Gluing Coopered Columns

Columns made up of several pieces of wood are called coopered columns because they are made up of several staves like a barrel that is constructed by a cooper. They often come apart and need to be re-glued.  Being round, makes it difficult. Ribbon clamps should work well but I find they are often not strong enough to pull it together.

I make my own clamps using flexible strapping screwed to two pieces of wood cut at a slight curve like the column.  I bolt two pieces of strapping together so they are infinitely adjustable. This clamp combined with a bar clamp can really pull it together.

Here are the columns being glued.  The plywood at the end helps keep the staves in place so you can put the clamps on.

The bottoms of the columns are often rotted.  I have duplicated hundreds using my lathe.