In this video I show how to glue up boards into a table top panel using panel clamps. I’m also giving away a bunch of awesome gifts, including a matching set of these Damstom Panel Clamps, at the bottom of this blog post. Most of my winners say they’ve never won anything in their lives, so it can happen to you…make sure you enter!

How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
I first stand the boards on end (on the bottom parts of the panel clamps) and apply an even stroke of wood glue (I regularly use this type of Titebond wood glue and this type of liquid hide glue). Most of the time I use cheap foam brushes like this, and sometimes I use a small paint brush. If I can’t find either I just use a thin scrap of wood and my fingers. You don’t have to use panel clamps to glue up panels, but I find that it helps with keeping the boards from popping up.

How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
You don’t need to put glue on both sides. Drop the board down and rub them back and forth to evenly spread the glue. 
How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
Then I add the top bars, insert the other pins, and press down on the first top bar:
How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
While holding the panel clamp bar down, I tighten the hand screw. Notice that I use a small scrap of wood to prevent marring the edge of the wood:

How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
I don’t fully tighten the first clamp yet, but first repeat the above steps on the second panel clamp, then rotate tightening them a bit until they’re both snug (like tightening lugnuts on a car wheel). Just make sure all the boards are level with each other when you’re tightening. And if your panel is wider, you can add another clamp like this:

How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
This model is the Damstom D300 38-inch black edition (here). It runs about $59 per clamp (comparable to most parallel clamps, like these). Damstom also has a 24-inch panel clamp, but I find the longer clamps to be more useful as most table tops will be over 24-inches wide. If you want a better tutorial on using these clamps than what I provided, check out these tutorial videos on Damstom’s website.

THE GIVEAWAY

How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps

THE GIVEAWAY ITEMS:

This giveaway is open until February 13th (11:59 pm) to people over 18 years old in the U.S.A. and around the world. And I’m giving away a bunch of awesome items from Damstom and from my new online store:

How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps

GIVEAWAY #1: Two Damstom D300 38-inch panel clamps (valued at $120) for the first winner in the lower 48 states.

How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps

GIVEAWAY #2: I’m giving away two free digital downloads of one of my two most recent woodworking videos (watch the previews here) to (a) one person outside the United States (international) and to (b) one person within the United States (all 50 states).

How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps

GIVEAWAY #3: One of my new traditional woodworking T-shirts (see the selection here). This is for the runner-up winner in the United States.

How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps

GIVEAWAY #4: One of my woodworking Gifts and Gizmos (on this page of my store) for one of the runner-ups in the United States:

How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps

HOW DO YOU WIN?

It’s super easy to enter! The contest is open to all my blog subscribers (subscribe here if you haven’t done so already…don’t worry, it’s free). All you have to do is go to my new Topic Index page (here) and browse through my now easy-to-find articles, and click on the one that you find most interesting. Leave a nice comment at the bottom of one of your favorite articles, and at the end of your comment, add which video you’d like to win if you don’t win the clamps. And also type which gift (T-shirt design, mug design, or iPhone case design) you’d like if you don’t win the clamps or the videos. Also tell me which country and/or state you live in. I’ll randomly select winners, and post the winners right here on February 14th (Valentine’s Day)…so check back. I’ll also announce the winners on my Twitter page and Facebook page. If winners don’t contact me (here) within 48 hours, then I’ll pick new winners.

***WINNERS ANNOUNCED (02/14/2017):

The WoodAndShop.com giveaway winners that were randomly chosen are:

GIVEAWAY #1: “Two Damstom D300 38-inch panel clamps“: Jeff Milde from South Carolina

GIVEAWAY #2: “Two Free Digital Woodworking Video Downloads“:

     (a) International winner:  Tassos from Cyprus selected: “Building the Historic Howarth Bow Saw with Bill Anderson”

     (b) Domestic winner: Richard Maske from Michigan selected: ““Building the Hancock Shaker Candle Stand with Will Myers”

GIVEAWAY #3: “One of my new traditional woodworking T-shirts“: Jason T. selected: “Stanley 45 Combination Plane T-shirt

GIVEAWAY #4:One of my woodworking Gifts and Gizmos“: Christopher Sherwin from New Jersey selected: “Stanley 45 Combination Plane Mug (Blue)

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Travis Reese
Travis Reese
February 6, 2017 1:25 pm

Really cool clamps. Oddly, the other thing I found useful was using the tool tray on the bench as a clamp support/caul to place a bar clamp on the panels. I never thought of that. I’ll be using that technique next time. I’d love to win the clamps but if not the bow saw video would be great. Any t-shirt would be great but I’d like the Wood and Shop logo to advertise. Since I live in Fredericksburg it’s good… Read more »

Planespokin
PlaneSpokin
February 6, 2017 1:37 pm

The clamps are awesome. Although, the thing I really liked was the technique of using the tool tray as a way to secure a clamp on the panel and serve as a caul. I’ll be using that next time. I think the clamps would be great to win, but if not the bowsaw video looks awesome or a “Wood and Shop” logo t-shirt is a great way to represent. I’m in Fredericksburg, so it is cool to see you and… Read more »

Gilberto Galindo Hurtado
Gilberto Galindo Hurtado
February 6, 2017 1:43 pm

Well, my comment is as usual, leading to let know to all the people, not only woodworkers, that being self capable of make your own furnitures or small things useful in all homes makes a man or woman feel happy in an internal way. I imagine our ancesters how they was in this way making more and more sophisticated sort of things, until reach the ones we enjoy.
Thanks

Fred Mcclure
fred mcclure
February 6, 2017 1:57 pm

i like the dimensioning wood article. i never seem to get it right but at least you give the way to do it

Vitaly
Vitaly
February 6, 2017 2:18 pm

Hello,
Thank you for the content and constant efforts. My most favorite video on your youtube channel is “Frank Klausz Woodworking Workshop Tour” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrtiqkyVaBY If it is possible i would like to participate in the giveaway event and it looks like the woodworking video is my only option :) Shaker candle Stand. Cheers,
Vitaly

Vitaly
Vitaly
February 6, 2017 2:19 pm

Hello,
Thank you for the content and constant efforts. My most favorite video on your youtube channel is “Frank Klausz Woodworking Workshop Tour” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrtiqkyVaBY If it is possible i would like to participate in the giveaway event and it looks like the woodworking video is my only option :) Shaker candle Stand. Cheers,
Vitaly

Kristjan Pärnamägi
Kristjan Pärnamägi
February 6, 2017 3:26 pm

Those clamps seems to be quite good ones. For a giveaway T-Shirt or mug design I leave to you, but size is M. Address is Ööbiku 2a-13, Tallinn 11312, Estonia

George L
George L
February 6, 2017 4:14 pm

Those clamps look sweet! Thanks for posting. I’m staring down the barrel of a new 7′ long farm table build this spring. I have to give them a try! (add me to give-away #1 for those clamps)

Nik Burkeen
Nik burkeen
February 6, 2017 8:10 pm

Starting my own shop these clamps would be a great intro diction to the shop. Your article on how to pick out wood was really helpful. The red shirt if I don’t get the clamps

Jason Moore
Jason Moore
February 6, 2017 8:47 pm

These clamps look amazing. I’m going to have get some (if I dont win one). ANY of your shirts would be fine and dandy!

Mike In Tn
Mike In TN
February 6, 2017 9:49 pm

As always, another fine article. I am always amazed at the quality and quantity of the content in your site. It is hard to choose between the videos but I believe that the Howarth Bow Saw would win out If you are going to be kind enough to give away the gifts then I would definitely have to go with a shirt that promotes Wood and Shop site and color does not matter. Keep up the good work and have… Read more »

Timothy Gager
Timothy Gager
February 7, 2017 4:50 am

Thank You I Ordered 2 Pair of Damstom Panel Clamps To do My Work Bench Table Top . GREAT Video

Thomas Maurer
Thomas Maurer
February 7, 2017 6:09 am

Dear Youshua,

thank you so much for your series of workshop videos loaded with helpful and supporting advices and nevertheless having the air of a lecture in meditation. I appreciate that very much and as well your workshop, house and the area around.

With my best regards
Thomas

Paul Swalina
Paul Swalina
February 7, 2017 8:09 am

It would be very hard to pick out one particular video when they are all so awesome. I’m going to get a set of those clamps. I posted your video on the clamps to my Facebook page. I look forward to you every one of the emails that I get from you.

Roger
Roger
February 7, 2017 9:20 am

These look to be a very nice set of clamps. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and fine work of your projects

Roger
Roger
February 7, 2017 9:30 am

Great clamps. I will definitely add those to the list. For a video- probably the bow saw.

Alan Wilson
Alan Wilson
February 7, 2017 10:46 am

Nice Clamps!!! Howarth Bow Saw video, Any T-Shirt ( Large) they are all cool. Alabama

Oltexasboy
oltexasboy
February 7, 2017 12:11 pm

I would like to leave a nice comment on “one” of your projects or vids but I find a lot of them valuable and helpful in a lot of respects so it’s like picking your favorite child, so to speak. I am a retired mechanic and restarted doing wood work after I retired so I needed a lot of help going from remodeling the old houses me and my family lived in over the years, to actually doing hand tool… Read more »

Vince Brytus
Vince Brytus
February 7, 2017 1:45 pm

I have tried a number of techniques to address this issue and they all have their pros and cons. I would like to give these a try and would buy more if I was happy. As an alternative the video on the candle stick stand would be great. I’ve had a large walnut crotch and a 4 ‘ x 4″ walnut cylinder sitting in my shop for several years to make just a this project. I even have a spider… Read more »

Mihailo Milisavljevich
Mihailo Milisavljevich
February 7, 2017 2:52 pm

Awesome video glad I came across your sight. I am new to wood working but have a long history of it in my family. Currently stationed right up the road cool to see you are so close. Would love to check out your candle stand video or anything with your logo to show my support. Thanks for all you do.

Clif Beck
Clif Beck
February 7, 2017 5:57 pm

My favorite article at this time is “Introduction to Buying Chisels”. I am retired in Texas, and have a shop set up in my garage, and aside from woodworking I enjoy frequenting estate sales where I find a lot of vintage hand tools that I can give new life to. I find it very interesting to research the history of the many tool makers and their commitment to making quality products. I am one of the few still alive, lucky… Read more »

Russell Clark
Russell Clark
February 7, 2017 6:51 pm

are they steel

Lee Hockman
Lee Hockman
February 7, 2017 8:06 pm

My favorite was “Artisan Tree Carver in Virginia,” but it would not let me leave a comment because it said “comments are closed.” All of the articles I looked at had the same notation at their ends. I have a deep fascination and appreciation for wood artists and try to gain knowledge from them all. I like to carve, but I’ve never tried it with a chainsaw. Seeing how he turned his vision into credible art gives me incentive to… Read more »

Fred Zimmerman
Fred Zimmerman
February 7, 2017 9:09 pm

i have always had a problem with boards bowing up with my pipe clamps i used a shim between the pipe and the boards to flatten th top does not always work now the damson clamps solves the problem thanks

Stan Kennedy
stan kennedy
February 7, 2017 9:57 pm

great looking clamps…

Luke Tein
Luke Tein
February 7, 2017 11:49 pm

I have seen these clamps in the rockler store and always wondered how the worked now i cant wait to get a couple panels will be a breeze

Tass
tass
February 8, 2017 2:06 am

Hey Joshua, Hello from Cyprus, Wow lovely clamps. My favourite video is the one which you dimension a rough board. That was very helpful for me as I am new to woodworking. Thanks for taking us through that process in such detail. I’d love to win the clamps, but if not the bow saw video would be lovely. I really like the tshirt wood and shop. Nevertheless, any tshirt would be great (Medium please), and any mug. Keep those videos… Read more »

Pam Peerce-Landers
Pam Peerce-Landers
February 8, 2017 9:02 am

Thanks for showing us how these clamps work. Would really like to win them because we have dozens of cabinets to build. If not, would like the video of the a Shaker table, or the brown tee shirt with your logo or the coffee mug.

Pam Peerce-Landers
Pam Peerce-Landers
Reply to  Pam Peerce-Landers
February 8, 2017 9:03 am

Forgot. I live in Pennsylvania

Woodyhg
WoodyHg
February 9, 2017 8:40 am

Some of the posts I enjoy most don’t have comments open anymore or just don’t have a comments section? Anyway each post is super informative and will be my go-to reference for things like understanding cuts of lumber, milling rough stock. If not the clamps I’d love the video on the Bow Saw, and if not the video then a black “got wood?” shirt would be great. I live in Pennsylvania.

Parraj
Parraj
February 9, 2017 3:43 pm

Great video and awesome clamp. I’d love to win the clamps for myself. If I can’t win the clamps then a mug would be awesome as well. Or a t shirt. Any one would do just make it really big. Biggest you got please. Thanks. Also I reviewed your 7 steps to choosing wood. Great video. I relatively new to woodworking and it cleared up a lot for me. Thanks again.

Planepaul
PlanePaul
February 14, 2017 9:04 am

Thank you for all of your instructional videos, they are very helpful.

Video to win – Shaker Candlestand
T-shirt
Paul from PA, USA.

Wooden Thumbs
February 17, 2017 8:49 pm

Ouch. I’m flat on my back from gluing up a table top. Herniated disc and sciatica. The culprit? 16′ long, 43″ wide, 2″ think farm table. I’m getting too old for flipping around bulky, heavy stuff like that.
Thanks for working so hard to rekindle this wonderful lost art.

David A. Thomas
June 6, 2021 4:23 pm

This video is very amazing and very helpful in my personal work.

Hetal Vaghela
Hetal Vaghela
Reply to  David A. Thomas
June 8, 2021 5:32 am

Great to hear that.

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How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps
How To Glue Up A Table Panel With Panel Clamps