Cheap Clamps

[tgiro]

Since my bandsaw will only resaw 6 inch wide boards, I'm constantly gluing two halves together to get the width I need for a project. Using three foot long pipe clamps to glue these thin panels was really clumsy.

I searched the web for some smaller clamps, 12 - 24 inches, and was facing a cost of $20 - $40 dollars per clamp. A few days ago, I was searching through a cabinet for some wood axles, I tripped over a frame clamping system made up of some 3/8-inch threaded rod and some aluminum angle pieces. What a concept.

A trip to the Borg got me a 6-foot piece of 3/8-inch threaded rod and some wing-nuts, hex nuts, & washers -- cost about $10. My trusty hacksaw made the 6-foot rod into three 2-foot rods.

Then I ripped a piece of 2X4 pine into two inch wide pieces and chopped those into 2-inch long blocks. I then drilled 3/8-inch holes through the blocks - end-to-end - with the grain. I drilled the holes 3/4-inch from one side of the block. I put a 'T' on the side of the block that is on top.

Slide two blocks on a rod, put a washer and a hex nut on one end of the rod and a wingnut and washer on the other end of the rod. Viola - three small clamps, with a capacity for about 19 inches for less than the cost of one clamp.

Since I can't explain anything very well -- pictures included --

The idea worked well enough, that the next trip through the Borg, I got enough rod and nuts & washers to make three more sets of three clamps.

Tony

[minowevie]

Tony, those are pretty cool. I would like to sugjest, one or two clamps for the top. just to keep it from bowing. great idea. your friend Evie

[wood-n-things]

Pretty inventive...Thanks for sharing.

[JohnB]

G'day Tony,
Great idea mate.

[ncsealeveler]

Like it,pretty good thinking there Tony from another Tony.

[sawdustus]

Wonderfully frugal idea Tony. I second Evie's comment about using some on top to prevent bowing. I also would not want them to be much longer since the clamping pressure could cause the threaded rod to bend and introduce a bow into the newly clamped board.

george

[georgewoodie]

tgiro:

To add to Evie's suggestion, I use that system for edge gluing but place a varnished and waxed piece of MDF underside and across the glue line. My MDF is backed with metal angle rod to give it some body and the waxed surface will not stick to any glue squeeze out.

I also run a piece of masking tape to either side of the glue line, front and back. I want to keep the glue off the wood to avoid finish problems. Sometimes i will start with a coat of polyurathane before glue up to keep glue off the project where i do not want it.

Woodie

[Wood Dog]

Love project pictures......gives food for thought. Thanks for sharing your tip. It's amazing what can be accomplished when we THINK.

[tgiro]

Originally Posted by minowevie

Tony, those are pretty cool. I would like to sugjest, one or two clamps for the top. just to keep it from bowing. great idea. your friend Evie

Your right, Evie, and I normally do. Just didn't this time for the photo.