Thread: Panel Max glue press

It definitely includes 3 clamps for AUD$280? the ad says 2 clamps + the mounting rail.

EDIT: apologies...just re-read the original post and realize my question is answered

Decided to build a trolley to mount these clamps. That way I can park it in front of the sash clamps hanging off the only wall space available and park it anywhere, including the driveway, when it is in use. Will post pics once it is done.

John thanks so much for the heads-up on this product. Years ago I bought three Plano clamps second hand, and have been looking for more at a reasonable price ever since. It looks like I'll be able to use these side by side with the Plano ones.

I was looking at some panel clamps a while ago, and managed to source some 1200 mm Frontlines direct from the manufacturer. Not sure what the RRP was, but I do remember that the savings were substantial (circa 40%??).

It does pay to hunt around at times.

Built the trolley today and mounted the clamps.

I started out befuddled about why the installation instructions required a great lump of 4"X 2.5" and 4" X 3" timber at the top and bottom to mount the rails. Looking closely at photos of several installations soon revealed all. When the top clamp is opened, it is cocked back, so it does not fall forward over the opening when you are trying to load the clamps. To sit back in the cocked position, the aluminium top rail must be 2.5" away from the wall.

But I was building a trolley, so I designed it so the top clamp could cock back on top of the top piece of timber to which the rail is attached. The trolley required 1 1/4 sheets of 16 mm MDF. Two lumps of 90 mm X 35 mm X 2.4 M framing pine, a short length of 70 mm X 35 mm pine, a couple of metres of 90 mm X 12 mm pine and six castors.

The 12 mm lump of pine was glued to one of the 90 mm X 35 mm timbers, to make it about 1/2" deeper than the other rail, as per the instructions. This glued member became the bottom rail.

The vertical lump of MDF is sandwiched between the pieces that make up the base and braced from behind with three tapered MDF panels. Everything is glued and screwed. Then the top and bottom rails were added, as was an offcut that was run alont the top of the bracing panels. Then the clamps were mounted. All over in half a day.

First pic is from behind the trolley. Second is from the front. Trolley is 2,100 mm long and 400 mm wide. I danced it around the workshop, and she handles very well. Tomorrow it gets a test run.

Originally Posted by Justin

John thanks so much for the heads-up on this product. Years ago I bought three Plano clamps second hand, and have been looking for more at a reasonable price ever since. It looks like I'll be able to use these side by side with the Plano ones.

Justin,

So far as I can see, the clamps I bouight are a copy of the Plano, so you should be able to mix them with your existing Plano clamps. What this guy is selling is actually a 2 clamp add-on kit.

Great looking result John.

Originally Posted by Enfield Guy

Great looking result John.

Thanks Bevan,

I am delighted with the result. It is effective, handles and steers well, is as straight as a die and one day when I have not a lot to do I'll pull the clamps off and spray it with white lacquer, just to make it look pretty ... but that is not likely to happen until after April when the workload (hopefully) will back of a bit.

Originally Posted by John Samuel

Justin,

So far as I can see, the clamps I bouight are a copy of the Plano, so you should be able to mix them with your existing Plano clamps. What this guy is selling is actually a 2 clamp add-on kit.

I think you will find these are identical to Plano clamps - they all come out of the same factory. I'm quite surprised that he was able to discount them so much, although there may be a substantial saving on the freight to help. Buying in bigger numbers possibly wouldn't result in a better price as the freight reaches a point in both weight and volume where it suddenly starts to get either horrendously expensive or terribly slow.

Good horse trading John, maybe you could do a bit of work for me! I don't think you will ever regret building that trolley, now you just need to use the back of it as additional storage.

Cheers,
David

Originally Posted by aldav

I don't think you will ever regret building that trolley, now you just need to use the back of it as additional storage.

Cheers,
David

David,

Clearely you are a genius, because creating storage space at the back of the trolley is exactly my thinking.

Cheerio!

John

Made my first panel. Planed up some cedar on the new Woodman. Delightful!

Then drop the boards into the press. Needed to "gently massage" the panel with a rubber mallet to get great alignment, but that took seconds.

Truly guys ... beg, steal, sell a child or one of your wife's kidneys ... but get a set of these clamps. They are magic. I was so enchanted I sat and smoked as I watched the glue dry.

One pass through the drum sander ... all finished. Trim to size and fit. Smoke cigarettes and drink diet Coke whilst you gaze in amazement at the new clamp trolley.

So this is what woodworking heaven is like.

Originally Posted by John Samuel

David,

Clearely you are a genius, because creating storage space at the back of the trolley is exactly my thinking.

Cheerio!

John

Must have something to do with being 62 John. Would have thanked you for the post as well, but was concerned that your post had more to do with recognition of yourself as a genius than me?
Hasn't anybody told you that smoking is bad for you? And while I'm thinking about your health, how much sugar is there in Diet Coke?

Cheers,
David

David,

I was commenting on the obvious fact that great minds think alike.

And smoking in only one of my many vices ... want to hear about a few of the others? Sugar is not one of them ... any more. I discovered that if one abuses one's body with sugar and alcohol for thirty years, eventually there will be a price to pay. In my case it was to become glucose intolerant. So, if I want to enjoy a glass or two of fine red in the evening, I need to banish all other sugar from my diet. Its a small price to pay to enjoy Geoff Merril's reserve Cab Sav.

Just glued up some 11 mm thick cedar boards in the press to make a drawer bottom. In the past, it could be a bugger of a job because often the thin panel wanted to twist and warp, and generally misalign.

Re-sawed/halved a 24 mm thick 200 mm wide board on the bandsaw. Zipped the boards through the drum sander. Applied glue and dropped them into the press.

All true ... I am in woodworking heaven. Pardon me whilst I sit, smoke, drink diet Coke and watch the glue dry.