Is there a way to loosen/dissolve the wood glue that has dried on the steel bars of the Bessey K-Body clamps? I realize it can probably be sanded off or scraped off with a blade or wire brush, but was hoping for something a little less aggressive. I checked w/Mr. Internet but did not see anything more promising that trying vinegar, but I think that was in relation to wood dried on/in glue. Any thoughts?
While we are at it, PLEASE stop allowing glue to get on/dry on the clamps (any clamps). Protecting the steel surfaces with blue tape, or wax paper, or even newspaper (which can be sanded clean later) works fine and helps keep the clamps from being effectively ruined.
Most of the glue is probably Titebond II and III, which are ‘supposed’ to be either water resistant or water-proof, respectively.
As you allude, very few lubricants will leave bare wood unharmed, as in not ruining it for finishing purposes. the steel bars that are the problem are where they come into contact with the project. I am not familiar with Beolube, but will investigate it. But for purpose you are suggesting, simple paste wax would probably suffice, but not stop the glue problem completely.
Would be very interested on opinions regarding this idea…
I always use an old, metal paint scraper to remove wood glue and hot glue from the metal work tables in my shop. It normally comes off of metal with very little effort when scraping.
Hmm, lasers, that could be a fun idea. We just need one in the few kilowatt range set to sweep the whole room once a day and burn off anything not metal…
a brass wire wheel on an angle grinder works great for removing old glue from Clamps. I’ve been using on on my Bessy clamps for years with no visible damage or loss of clamping pressure.
There are a lot of things you can do and those mentioned here will work. But most often you don’t, you get busy and forget, out of wax paper, can’t find the tape.
