I tried laminating a piece of 1/8" policarbonate (Lexan) between two pieces of 1/4" Baltic Birch with Gorilla Glue, for fins obviously, I did this twice ( two sandwiches ) the size of the laminations was 11"X15", I put both sandwiches between two solid concrete blocks, with wax paper between them so that they wouldn’t bond to each other, the concrete blocks were 16"x16"x3 3/4" each weighs better than 50 lbs and was dead flat, I checked, thus ensuring even pressure. When I removed the two laminations from between the blocks, min. 6 hours, the gorilla glue had expanded giving me a glue line of 1/32"!!! My laminations are now unuseable, what did I do wrong? Too much glue maybe? Too much moisture? What?
I need help!!
Thanks, Rolly.
Hey Rolly,
I feel your problem was a result of less than sufficient clamping pressure. The 50 pound block didn’t provide nearly the PSI pressure that clamping would give. The expanding nature of gorilla glue types of adhesives requires clamping pressure. If you try the same procedure next time, I would put a piece (or two) of 3/4 ply or MDF on each side of the glued up sandwich (with the wax paper divider), then put several evenly distributed clamps around the whole ensemble and ensure that you have adequate clamp reach to the center area also.
Richard
Thanks, I’ll try that, by the way I ended up foiling those blanks with a belt sander clamped upside down on my bench,
it worked but it was a royal b*tch, yesterday I bought myself a 4 1/2" DeWalt grinder, the difference is like night and day! I ought to listen to people right of the bat when they tell me something, thanks for the advice.
Rolly