Sturdee Hold Downs

[Sturdee]

Following the introduction of the Sturdee range of shop aids with the Sturdee Knobs I am pleased to announce a new item being the Sturdee Hold Downs.

Similar to toggle clamps costing about $ 32 these wooden ones bcost about $ 2 for the hardware only as for the timber I use recycled ( not a greenie just cheap ) pine framing offcuts thrown out by a builder.

The inspiration for this hold down came from a photo in a woodworking book but carefull study showed that it needed three hands to operate ( and as I only have two ) I have made this improved version.

This pic shows the completed hold down in use.

[Tonyz]

You are constantly amazing I think we all look forward to any new 'post' by Sturdee .....its bound to be another little jig that is so useful.
What the red 'sawhandled' thing behind it you dont mind. Tonto

[Sturdee]

The timber is all 19mm thick except the brace which is 3mm mdf.

For the handles you need 2 of 300*19mm and one of 100*40
The clamping arm is 255*50
The privot bracket requires two of 110*40,c rossbar of 55*40 and brace 95*50
For the base two of 100*100 and one of 100*45


This pic shows all the items needed includin hardware.


Peter

[Sturdee]

This pic shows the pre assembly.


Peter.

[Sturdee]

A pic showing , after painting the items assembled.


Peter

[Sturdee]

And the other side.


Peter.

[Sturdee]

The base unit attached to the bench.


Peter.

[Sturdee]

The unit connected to the base.
Please not that the 6 inch adjusting bolt has a screw thread all the way , if not obtainable you can substitute it with threaded rod.

Peter.

[Sturdee]

Some more close ups.


Peter.

[Sturdee]

And the final close up. Care must be taken with adjusting the screw clamp as neither too much or not enough pressure will stop the hold down to work. On the bottom of the screw are 3 nuts onto which is pushed the rubber chair stopper available from Clark's Rubber.


Peter.

[Sturdee]

They don't take long to make. There is some fiddling needed with locating the position of the hinge but the longest part was the painting. I made four for use in the shop.


Peter.

[Sturdee]

Tony,


That red 'sawhandled' thing behind it is one of two right angled pushstick/clampdown I made to hold small pieces when using the mitre saw to stop them being picked up and thrown by the saw.

They are made for wide and narrow pieces and have sandpaper glued to the bottom to hold the small parts.

They work very well.

Peter.

[Sir Stinkalot]

Great product placement in photo #7 :)

[Barry_White]

Hi Peter,

Some incredible stuff. I bet you get a lot of fun working out all these things. Keep it up you're an inspiration to all of us.

By the way where did you get the full threaded coach bolts from, have I been hanging around Bunnings too much.

[Sturdee]

Bazza,

I buy all my bolts and nuts from Cost Less Bolts in Ringwood. They are a specialist bolt supplier. If you buy from places like that in bulk the unit cost is a lot less than Bunnings. These particular bolts were 40 for $ 8.40 whereas Bunnings 6" bolts were 65 cents each.


Peter.

[Sturdee]

Originally posted by Sir Stinkalot
Great product placement in photo #7 :)

I thought so too. Neil I am willing to accept payment in further products. :)


Peter.

[Vonrek]

Another great post Peter.

To any publishers out there, would someone give this man a book-deal.

Thanks for the ideas as well as the practical how to on all of your great jigs and devices.

Cheers,
Tim

[MrFixIt]

Hi Sturdee and others :-)

FYI The Cornall company has a good selection of knobs and many other useful fittings/fixtures. The only down side (if you can call it that) is they have a $50.00 minimum order. This is not hard to reach when you see the range of "stuff" you can buy at excellent prices.

They do have a web site, however this is minimal. The best thing to do is to request a catalogue and work from that. Their catalogue is quite large and is only a photocopy so some of the "images" are less than perfect though still very useful.

You can buy the 5 point star knob - great for jigs etc - for 0.68c each. (20x for $13.64)

regards

Peter

[DPB]

MFI - (MrFixit) - more info needed re the "Cornwall Company".

Where are they located, email address, web address, tel. no., etc.

[silentC]

http://www.cornall.com.au

"Cornall (Merchandise) Pty Ltd is a trade only organisation.
With this in mind, this site has been designed for use by Furniture Manufacturers,
Cabinetmakers, Joiners, Architects, Designers and Specifiers only.
Cornall regrets that inquiries from the general public can not be accepted.
Should you have an inquiry, please contact your local Cabinetmaker or Joiner."

:rolleyes:

[Barry_White]

Hi Don

If you type in The Cornall Company into Yahoo it will come up with a link. But as the man says not much of a website but it does give the addresses in each state.

[silentC]

Google works too ;)

[Sturdee]

FYI The Cornall company has a good selection of knobs and many other useful fittings/fixtures. The only down side (if you can call it that) is they have a $50.00 minimum order. This is not hard to reach when you see the range of "stuff" you can buy at excellent prices.


There is another down side to dealing with this company and that is (at least in Melbourne) they will not deal with you UNLESS you are trade.

Prior to developing my own Sturdee Knobs this was one of the companies I went to see about knobs and I was told politely, but firmly, that they do not sell to the general public but that I could order from their range through Bunnings( which would ofcourse include their mark up on small orders).

In any case the knobs I now use cost zilch, as I use discarded timber and the nut comes with the bolts I use.


Peter.