Thread: Sash clamps

If they are the black ones that I am thinking of, they are so bad I took them back. Each one had the holes in a different spot, the length of thread wasn't long enough to cover the distance between some of the holes, the thread itself wasn't well cut, and the faces weren't square to the bar. Avoid them like the plague.

Good to know, I won't bother hunting them down if tthat'sthe case. Surprising really, wouldn't think a bar with holes in it and a screw would be hard to stuff up.

I'd suggest going to have a look. I bought some that are identical to that from Super Cheap Auto. Like you say they are hard to stuff up. Mine are fine.

I got some of the Super Cheap ones too and while not the worlds best are useable. Worked for my bench build and a few other jobs. I think they are less cost than the bunnies clamps. Bunnies also had Irwin clamps for about twice the money but did not look much better than those.
Regards
John.

Well it turns out the local bunnings (one of the smaller stores) doesn't seem to have them, might have to go on the hunt later on to see them for myself.

A couple of years ago I bought all 12 unbranded sash cramps at the auction of a defunct kitchen fabricator only to find that whilst all 4 blue ones were okay, 5 of the 8 red ones had female threads that were so badly forged that they slipped with just a moderate amount of pressure. No wonder they looked unused! So check for excess play and do them up tight in the shop to test before you buy.

Make your own out of some flat straight wood, a length of threaded steel rod, a few nuts, some dowel and a bit of epoxy.

Instructions can be found on YouTube, they work just as well as shop bought clamps and they are a hell of a lot cheaper.

I made a couple and they are still going strong. Only change I would make is to get threaded rod with bigger threads so it doesn't take so many revolutions to tighten. Plus, if you have a weird shaped item to clamp, you can whip up a new head to hold it perfectly.

You can also get bolt on clamp ends and add your own wood rail. I found this very handy when you need a really long clamp.

Regards
John

John where did you get them ?

Carbatec have them or least they are in their 2013 catalogue which I have open in front of me as I type this.
Groz heavy duty clamp heads

Hope that helps

Originally Posted by orraloon

You can also get bolt on clamp ends and add your own wood rail. I found this very handy when you need a really long clamp.

Regards
John

Do you have issues on long spans (say getting over the 1.5 metre mark) with the timber flexing?

I got my clamp ends at McJings for adout $22 per clamp. Couple of years back so perhaps more today.
As to long sections flexing you just have to be aware that it can happen and build them to cope with the stress. The longer the span then the deeper section timber used. Those ones were made for a queen bed project as I did not have anything that long. They did the job very well.
Regards
John

I use Frontline Clamp system, it is designed as a panel clamp but it can be used as a sash clamp, it can be connected to form a much longer panel/sash clamp.

The photo below is the standard 1.2m clamp, can be converted to a 1.2m clamp or 2.4m sash clamp easily. yes, you can do a 2.4m panel clamp as per photo.

The system is effective but its about $1000 AUD per pair as shown

2013-06-17 19 21 38_resized.jpg

$1,000!!! Holy cow. I'll stick with the sash cramps from Super Cheap I think...