To some extent, it depends on the epoxy you used. However, even assuming that it is slow set, you are probably all right removing the clamps as long as you don't stress the joint, and as long as temperatures during the cure have not been too cool. To be extra safe, you could remove the clamps gently, and tape splints over the joint before you move the board.

In any case, I suggest that if the left over epoxy on your tools or in your container is too hard to dent easily with a fingernail, you should be perfectly safe.

Good luck,

Allan Edie

: I set my first scarf joints yesterday for the gunwales. I sealed
: the respective pieces with unthickened epoxy per recommendations
: of posters here. I used wood flour to thicken the epoxy for the
: joints (I wasn't sure what kind of silica thickener to use, so I
: stuck with wood flour). The joints have been clamped up for
: about 18 hours now.

: I know that they aren't fully cured and strong, but as long as I
: don't put much stress on the joint, is it safe to remove the
: clamps and move the boards? I wanted to take the clamps off and
: use them for the rest of the scarfs. Or do I need to leave the
: boards clamped and in place for several days? It would be a good
: excuse to buy more clamps, but the real problem is that I don't
: have any more workspace to finish the other scarfs until I can
: move these boards out of the way.