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Sturdee
13th April 2004, 03:10 AM
For some time now I have been impressed with the capabilities of handscrew clamps. They are easy to use, do not mark the work and unlike metal clamps are not too heavy. However they have been too expensive for me especially when you consider that you need quite a few.

After spending a considerable time on research and working out the bugs in my prototypes I am pleased to share how I made my own, being the Sturdee Handscrew Clamps.

The Jorgenson style of handscrew clamps uses rods that have both left and right handed threads and both jaws moving in and out from the centre. Mine uses ordinary threaded rods and nuts, with one jaw fixed in relation the one handle and the other jaw moving in and out. When the clamp is closed one of the rods extends well past the jaws, which, if left like that, could be dangerous, so I covered the rod end with extra nuts and a soft rubber tip. Total cost of the hardware was $ 2.71 provided that you buy in bulk from a bolt specialist.

I made two sizes of clamps. The larger has a jaw length of 300 mm of 40*30mm with a clamping length of 140mm and a jaw opening of 125mm. The smaller type has a jaw length of 230 mm of 40*30mm with a clamping length of 115mm and a jaw opening of 90mm.

This photo shows the prototype.

Peter

Sturdee
13th April 2004, 03:12 AM
The shows the type of timber used for the first batch. The hardwood beam offcut and 4 * 2 pine was thrown out at a nearby building site and collected with permission of the builder.


Peter.

Sturdee
13th April 2004, 03:13 AM
The items needed for one clamp, being 2 blanks to make the movable jaw, the non-moveable jaw, 2 handles, 2 lengths of 5/16 threaded rod, 2 small nails, 2 T-nuts, 4 washers, 1 Nyloc nut, 6 ordinary nuts and a rubber tip.


Peter.

Sturdee
13th April 2004, 03:14 AM
This shows the lay out of materials indicating the position of nuts etc.


Peter.

Sturdee
13th April 2004, 03:15 AM
This shows the handles fixed onto the rods which are inserted 50mm into the handles with Araldite epoxy glue and secured with a small nail through the timber and the rod. Also the movable jaw has the T-nuts fixed on one part so that they are inside when they are glued together.



Peter

Sturdee
13th April 2004, 03:16 AM
This is a close up of the T-nut inside the movable jaw.


Peter.

Sturdee
13th April 2004, 03:18 AM
The centre rod is fixed to the non-moveable jaw with a Nyloc nut and washers.


Peter.

Sturdee
13th April 2004, 03:19 AM
This photo shows the position of the other nuts etc.


Peter.

Sturdee
13th April 2004, 03:20 AM
This shows the clamp completed and in the widest open position.


Peter.

Sturdee
13th April 2004, 03:21 AM
This shows the clamp in the closed position. Notice the safety rubber tip.


Peter.

Sturdee
13th April 2004, 03:23 AM
This photo shows all the clamps I have made. I made a dozen of each size. I know it is a lot but you can never have enough clamps.:D :D

A worthwile addition to my clamps collection.



Peter.

DPB
13th April 2004, 10:18 AM
Hey, Peter, posting these at 2:30AM??? Perhaps you don't need more clamps - you need a life!!!!!:D :D :D :D :D :D

Nice work. Bring a few along to the next Triton Woodworkers Club meeting.;)

Sturdee
13th April 2004, 10:38 AM
Don,

I could say " genius " does not sleep :D :D :D but I am no genius.
The truth is last night before I went to bed I had finished preparing everything for posting early this morning. When I woke up during the night, rather than going down to the workshop and firing up my machines and waking everybody up so they could keep me company, I decided to post the details instead.


Yes, I will bring some along on Sunday.

Peter.

Glen Bridger
13th April 2004, 02:08 PM
Sturdee,

Yet another excellent design. These work very similar to Toolmakers Clamps. They too, only have RH threaded shafts.

Glen

Wood Borer
13th April 2004, 09:29 PM
Sturdee,

They look like a very handy addition to a workshop.


- Wood Borer

IanW
20th April 2004, 09:22 AM
I'm coming in a bit late, but didn't have any pics of my clamps to put up, & kept forgettingto take the digital camera home....
You sure went at it once you got started, Sturdee! But as someone said above, you can never have too many clamps, unless you're looking for somewhere to hang the darn things...
I went a similar route to Sturdee, but didn't stretch my own imagination like he did, just tried to copy the 'original' concept. I considered trying to threadsome bar with both left and right hand thread, but decided that was too much trouble, so I went with a combo of the old handscrew (or 'patternmaker') design that Sturdee has used and the pivoting nuts, using RH threaded rod. The pair illustrated are made using 5/16 threaded rod and some 5/8 bar. The only tricky bit was deciding how to capture the top "pusher" rod so they don't fly apart when opening. I simply filed down the end to fit through a 1/4 hole in the 5/8 bar, then peined the end over a washer , so that it remained free to turn in the bar (after assembling, of course!). They are a little slower to open and close fully (why is it that whenever you pick up a clamp, it's always at the opposite end of its travel from where you need it?!), but not too bad, and the pressure you can apply with such a fine thread is in most cases, excessive.
So I made a bunch in various sizes using 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 rod with jaws from 75mm long to about 250mm, and opening up to about 225mm for the bigger ones. They all worked well, and I'm still using the ones I haven't given/traded away. However, I quickly found the ability to vary the jaws from parallel was something I virtually never need, so why go to all the trouble of having pivoting nuts?. Then about 20 yrs ago, I made a couple of the old all-wood handcrews and became totally addicted to them for all clamping jobs up to 300mm or so. I've also made a bunch of wooden bar clamps, too, so I rarely use anything with metal on it any more. The most useful size for me uses screws of 3/4" diameter, with jaws 200mm or so long, opening to about 200mm. (If you try making the screws any longer, it's too easy to bend and break the centre or tension screw by overtightening the top screw.) I have a few sets of 300mm capacity using 1" screws and a bunch of tiddlers using 1/2" screws (They are extremely useful, but a bit easy to wreck by the inexperienced - some folk just don't seem to get the idea of holding the handles and spinning the whole clamp to open and close).
Over the last 20 yrs or so I have made a pile of clamps - mostly out of curiosity to see how a given wood takes threading, and also to try different ways of doing it - including making a tap from the guts of an old brass water-tap (saw it in a British mag, in an article called "Make a tap from a tap"!). Many, many pairs have been given away or traded to prevent my workshop being buried under piles of clamps! Since the original taps cost me very little, and all wood used is either scraps or 'found', the unit cost must be approaching a few cents a set, by now... The screws are turned in one piece and threaded on a home-made router jig similar to the (poisonously-expensive) Beale thing. The home made jig consists of two bits of scrap hardwood and two screws. The advantage of the router method is that you can cut a thread on almost anything from Balsa to Gidgee. I've tried dozens of different woods, and the best wood is anything that turns ok, and has a fine, dense grain. Applewood is one of the best going, but any of the harder Acacias, Casaurinas, Penda, you-name-it, make good screws. I prefer to use softer woods for the jaws - even Radiata holds threads well in cross-grain. The only down side of handscrews is they are a bit hard to apply one-handed, but it can be done.
One word of experience - make sure you oil and wax the threads - if you don't, and you get a drop of glue in the wrong spot, you'll have yourself what must be the strongest wood-joint known to man.....
Here are a couple of pics, starting with my 'modified Jorgensen' design
Cheers,

IanW
20th April 2004, 09:24 AM
Here are the all-wood variety I prefer. The largest one used 3/4" screws, and the centre one is made using the 'tap from a tap'. It works fine, but setting-up and cutting such fine threads is very fiddly...

IanW
20th April 2004, 09:27 AM
And a bar clamp......

silentC
20th April 2004, 09:45 AM
Ian,

Do you think you're going to be allowed to get away with that paucity of detail? How do you "make a tap from a tap" and give us some pictures of your thread cutting router jig.

Please?

:)

IanW
20th April 2004, 10:16 AM
Hmm, yeah, silentC, I suppose I should have thought of that ahead.
OK, give me a day or two, or possibly early next week and I'll post something with more detail. I've done a few demos at wood shows and clubs, and somewhere deep in the bowels of this infernal eletronic device is a 'how to' that runs over a couple of A4 sheets worth, but I haven't any digital pics of the jig. In fact it's a few years since I had the urge to do any threading, so the jigs are buried a little deeply in the litter. If you'll bear with me, I'll put something together as soon as I can. I thought about directing you to some of the original articles that got me going, but not many people would have access to old FWW mags of the late 70's.
Til then, avagooday,

rodm
20th April 2004, 10:21 AM
Ian,
I like what I see.
I am very interested for more information as well.

silentC
20th April 2004, 10:21 AM
Cheers Ian, who could ask for more?

The reason for my interest is that I'd like to make a tail vice for my bench and I was thinking of wooden screws. They used to cut the threads by hand but I don't have the patience for that.

IanW
20th April 2004, 10:49 AM
Originally posted by silentC
Cheers Ian, who could ask for more?

The reason for my interest is that I'd like to make a tail vice for my bench and I was thinking of wooden screws. They used to cut the threads by hand but I don't have the patience for that.

You mean like this?
The biggest problem is the tap. I have a Heath-Robinson solution for that, which is ok for softer hardwoods, but can't hack it in Ironbark? A wonderful friend turned me up a 2" tap - it takes two fit blokes to drive it, though!

silentC
20th April 2004, 11:05 AM
That's the one. I thought I might be able to hand carve the 'nut' thread in two halves. There are probably other ways. I've got a book on it somewhere. I'd hate to think how much it would cost to get a tap made.

IanW
20th April 2004, 11:30 AM
SilentC - we aren't that far away - maybe when you are ready, I can help out.
Wood-screw tail vises are pretty easy to make and work superbly well - I spend 80% of my time using the tail vise, and couldn't contemplate a bench without one, now.
It's not very practical having a tap made, anyway, because you'll only use it a couple of times. I made a wood one for my first bench - chased a thread into a blank, then drove in a series of 14G screws, clipped and filed them into cutters. It worked, to my own amzement, and will thread woods up to the hardnes of say, Mountain Ash, (the one in the pic was done that way - it's hard Maple, which is pretty tough stuff) but I wouldn't try driving it into anything like Spotted gum or Bluegum, etc.
Email me when you are getting to the vise stage, and we'll see what might be done...
Have to sign out here; & won't be in front of a computer for the rest of the day.
Talk to you later...

Sturdee
20th April 2004, 05:53 PM
Ian,

It is good to see others making clamps as well. They are not as difficult to make as it seems and at the end you have a very worthwile collection.

Whilst it seems that I made a lot, I only made two batches of a dozen each. The extra time taken to make a batch rather than one is not all that much more ( apart from the assembling ) as most of the time is taken in setting up the various procedures.

I thought of making woodscrews ( I have a tap and die set ) but buying threaded rods was easier and less time consuming.

I love your bar clamps and would appreciate some more details of the construction and sizes.


Peter.

IanW
27th April 2004, 03:31 PM
OK - so as not to hijack this thread, I started a new thread with some details of my threading jig. As I get time, I'll post a bit more on the handscrews and bar clamps I showed above.
Cheers,

Joe Lyddon
6th May 2004, 04:33 AM
Sturdee,

Would you please give me permission to grab this threads postings so I can put them on my web page? I would give this Forum and you credit, of course.

I would like to add this to my collection so it cannot just vanish and get lost.

Thank you very much...

Perhaps I should also PM Private Message you...

My web site is:
http://www.qsl.net/wb6ufx/WoodWorkStuff.html

Thanks again & have fun,
Joe

Joe Lyddon
7th May 2004, 09:05 AM
Doesn't anybody read & reply... ??

Joe

IanW
7th May 2004, 09:21 AM
Maybe he's busy making more clamps!:D

Joe Lyddon
7th May 2004, 09:28 AM
Hi IanW,

Thank you for the reply! :D

For a minute there, I thought 'across the pond' was off limits... :)

... hope not...

Thanks again,
Joe

Sturdee
7th May 2004, 09:32 AM
Originally posted by Joe Lyddon
Doesn't anybody read & reply... ??

Joe

Joe,

I realise you are a newcomer to this board but if you have read my postings you should know that I always reply to any question asked of me.

It might not necessarily be quick enough for your liking but sometimes I need to get further information or the question might need a considered response rather than an of the cuff remark.

As you apparently need an immediate response the answer is NO.

I consider there to be no need for it to be hosted on another site because I am sure that the owners of this board will not delete the postings ( especially the jigs in this forum ) and the photos are uploaded to this board and as such will stay with the posting.
Neil might like to add further to this but I believe this to be true.

Ofcourse I have no objection to you or anyone else making the handscrews, after all that's why I post them, or you putting a link on your site back to this board and posting.


Peter.

Joe Lyddon
7th May 2004, 09:56 AM
Hi Peter,

Well, maybe I'm not used to the SLOW pace you live at... as well as the time difference...

Most people, when I extend the chance for me to also share their work with world, jump at the chance to do so.

You, with your HUGE CHIP on your shoulder, for some reason, got bent and pushed out of shape...

You can take your clamps and clamp them where it will do the best good. May I suggest your lips?!

I won't even put a link to this FORUM on my page...

Hasta la Vista Baby... I'm going back home where I belong, I guess.

I thank those that replied to me with a little more friendliness.

G'Bye,
Joe

silentC
7th May 2004, 10:02 AM
Hmmmm, he didn't take that very well, did he Peter?

Do they really say "hasta la vista" in America? I thought that was only in the movies....

:D

bitingmidge
7th May 2004, 10:07 AM
Tell me again how the war started grandpa..........
:eek:

P

IanW
7th May 2004, 10:34 AM
I hesitated a long time but can't resist....

"Hasta la Vista Baby... I'm going back home where I belong, I guess."

A good many people in the world are wishing a good many more of your countrymen would do the same thing, right now!

Joe - you seem to have taken offence rather easily - from other postings Peter is usually a very affable chap, and although he did sound a bit impatient, you did come on a bit strong.
We all have our touchy days - I got a call from some telemarketer last night - just got home after a long day, had some food on the stove I was stirring, and just about to take the second sip of a refreshing beverage. Picked up the phone, and this forced cheery voice says "Good evening, I'm Stan, calling from XX (unusual, the b---s don't often announce themselves so quickly) - how are we this evening?"
He got an answer which I will paraphrase as "I don't know how you are, mate, but I'm tired and cranky and fed up with people who call at the worst time of day trying to flog something I don't need, and please tell your marketing folks to do a bit of practical research and discover that this is probably the very worst time of day to disturb people like me with frivolous calls..."
After I'd had a (long) second sip of aforementioned beverage, I started to feel a bit guilty - probably some poor kid trying to pay his way through university and support his crippled mother, or something...
Was I too hard on him???
avagooday,

Sturdee
7th May 2004, 11:06 AM
Quote:
"Well, maybe I'm not used to the SLOW pace you live at... as well as the time difference... "


At least we consider our actions before we do, unlike some Septic Tanks on the other side of the pond who barge in without thinking and when it does not work out can only say the famous yankee phrase: 'So sorry about that."
------
Quote:
"Most people, when I extend the chance for me to also share their work with world, jump at the chance to do so."


I thought the USA was only a small part of the world ( say 350 million people compared to say 6.5 billion people) and in any case if I wanted to share my work with the good people in the USA there are a number of boards available to me. Why would I use an obscure site that would be virtually unknown.
-------
"Quote:
"Hasta la Vista Baby."


Do you know what that phrase really means? Or is this another useless phrase designed to confuse rather than educate.

-----

Now generally I am slow to get upset about things but I am now. The prepostery to think that I have to jump when you want me to is unbelievable. I am not John Howard (FYI our PM) who as your president's little deputy sheriff can only say "how high" when he is told by your president to jump.

If I was not quick enough you could have sent me a PM and I would have dashed of a quick reply to say that I was still considering your request.

Seeing that you are going back home where you think you belong all I can say " Have a nice day".


Peter.

Joe Lyddon
7th May 2004, 11:14 AM
up urs 2 matie...

Sturdee
7th May 2004, 12:52 PM
Just what I thought, he does not know what he said. If he did he would not say something that means " See you later" but rather " Goodbye".

To use another useless american movie phrase " Frankly my dear I don't give a damm" what you think about me.

Remember you came to me. I never came to you. I was not so bloody impatient. I did not start the insults.


So as they say, don't call me I'll call you if I ever need you. Something I seriously doubt. I've now had my say and no further correspondence will be entered into.

Have a nice day.


Peter.

clubbyr8
7th May 2004, 09:10 PM
Maybe it's time to regress to the 60's and 70's and dust off the old banner.

Yankee Go Home!!!

So long, farewell, adieu adieu adieu.

Don't you come back now, y'hear!!!!

Bubinga
2nd July 2004, 03:33 AM
Some people will do anything to save a buck LOL

GCP310
2nd July 2004, 08:44 AM
If Joe had taken five minutes to research some of Sturdees posts, he would come to conclusion that Studee is a very active and helpfull member,and that around here things may take a day or two for an answer. but instead he decided to burn his bridges.

Wood Borer
2nd July 2004, 10:31 AM
You need to decide whether this arrogant idiot is typical of all yanks or just a one off jerk before you condemn them all.

Like all countries they have idiots and good people.

Extend a hand of friendship to our buddies across the Pacific, you will be rewarded as many of them have a lot of catching up to do.


- Wood Borer

routermaniac
28th November 2004, 09:33 PM
I think it would be fair to rename this section "sturdees jigs and homemade tools". Once again well done, I wish I had the time to make more jigs :D!


Go Sturdee!

routermaniac
28th November 2004, 09:49 PM
PS

Dear Joe,

it might bee an idea to browse around the board before sending insulting posts to a senior member who has contributed so much.

I for starters have used many of Sturdees ideas in my projects and I found he is more than happy to reply to any questions asked of him

Give the man a chance.

gatiep
28th November 2004, 09:53 PM
MMMMMMMMMMMM and the link takes you to a page " We have moved"........................................Good thing I guess, maybe he has gone home! One thing that annoys me is when people do not even afford the board the courtesy of putting in their location. People really have to give minimal info to register, surely it is good manners to comply.


Anyway both Peter and Ian, nice work. Peter I note that Triton still doesn't make lathes! Turned handles will really finish those clamps off nicely.
For tomorrow...Have a good week all.

:)

snappperhead
28th November 2004, 10:24 PM
sturdee,

why dont you use some more suitable timber for your clamps? i admire blokes who recycle and all, but im not sure if your components will cut the cheese over time. spending a bit more cash and a little more time with your materials will pay divideds in the long run. no offence or anything

Sturdee
29th November 2004, 09:37 AM
Anyway both Peter and Ian, nice work. Peter I note that Triton still doesn't make lathes! Turned handles will really finish those clamps off nicely.
For tomorrow...Have a good week all.

:)


Joe,

I've got a lathe , done some turning but it never grabbed my interest. I don't know if it is because it is green and not orange. :D :D :D

Maybe one day I'll make a copy attachment and it might get more of a workout.


Peter.

Barry_White
29th November 2004, 10:00 AM
Just as a point on the Yankee Doodle Dandy I suppose after throwing so many insults it becomes difficult to apologise and eat humble pie but probably better he has gone into his hole and stays there.

Sturdee
29th November 2004, 05:00 PM
sturdee,

why dont you use some more suitable timber for your clamps?

Snapperhead,


Thanks for the comments. No offence taken.

It is funny that you should mention it just after I bought some blackwood at Vic Wood's garage sale for the marking gauges I am planning to build. :D

However I prefer to use recycled materials if possible, the waste not want not philosophy was drummed into me from an early age. If a bit of recycled timber does the job I will use it especially if the hardwood has been suitable aged like me. :D

Time will tell whether the timber in the clamps will last , if not I will rebuild them. This would not be a very great problem as it only took a day or two to make a dozen of each of the three types.


Peter.

ryanarcher
29th November 2004, 06:47 PM
Guys,
for some reason i feel compeled to apologise for that jerk (joe) . he's the kind of guy that run's around like a chicken with his head cut off, and i bet he's just an unhappy person all the time. most of us in the states are ashamed to find people like him (eg our president) giving us a bad name. we just want to be good husbands, dads and if we get the time, to make a piece of furniture as nice as major panic or rocker. so Peter, here's a big thanks from one yank who's read all your stuff and has used a lot of it.
-Ryan

Sturdee
29th November 2004, 08:22 PM
Ryan,

No need to apologize for that jerk. I know that there are bad but also good guys in every country. Especially in America and we lately we have more good yanks joining this forum.

Trouble is that the bad are more pushy and vocal than the good guys.

The funny thing was that I was going to say yes to his request if I was satisfied that his website was kosher. However he did not allow any time for this checking. He also did not allow for the time difference and the fact that I don't sit in front of the computer all day.

His impatience and insults got him a refusal instead.

BTW I am glad that you enjoy my posts and find them usefull.


Peter.

alexg
30th November 2004, 10:43 AM
Following the barage of insults across the "pond" I was intrigued to find out a little more about Joe. I had a look at his website and I couldn't help but notice Joe has an uncanny resemblance to ........... it took me a long while to work out who but I think I've found it. If Joe has a sense of humour I think he too will find this quite amusing.

Alex.



Can anyone name the character?

scooter
30th November 2004, 06:30 PM
Now, Alex, have you been taking screen shots from p0rnos again? :eek:

Shame on you. :D :p

Can't help you with the character ID, not my flavour in movies mate, but to each his own ;)


Cheers.........Sean

gatiep
30th November 2004, 09:43 PM
Alex, I hope you are referring to yankee joe.


:)

Barry_White
1st December 2004, 08:28 AM
Hey

Isn't that Godzilla, I saw him on the news last night.

Darrell Feltmate
19th January 2005, 02:19 PM
Peter

I was looking at the clamps and like them. I have made similar. Instead of using t-nuts I threaded the wood. Also I cut slots to hold a nut frozen to the allthread with heavy mono line. That is for the end of the end thread and the handle end of the center thread. If you are interested, I could get a picture up for you. I also have made flip clamps and engineers clamps as well as small bar clamps from my old days as a guitar repairman.



____________
Darrell

Sturdee
19th January 2005, 05:08 PM
Thanks for your comments and some photos would be appreciated.


Peter.

outback
19th January 2005, 05:45 PM
Definitely pictures please.


Especially the flip clamps, sounds kinda kinda

Darrell Feltmate
21st January 2005, 02:26 PM
I am not sure how to post pictures on this forum. so here are a couple of links. First of all for a model maker's clamp or engineer's clamp

www.aroundthewoods.com/imgsclamp/im001249.jpg (http://www.aroundthewoods.com/imgsclamp/im001249.jpg)

Second a flip clamp
www.aroundthewoods.com/imgsclamp/im001250.jpg (http://www.aroundthewoods.com/imgsclamp/im001250.jpg)

Third a swing clamp or cabinet maker's clamp
www.aroundthewoods.com/imgsclamp/im001251.jpg (http://www.aroundthewoods.com/imgsclamp/im001251.jpg)

Nothing fancy here, just what works. I have been asked to put up a how to page on the site and I will do so when I get a chance.

____

Darrell

Wood Borer
21st January 2005, 02:38 PM
Very nice.

Sturdee kindly gave me one of his clamps which I regularly use - great clamp.

Sturdee
21st January 2005, 04:52 PM
Nothing fancy here, just what works.


Darrell, maybe not fancy according to you but they look great. Well done.

I have seen some homemade flip ( or cam ) clamps and will make some one day when I am looking for something to do. :D The ones I have seen have a steel bar and pins to stop the cam arm sliding when clamping pressure is applied. How well do yours work and how do you stop them sliding up the bar?


Peter.

Darrell Feltmate
21st January 2005, 10:41 PM
Peter

The clamps work well. Usually I use them to clamp the bridge in place when gluing it on to a guitar body, hence the need for the lower jaw to have greater spacers than the top. It has to reach over internal braces. The pressure and friction of the upper jaw on the slide seems to be enough to leep everything in place. I have about twenty of these in a smaller size and frequently use them to hold sides in place when gluing cracks. No problem. I am told that this style can exert up to 300 lbs of pressure per sqare inch, which seems a lot to me.

____
Darrell

Dusty Workshop
12th July 2005, 11:44 PM
Please don't assume that Joe Lydon is a fair representation of what the U.S.A. has to offer! In fact he is equally as disliked in his own country.

Check out this link. (http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB8&Number=1045879&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=all)

cheers,

DUSTY

fshagan
13th July 2005, 05:08 PM
Indeed, Dusty. Many of us from "across the pond" just lurk (and view in awe the prolific output of homemade tools and jigs on this site!) Besides which, isn't "across the pond" an English phrase? Perhaps from "the states" might fit better.

Sturdee, your posts are an inspiration, as are the others here. I've always had fun around Australians, who seem to have a great sense of humor and have the ability to use the English language in wonderous ways (and for some of my mates, that's especially true when they are cursing!) I've also always respected the resourcefulness you as a nation have that is reflected here; we Americans tend to think of the independent and self-reliant attitudes as uniquely ours, but you guys may have more of it than we do.

So ignore the jerks from our side of the ocean ... we have a ton of them, and unfortunately, the Internet exposes more of them to the world than ever before.

la Huerta
22nd July 2005, 05:28 PM
mate i love you clamps, the ones from the shops are expensive and not that great...would you have any sugestions on using the threaded rod for long clamps for glueing table tops , i was thinking of mounting a row of them to a frame which will sit vertical on a wall , this would be a lot easier to clamp the boards...

Sturdee
22nd July 2005, 06:21 PM
would you have any suggestions on using the threaded rod for long clamps for glueing table tops , i was thinking of mounting a row of them to a frame which will sit vertical on a wall , this would be a lot easier to clamp the boards...

Sorry, but I use pipe clamps for that. I attached rectangular pieces of chipboard to them.This makes them easier to use and stops any damage to the edge of boards from the metal clamps.

I have a dozen of various lenghts and the chipboard pieces can be seen on the attached photo of part of my workshop. (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/attachment.php?attachmentid=7331)

When boards are clamped up I put them aside against the wall.


Peter.

la Huerta
22nd July 2005, 08:50 PM
cheers Peter... . looks like you have a place on the walls for everything, very neat and tidy...not like mine...do you have any more of your workshop pics...

Sturdee
22nd July 2005, 10:08 PM
cheers Peter... . looks like you have a place on the walls for everything, very neat and tidy...not like mine...do you have any more of your workshop pics...


Try this link to my post on my workshop, (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=15756) which I did before my upgrade from a Triton WC to a TS.

Still improving it , I suppose I'll never really finish it, always something new to incorporate. :eek: But it is fun and makes it an enjoyable place to be. :D


Peter.

arcticfox46
14th December 2005, 06:28 AM
Hi,

I just joined this forum to say HI from a fellow woodworked from the USA.

Just in response to the Joe Lyndon guy that was not too friendly with you. Not all Americans are of that nature. Personally, I do not like it when someone from my country goes about and makes a bad name for those of us that would prefer to be friendly.

I am not trying to justify Joe Lydons actions - they are uncalled for. Just to let you know, he has been making his rounds all over. Even in my home forum. http://www.woodworking.com/ You are welcome to visit anytime. I think we have a great group of people there, and our passion is woodworking - not bashing others.

So - I am trying to show you that there are friendly and hospitable Americans too, not just arrogent ones.

Wishing you all the best,

Merry Christmas,

Leo

scooter
14th December 2005, 08:49 PM
Welcome aboard Leo !


Cheers.............Sean

jow104
14th December 2005, 08:55 PM
Don't worry Leo, the are some quick fellas on the draw at this forum he will soon go down:)

I also was happy to receive one of those clamps from peter.

junkboy999
15th December 2005, 05:01 PM
Wow how did I miss this part of the Post. I could say a lot but it has all been said allready :) Keep up the good Peter :)

I'm sorry but the party you are looking for has moved. but at the beep. "BEEP" he can now be reached at

http://woodworkstuff.net/woodidxjoe.html

Sturdee
15th December 2005, 06:46 PM
I could say a lot but it has all been said allready :)


I fully agree that it has all been said before and I don't consider my seppo Joe to be representative of all Americans.

But it is nice to know what happened to the fast action, big talking, high noting Joe, back to being just another joe.:D



Peter.

jow104
15th December 2005, 06:58 PM
I told ya:)

Iain
16th December 2005, 07:33 AM
'An wot ave the bloody Romans ever done for us'
I was going to try and offer some solace for Sturdee, but I don't think he cares anyway:rolleyes:
I have also seen the clamps, typical of all of his creations, functionality first, aesthetics are not an issue.

jemijona
2nd July 2012, 08:31 PM
Mine uses ordinary threaded rods and nuts, with one jaw fixed in relation the one handle and the other jaw moving in and out. When the clamp is closed one of the rods extends well past the jaws, which, if left like that, could be dangerous, so I covered the rod end with extra nuts and a soft rubber tip.

Hi there,

I know this is an old thread, but I've gone through and can't find a question or answer that I have on this clamp of yours.

You have one piece of the clamp moving, and the other piece "fixed".

Is there a reason why you wouldn't make the "dangerous" screw end the same as the "safe" end? Wouldn't it still work ok?

I've "butchered" your photo to hopefully show what I am getting at, just in case my query is unclear.

Thank you.

Rocket

Sturdee
2nd July 2012, 11:01 PM
Is there a reason why you wouldn't make the "dangerous" screw end the same as the "safe" end? Wouldn't it still work ok?

Rocket

There is a simple reason for the way I made mine and that is I used standard threaded rod. If you want to do it your way you will need to use a Right Hand and a Left Hand threaded rod for each clamp.

Peter.

jemijona
3rd July 2012, 01:56 PM
If you want to do it your way you will need to use a Right Hand and a Left Hand threaded rod for each clamp.

Peter.

Sorry, but there must be something here that I am missing. The thread direction only determines which way you turn the handle, doesn't it?

As I see it, you only need the dual thread if you are trying to make both pieces of the clamp come together at the same time, (in which case you need 2 shafts with half of each thread, operating somewhat like a turnbuckle), rather than moving just the one piece as in your, and "my" version.

In "my" photo, the closest handle freewheels in the left hand piece of the clamp, and the furtherest handle freewheels in the right hand piece of the clamp.

In your version, both handles freewheel in the left hand part of the clamp.

I there a reason that both handles must freewheel in the same piece of the clamp?

Thank you.

Rod.

Sturdee
3rd July 2012, 04:43 PM
Maybe you're right and it could be done as you suggest but I know my way works.

As it is now 8 years since I made them and I don't need them any more as my interest has changed I've been giving them away for a while now as gifts or presents.

So I'm willing to pass on the challenge for you make one your way and post the results.


Peter.

DaveTTC
9th December 2016, 09:11 AM
Peter,

I cant seem to find any pics on this thread and your links dont seem to work (could be my conection as I'm away from home this weekend). There was talk about a lot of pictures disappearing from the forum some months ago perhaps this happened here.

Is there any chance youbwould revisit this thread and post some pics again?

Regards


DaveTTC

Turning Wood into Art

Sturdee
9th December 2016, 02:28 PM
Dave,

The pictures disappeared from the forum a couple of years ago, when most pictures disappeared because of a forum upgrade problem. As I made these about 12 years ago I don't have copies either anymore. :~

I made two types, one with two handles and one with only one but both using the same method. Three years ago I got a great offer to sell the ones with both handles and as I moves more into turning I sold them and bought another small lathe from the proceeds. :2tsup:

I still have a few of the single handled ones and I would be happy to give one to you next time you're in Melbourne so you can reverse engineer the clamp.

Peter.

DaveTTC
9th December 2016, 03:59 PM
Thanks Peter. I knrw it was an ild thread. Just hiped I might get lucky.

Will look forward to catching up next time I'm down. Did not realise the update concerned was that long ago.



Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

jemijona
10th December 2016, 09:46 PM
Found a couple of pics on my PC.

The first is my modification to the clamp and the second is the original as per this thread.