Panel glue-ups go a lot smoother when the work is raised off the bench. Using risers or standoffs gives you room to maneuver clamps without shifting boards. The downside is that glue squeeze-out can bond your project to the risers, creating extra cleanup and frustration.
The fix is simple. Before setting up a glue-up, apply a strip of packing tape to the top of each riser. Wood glue won’t stick to the tape, so any squeeze-out flakes right off once it dries. When the tape gets worn or covered in glue, just peel it off and apply a fresh strip.
This small step saves time and keeps your shop jigs in good shape. It works especially well for edge-glued panels, tabletops, and larger glue-ups where clamps are packed in tight.
Sometimes the best woodworking tips are the simplest. A roll of packing tape is all it takes to make your glue-ups cleaner, faster, and less frustrating.
