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Thread: Panel clamps (WIP)
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18th April 2007, 11:36 PM #1Member
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Panel clamps (WIP)
Hello all,
Had some spare time today so decided to start making some panel clamps. I bought some SHS, flat bar, threaded rod and some hardware and played in the shed for a few hours this afternoon. Rather enjoyable really even if I didn't make any saw dust.
I quickly put the bars together so I could check the operation of the end levers and I that I had the hole spacing set right. They are a little rough and will need to have some of the edges cleaned up, some spatter ground off and a coat of paint before they are ready. The 4 bars in the pictures are the adjustible lengths for the 4 sets of clamps. I am still to cut the other 4 non drilled bars later. Now that I have the hole spacing correct I can make the other levers also. This will give me 4 sets of panel clamps.
Each clamp is 900mm long and capable of clamping over 600mm by may calculations but will confirm with measuremenst later. I wanted this design so I could make longer versions by simply cutting longer lengths of SHS and reusing the levers. I will mostly use the smaller ones and they take up less room. The thickness that can fit in the clamps is from 32mm to 52mm without spacers. Thinner boards will need spacing of some sort.
Steel cost $71.50, threaded rod and other hardware $23.00.
Anyway, plese comment if you see something I have missed. They are still a work in process so haven't actually been tested.
Cheers,
buz.
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18th April 2007 11:36 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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19th April 2007, 12:05 AM #2
Hi Buz,
Looks good so far, well done. I look forward to seeing them in action!
Cheers,Andy Mac
Change is inevitable, growth is optional.
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19th April 2007, 12:05 AM #3
Makes a cheap set of clamps. Question do you intend to make them quick adjusting as per cheapy sets eg weld some angle pieces along 1 side, hope that makes sense
CheersMike
"Working to a rigidly defined method of doubt and uncertainty"
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19th April 2007, 12:16 AM #4Member
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2nd May 2007, 06:55 AM #5Novice
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Hi Buz,
Great thread! Thanks for sharing.
I have been thunking for a while how to make up a permanent panel frame clamp. Needs to be 4000 long and 2500 high. Set up permanently against the wall for making of bench-tops/table tops/panelled doors etc.
The thickness of timber ranges from 15mm to 40mm so I will have to adapt your threaded bar a bit. I like the idea of the bars keeping the timber flat during glue-up. Something a sash cramp cannot do.
I looked at the Carbatec and other commercial units but the price put me off. Your posting has given me a jump start at actually cutting steel and getting on with the job.
Many tnx,
Art
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2nd May 2007, 10:32 AM #6
Buzsaw
What are the dimensions of the square tube you have used? Not length but cross section dimensions including wall thickness.
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2nd May 2007, 02:56 PM #7
Hi
Yes, it is a great thread and useful panel clamp, but don't expect it to work over those sizes 4 METRES by 2.5 METRES. You would destroy the ends of the clamps before you could get enough pressure in the centre of 4 metres.
You could do it with the addition of cauls, the same size RHS (tube) with a large radius bend, or by adding one or more screw clamps through the 4M long tubes - weld a nut on the outer side of the tube and use some threaded rod to press against a flat plat on the inner side of the tube, which presses against your timber.Kind Regards
Peter
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3rd May 2007, 01:35 AM #8Member
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Good to hear
Hi Art,
Glad to hear I have been of some help. I am using these now to glue up some door panels and they seem to work pretty well. I haven't been able to take any pictures as my camera has stopped working...bugger.
I will give it another few weeks of use, I have many door panels to make, and see if after that time I would modify anything.
Cheers,
Buz.
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3rd May 2007, 01:42 AM #9Member
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SHS dimensions
Hi Mat,
I used 30x30x3 SHS and 30x3 flat bar. I haven't noticed any flex in the bars with the small panels I have clamped so far. Possibly I would use larger RHS if I was to do it again. I will see how I feel after using them for a few weeks and post back my thoughts on this then.
Cheers,
Buz.
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3rd May 2007, 10:33 AM #10Novice
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Hello Peter and thanks for the advice.
Perhaps I should have been more specific.
Imagine these clamps stood vertical along a wall over a space 4 meters long = 10 clamps each 2.5 long spaced 400 apart.
That was the first idea. Not practical as I ran out of wall space, became too cumbersome to operate, too expensive etc.
Next came the idea of making 2 x 2.5metre frames and joining them for the longer, ( and less often required ) longer boards.
Same as before, too expensive etc.
Then came the "how about laying it all out flat on saw stands and removing/storing it when not in use" idea. Hmmmm. A lot of time spent erecting/dismantling, ( downtime in my book ).
So now it has come down to a dedicated glue-up area, horizontal frame with clamps spaced at 500, not 400. A bar inserted between the clamp and the workpiece to spread the load. Unfortunately means a different thickness bar for each type of board, (16, 25mm and 40 mm. ).
Any thoughts?
Art
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5th May 2007, 09:57 AM #11Intermediate Member
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The Clamps look great!
Well done!
Cheers
Tom
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22nd May 2007, 08:33 PM #12
Hi
Yes, sorry for the late reply I seemed to have missed out on your subsequent reply.
Anyway, what I think you could try, and I expect it would work with relative ease, is to do what they do to support some roof spans.
Where there is a broad span of roof space and many rafters with little room for support posts they use a timber beam strengthened with a strap of steel bolted at each end and a large threaded rod in the centre like this...
You could scale this to suit your needs.
HTHKind Regards
Peter
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