Clamping a simple butt joint

[Dave Bagwill]

Hola Amigos - see the picture of the butt joint? I want to glue that up using titebond.
These are small pieces of wood - about 3" long, 1/2" thick.
Can't figure out how to clamp it and keep it all lined up. I know, I know....basic joinery..but still, just using an F-clamp causes things to get squirrely. Without buying a gadget, what clamping 'magic' would you work?

[peter havriluk]

I had a similar problem, I was making a neck block/fingerboard block and also needed to keep the two pieces at right angles to each other. Not being a woodworker, I made up some l-shaped 'things' out of plywood, making the inside cuts as true a right angle as I could, and clamped the two bits to the insides of my bracketry. Worked fine, didn't cost much of anything, made them out of scrap plywood. Rockler sells similar things for a suitable price, but I was satisfied with the precision of the brackets I made out of plywood. And I'm cheap.

[Dave Bagwill]

Thanks Peter, pretty much what I'd figured I have to do.
Strange that we do all sort of joinery in 'the craft' but this simple thing isn't that simple.

[Herman]

Hey Dave,

I would clamp that like making a headstock to a neck.
Clamp one down on its side and dry clamp the other to it. Use a square to check and shim things to its right position.
If you do the right prep, it won't be a big deal.
And if you are an uncertain person (are you Dave?) or you have a doubtful joint, use epoxy.
1ct
Herman

[Dave Bagwill]

Okey-dokey, will do it.
Thanks H, hi to A!