About Us / Frequently Asked Questions

JLT Clamps
2949 Lee's Chapel Rd
Browns Summit, NC 27214

Toll Free: 1-800-901-8037
Local: 336-375-3232
Fax: 336-375-1112
Email: jlt@jamesltaylor.com
Sales Manager / Main Contact: Chris Hacker
Vice President: Craig Caldwell

***We Accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover **

"The Leader in Clamping Systems"
The JLT Clamps Manufacturing facility is located just minutes north of Greensboro, North Carolina in the Piedmont Triad area. Our 28,000 square foot facility is home to Manufacturing, Engineering, Sales and Customer Service Departments. In addition, our factory has been recently updated with new hoists, a CNC machining center and a new automatic cutoff saw. Also a new building has been erected for warehousing and future production needs. We are continuously looking for ways to improve and increase the quality of our machinery as to better serve our customers.

JLT Clamps is a division of James L. Taylor Manufacturing which has been producing edge-gluing equipment in Poughkeepsie, NY since 1911. The JLT division was established in 1995 by Michael Burdis (President of James L. Taylor Mfg.) and Doug Capers with the concept of creating high quality clamping systems for the small to medium size custom cabinet/woodworking shops. Our machines are specifically designed to increase production and quality while saving on valuable shop floor space. Over the years the JLT product line has expanded to offer innovative machines such as the very successful Pneumatic Miter Door Clamp and Rotating Miter Door Pro. In addition the Buddy System Combo Clamp, Entry Door Clamp and Multi Level Panel Clamps has proven to be a great asset in many woodworking shops throughout North America.

We now offer our product line in 3 distinct categories. The "Stock Series Product Line" consists of
our most popular clamping systems, featuring " THE Original Miter Door Clamp". You will find a complete line of Pneumatic Door Clamps, 3 models of Panel Clamps, 5 models of Buddy Systems and the Pneumatic Dovetail Drawer Clamp. These machines will normally be in stock and ready for immediate shipping. In addition, all Door Clamps and Drawer Clamps are shipped completely set up for a quick and easy installation.

The " Pro Series Product Line" is a group of high production rotating machines that increase production and quality. We are proud to offer "The Original Miter Door Pro" which comes in 2 models. The Miter Door Pro and Dual Station Miter Door Pro have proven to be a great success since its inception at IWF 2004. Also an Original is the JLT Pneumatic Door Pro and the JLT Panel Pro which are our most affordable and most popular models in the Pro Series Line. All are 5 section rotating machines for increased production. Made of 100% steel construction for long lasting durability, these machines are commercial grade - guaranteed to last through the years in a high production large shop environment. In addition the JLT Cabinet Door & Frame Clamp is a newly updated design of the old Lancaster Door Clamp. Heavy Duty like the Lancaster with some upgraded features like Vertical Power Setup and PLC operated Control Box.

Our Glue Applicators, Panel Flattener and Accessory Product Line features everything you need to complement your JLT Door Clamp and/or Panel Clamp. Three models of Glue spreaders available Electric Driven Roller Spreader, Redi Spreader and Door Stile Spreader which are quick and easy to use with no messy clean up. There is a Manual and Pneumatic Panel Flattener for pressing down flat bowed boards on your JLT Panel Clamp. Also Available are Rocker Plates Jaw Extensions and larger size clamps up to 52" Long. These new product line categories are designed to help you find the best possible JLT clamping machine for your production needs.

Our goal is a commitment to excellence in producing the highest quality clamping machinery in the marketplace today. We offer a 100% Customer Service Satisfaction Guarantee because we believe our customers are our greatest asset. Clamping Machinery is our specialty with a primary focus on striving to be the best at what we do in the woodworking industry. As an American manufacturer, JLT Clamps is proud to say we are "Made in the USA".

Frequently Asked Questions

Start out with a square joint. Do not apply an excessive amount of glue. Our clamps are designed for industrial use. We offer a very rigid, wide clamp body on which to set the boards that will be glued and clamped. Also, our clamp jaws have a 1 degree "toe in" which provides a slight downward force on the panel.

How long do I have to leave a panel in your clamps?
There are variables which determine how long a panel remains under clamping pressure. Shop temperature, type of glue, species of wood being glued to name a few. One manufacturer of glue (type PVA) suggests leaving a panel in clamps from 10 to 30 minutes.

How many clamps can be used on the 6' , 8' and 12' Panel Clamp?
The 6' , 8' and 12' Panel Clamp is offered with a standard quantity of clamps and priced accordingly. The type of product and required production help determine the clamp capacity. The 6' Panel Clamp can hold 20 clamps, the 8' Panel Clamp, 30 clamps and the 12' Panel Clamp, 50 clamps.

What happens when my business grows and I need more production from my maxed out Panel Clamp?
The clamps on the Panel Clamp are the same clamps that you will find on the James L. Taylor Clamp Carriers. The clamps require different mounting plates (about a $4.00 cost per clamp) for use on our Clamp Carrier.

Do I have to drain the glue from the applicator after each use?
The Redi Spreader, Plate Spreader and Door Stile Spreader have covers. A light mist of water sprayed on the PVA glue surface keeps the glue from skimming over and with the cover in place the glue remains available for daily use.

Does the Door Stile Spreader come with different profiles?
We include an 18" long piece of UHMW plastic with each Door Stile Spreader. You can produce your customized profile by running the plastic bar thru your shaper.

What is the longest length board I can apply glue to with the Redi Spreader and Plate Spreader?
The perforated aluminum grid on the Redi Spreader is 6" x 27". Since the grid rises above the container of glue you would set a longer length board on it twice. If this "double dipping" is too time consuming then our Plate Spreader should be considered because the perforated aluminum grid is 8" wide x 48" long.

With the Door Clamp, how long do I have to keep my cabinet door under clamping pressure?
Clamping time varies for several reasons: If you glue and pin your doors you can take the cabinet door out of the clamps right after pinning the four corners. If you only glue your door, the time the door remains under clamping pressure depends on ambient shop temperature, species of wood being used, tightness of joints, type of adhesive being used, etc. We have talked to Door Clamp users who remove their glued only doors in as little as 5 minutes.

How much air pressure (psi) do I need to run the Door Clamp?
We recommend that 40 psi be your initial setting. Some doors require different settings, but that is easily accomplished with the air pressure regulator and gage located on the back left side of the Door Clamp.

How much force does the Door Clamp produce?
There are 3 diaphragm cylinders on the Door Clamp. (5 on the Double Door Clamp). There is a 20 square inch diaphragm on each cylinder. Depending on the PSI setting the clamping pressure will produce approximately 800 to 1600# of force.