Close Shave for Glue Beads

Before I knew better, I’d let the oozed glue harden when I was gluing and clamping boards together. But the thankless chore of scraping off the hardened glue beads, then sanding off the scraper scratches, taught me something: Ten minutes after tightening the clamps, shave off the glue bead with a utility knife blade. The bead will come off in a solid, pliable strip, leaving only a thin layer of glue to sand off once the joint is dry.

Plus: 45 brilliant gluing tips and tricks.