Thread: Panel Max glue press

Originally Posted by John Samuel

A few years ago there was a thread here where several shop-made versions were displayed ... steel and alloy square sections were used if memory serves ... but I can't find it quickly. A diligent search should uncover it.

Thank for that mate. I will have a bit of a dig and see what I can find.

But it is in Russian.

Originally Posted by bubblegoose

Thank for that mate. I will have a bit of a dig and see what I can find.

Clamps

I can't see the pictures on that old thread, but the bars were just 50 by 25 steel section from Mitre 10. I welded a nut onto the end of the thread, rather than using a knob, so I could tighten with a ratchet. The only thing I had trouble with was the swivel on the other end of the thread, but I ended up with something that was good enough.

They worked really well, and you can easily make extra bars of any length if you ever need them.

Originally Posted by Glennet

Clamps

I can't see the pictures on that old thread, but the bars were just 50 by 25 steel section from Mitre 10. I welded a nut onto the end of the thread, rather than using a knob, so I could tighten with a ratchet. The only thing I had trouble with was the swivel on the other end of the thread, but I ended up with something that was good enough.

They worked really well, and you can easily make extra bars of any length if you ever need them.

Thanks for that, there is some really good info there. I'm going to throw something together today in Fusion today hopefully and see how it all works. I have a few ideas that alter from what I have seen, my main concern is how they interact with smaller pieces of timer (say less than 10mm) so they cover all my bases.

Originally Posted by Glennet

Clamps

I can't see the pictures on that old thread, but the bars were just 50 by 25 steel section from Mitre 10. I welded a nut onto the end of the thread, rather than using a knob, so I could tighten with a ratchet. The only thing I had trouble with was the swivel on the other end of the thread, but I ended up with something that was good enough.

They worked really well, and you can easily make extra bars of any length if you ever need them.

I couldn't see the pics either, so I tried in another browser thinking that my addblockers might have something to do with it, but no success. Had no idea how much annoying advertising was on this site though, glad I have addblockers.

Originally Posted by bubblegoose

Thanks for that, there is some really good info there. I'm going to throw something together today in Fusion today hopefully and see how it all works. I have a few ideas that alter from what I have seen, my main concern is how they interact with smaller pieces of timer (say less than 10mm) so they cover all my bases.

Pay particular attention to the swivel then because if the foot rotates as you turn the thread it will try to squirm off the work.

I have, in the last 3 WORKING days, decided on, contacted Aldav, bought a Panel Max starter set plus an extension set at prices FOR FORUM MEMBERS that appear to be less than this .... AND started to assemble after the courier delivered it TODAY!
I’m in the act of deciding where to mount it. I have a convenient 1.8m-ish length of wall with a wheeled drill press and bandsaw parked against it which would be a good, if short permanent location AND, I’m thinking for longer panels, I could use the uprights on the shed verandah as supports for occasional use?
Ill post some pics after the confusion subsides........ possibly 2020?

That was pretty quick wasn't it fletty, sometimes the couriers get it right. When you assemble them make sure the black plastic stabilising foot is on the front member of each clamp. This is something that isn't spelled out in the instructions and they're sometimes in the wrong position in online videos/tutorials as well. Nothing wrong with using whatever comes handy for any over-length glue-ups. One shopfitter who bought 6 clamps sent me a picture with about 1400mm of panel hanging out the end with various parallel jaw clamps and cauls holding that end together. Looked a bit ungainly, but it worked!

Have a look at this online tutorial, it's for the Plano branded clamps, but it's one of the better ones and gives you a good idea of how everything is supposed to be put together and work - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69K6KRd6mbI

Fletty, if a numpty turner like me can install and use these clamps in a matter of minutes, a gentleman woodworker should be able to
Panel Clamps.jpg

Originally Posted by fletty

I have, in the last 3 WORKING days, decided on, contacted Aldav, bought a Panel Max starter set plus an extension set at prices that appear to be less than this .... AND started to assemble after the courier delivered it TODAY!
I’m in the act of deciding where to mount it. I have a convenient 1.8m-ish length of wall with a wheeled drill press and bandsaw parked against it which would be a good, if short permanent location AND, I’m thinking for longer panels, I could use the uprights on the shed verandah as supports for occasional use?
Ill post some pics after the confusion subsides........ possibly 2020?

Originally Posted by fletty

Ill post some pics after the confusion subsides........ possibly 2020?

Originally Posted by aldav

Have a look at this online tutorial, it's for the Plano branded clamps, but it's one of the better ones and gives you a good idea of how everything is supposed to be put together and work - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69K6KRd6mbI

Originally Posted by Pat

Fletty, if a numpty turner like me can install and use these clamps in a matter of minutes, a gentleman woodworker should be able to

thanks for the link aldav

”numpty”........?

I thought I was doing really well until, as so often happens when the hardware is all in little plastic bags, I found some black plastic parts and springs LEFT OVER? Mind you, I had only just finished mowing the back paddock when the courier arrived and I doubt that I had re-engaged the brain

Fletty, the left overs are spares . . .

Originally Posted by Pat

Fletty, the left overs are spares . . .

Yup, got it now.....

6B0F5AB7-CE14-4ACA-9E12-E390DDB63AF2.jpg

leftover parts...

D79CEDFE-499B-42AB-AA91-803ACA88FF04.jpg

..... when folded....

2856BF3A-3A3D-47FE-A47A-BDA951D9E303.jpg

= replacements for top assembly latch!

In keeping with the record breaking acquisition process, the installation process is now also complete!

It is mounted on a wall.....

62D6F5F3-6F2E-4004-B299-8A6812F0AE7E.jpg

AND, in the 98.7% of the time it is not in use, the wheeled drill press and detail bandsaw are parked in front of it.

BE7A6238-8E2A-4114-BD08-F0ED44892EE6.jpg
I’m about to start one of those 1.3% jobs to glue up a shelf for the marble topped dresser and will report back!

You will wonder why you didn’t go down this path years ago. Brilliant system. I have 13 clamp elements in my creative space.a couple of weeks ago I clamped up a 3.5m benchtop and could still work without tripping over stuff.

enjoy Fletty.