Thread: Panel clamps (WIP)

Hi Buz,
Looks good so far, well done. I look forward to seeing them in action!

Cheers,

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

Cheers

Originally Posted by m2c1Iw

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

Cheers

Hi m2c1Iw,

No I will move the bolt on the rear lever to adjust them. Only one bolt so shoulden't be too much of a pain. There is almost 200mm travel on the thread also which will help with less adjusting.

Cheers,

Buz.

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

Buzsaw

What are the dimensions of the square tube you have used? Not length but cross section dimensions including wall thickness.

Hi

Originally Posted by arfabuck

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.

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.

Originally Posted by arfabuck

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

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.

Originally Posted by mat

Buzsaw

What are the dimensions of the square tube you have used? Not length but cross section dimensions including wall thickness.

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.

Originally Posted by MrFixIt

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.

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

The Clamps look great!
Well done!
Cheers
Tom

Hi

Originally Posted by arfabuck

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.

[snip]

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

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.

HTH