jaxs
Elite Member
Those clamps work but you should be using a few more.
Wood working clamps
- Thread starter tstex
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3Ts
Elite Member
If you're doing picture frames, your cuts need to be very accurate and I would suggest an endless loop ratchet strap with standoffs at each corner. I've not found any of the clamps intended for 90* clamping to be very good, they can't apply the pressure needed by the glue and the angle always seems to need shims to make the proper angle.
4570, should have started this woodworking earlier, maybe could have just come over to your place and outsourced everything. you have quite a collection of clamps there. We just moved from Franklin TN back Hou Tx...really a beautiful state w all 4 seasons...Middle Tn is really nice.
I'm in the process of trying to design a coffee table w about a 5ft L, 18-22" W and 24" H. I have no clamps right now, but would like to have two 5 Ft Clamps that can ratchet down to 2 ft. Is there such an animal or do 5ft [or the larger clamps] go to only a certain size, and if you need to go to 2 ft, you just use a smaller clamp? thank you
PS / including a bery crude drawing of the “coffee table” I would like to build. The top L & R will have 2 mounted animals & the bottom a stereo and a few other things, thx again
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4570Man
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Either pipe clamps or bar clamps are infinitely adjustable. A 5 foot long one will go all the way down to nothing. It’s kinda aggregating to use a long clamp for short clamp work though.
rScotty
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When I was learning boatbuilding the old boys had more clamps than I'd ever dreamed existed. As they explained it, the problem with most clamps is that they stay the same while the wood relaxes, making it hard to keep pressure on a joint.
Also, a lot of assemblies were rounded or scarfed - think of a 30 foot wooden mast made up of boards and blocks - but it is hard to clamp onto a rounded piece without sliding off.
They solved both problems by using three to ten foot lengths of 1" wide rubber strips cut out of old inner tubes, of which we had a barrel full. To use them they were wound multiple times around a joint. Keeping a little tension as you go, and with the final end tucked under a previous wind. Each turn adds more pressure. You would be amazed at how much final pressure is on that joint.
Another advantage was that laminations get slathered in glue which gets all over everything. But hardened glue would just pop right off the rubber strips when we unwound them.
rScotty
Also, a lot of assemblies were rounded or scarfed - think of a 30 foot wooden mast made up of boards and blocks - but it is hard to clamp onto a rounded piece without sliding off.
They solved both problems by using three to ten foot lengths of 1" wide rubber strips cut out of old inner tubes, of which we had a barrel full. To use them they were wound multiple times around a joint. Keeping a little tension as you go, and with the final end tucked under a previous wind. Each turn adds more pressure. You would be amazed at how much final pressure is on that joint.
Another advantage was that laminations get slathered in glue which gets all over everything. But hardened glue would just pop right off the rubber strips when we unwound them.
rScotty
timbatrader
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I have never bothered with shop bought clamps I just make a board and wedges as required I have several different sizes put away now that will do most things if I add a packer if not easy to make another set below is not an actual job I just chucked a few offcuts in to demonstrate the principle
3Ts
Elite Member
Here's something from Amazon that would work for an endless strap:
Endless Strap
As for the standoffs, I only use them for picture frames and you can make them yourself, it's just a block of wood (can be square or round) with a hole in the center and a quarter of it cut out centered on the hole so it's not pressing on the glue seam. You'd round over any corner of the blocks the strap crosses so the strap isn't cut. For your coffee table I would use bar clamps instead of the endless strap, although you could use either.
Since you are moving to the Houston Texas area, check out the Rockler store at 3265 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027. They should have everything you need and should be able to help you with any projects. Since it is a specialty store the products will be more expensive, but stop in and check them out.
3Ts
Elite Member
I agree with the bar and pipe clamps. With the pipe clamps you buy the end pieces, then go to the big box store for a pipe of whatever length you need. (I have ones from 2' up to 10' - length of pipe is the only limit and pipe sections can be connected together) Jest keep in mind the weight of the pipe and the twisting action and weight of the tail of the clamp. Also, the longer the clamp the more it will flex which may or may not affect your clamping - (usually not) the end pads contacting your wood will rotate some and you won't have even pressure on the pads and you could end up with indents. The way around that is to use a small block of wood between your work and the clamp pad.
Note: the wedges in post #17 work really really well, especially for flat pieces. For furniture, you'll still need clamps. There are specialty clamps for all kinds of things as well.
Note: the wedges in post #17 work really really well, especially for flat pieces. For furniture, you'll still need clamps. There are specialty clamps for all kinds of things as well.
