visible glue line.

[Amateur]

Just finished a small table. The top is made from elm and three glued up boards using PVA glue.
Although the panels looked fairly matched when I dry fitted them together, on glue up and after sanding staining and top coat, I find that the glue line is very visible, well it is to me and doesn't look like a single board.
I'm sure someone will have had the same experience. I was considering re sanding then maybe darkening a little more with stain down both sides of the glue line????
Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[undergroundhunter]

PVA and finishes do not mix as the stain/varnish/wax cannot penetrate the glue, did you spring the joint? Could it be that you gap is too big? did you plane/sand/scrape the top after the glue had gone off?

Matt

 

[marcros]

The better way would be to cut down the joint, and start again. With a bit of luck you will only lose a little over 1/8".

 

[Amateur]

I had considered that cutting down the joint would probably the best way to go.

 

[undergroundhunter]

The better way would be to cut down the joint, and start again. With a bit of luck you will only lose a little over 1/8".

That's the fix but if you don't know the cause in the first place wha'ts stopping it happening again?

Matt

 

[Amateur]

Just got round to splitting the top, after removing the finish, and re glued.
When I re finished the top there was little evidence of a glue line.
Must just have been poor glue up on my behalf!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the advice!!

 

[custard]

Just got round to splitting the top, after removing the finish, and re glued.
When I re finished the top there was little evidence of a glue line.
Must just have been poor glue up on my behalf!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the advice!!

Good for you for setting yourself high standards and actually rectifying the problem.

 

[Mr T]

Glad you sorted it. How long did you leave the boards in the clamps first time round? If you took them out too soon the joints may have parted, especially if you had to use a lot of pressure to get them together in the first place.

Chris