Quick Repair Tip: Elevate your work surface beforehand for ease of access

[vintageparlors]

I don't know why I didn't think of this years before I did. I finally figured out that by elevating or suspending what I was trying to clamp, ahead of time, I could avoid the many spills, tip-overs, smudges and epics fails that come with trying to hold four things at the same time with only two hands.

Case in point is trying to brace a top that lays flat on the workbench. It's really difficult to hold the top AND glue and set the brace AND position the caul underneath the brace AND position and secure the first clamp without everything falling over in a big heap. Instead, I start the process by raising up the top using ratchet clamps so I don't need to bother with trying to hold the top steady AND try to do everything else. Once elevated, I can set the pre-glued brace in place and clamp it down without everything tipping every which way.

Photo shows three ratchet clamps(forming a triangle) keeping the top stable while I secure the first brace in place. The top will remain elevated until the whole bracing job is complete.

I know...I surprise myself sometimes.

[Fathand]

You mention trying to position cauls, I sometimes attach them to the work with masking tape so they stay where I want them while clamping.