Thread: What is the Ultimate Clamping Kit

The reply is - none.

In oldentimes they used to use rope, levers, weights etc. Go-bars and wedging seem to have been forgotten (no, not the bars in Thailand, they're "Go-Go Bars"!).

An inventive mind can always find a way to clamp something.

An inventive mind that also has access to an income, however, will go for the Besseys/Jorgies/Records every time.

I need more than I should coz the sawdust monster on the floor keeps gobbling up the clamps I need to use next.

Since we're on the topic, why do you need more clamps on a thinner glue-up than a thicker one? There is a scientific rule of thumb here, or, rather, an engineering rule.

When pressure is applied it radiates outward from (both) the clamping faces at 45 degrees. If you follow the imaginary line outwards it should intersect with the next imaginary line at the glue face.

This explains why you need less clamps for a deep glue-up than you do for a thin piece. The rule-of-thumb aids a lot when planning a glue up, and whether it can be all done at once or if it should be done in stages to allow for the clamps at hand.

Groggy

So..................based on this 'Rule of thumb' how many clamps would be needed say for the outside perimiter on a thin 2 meter square 'glue up' ???????
I imagine that this being the case there must be some kind of formula that can be used?????

Most of us probably wouldn't be doing to many Jobs over this size!!!!

Might just be a good yard stick in regards to optimum clamp numbers :eek:

Regards Lou

Originally Posted by NewLou

Groggy

So..................based on this 'Rule of thumb' how many clamps would be needed say for the outside perimiter on a thin 2 meter square 'glue up' ???????

Most of us probably wouldn't be doing to many Jobs over this size!!!!

Might just be a good yard stick in regards to optimum clamp numbers :eek:

Regards Lou

Well, that's the point. if you are about to glue a 25mm edging strip all the way around (say a tabletop), you can reduce the number of clamps by introducing cauls or spacers to increase the clamped area.

Being Sunday, I don't feel like doing the math, it depends on the clamp face size, the depth of the trim etc. I am sure that someone with a mathematical bent could work out the exact distances, but in my minds-eye I see the clamping surface tripling when the depth of the trim is the same as the clamp face.

ie. if the clamp face is 25mm and the trim is 25mm deep then the effective clamped surface at the glue line is 75mm. However - IF you introduce a spacer to protect the surface of the trim, it MUST be sufficiently wide or you will reduce the effective clamping. Example, we use the same setup as above but introduce a 50mm x 25mm spacer (typically an offcut of the trim) because the offcut is less than 75mm we have lost some of the benefit and only achieve about 100mm instead of 150mm. By inserting a larger piece, the result would be commensurate with its depth and width.

Discuss, points will be awarded for clarity.

PS This can only be useful if your clamps are able to increase their pressure to provide the same psi over the new area, if not, you have strayed from the force.....

Lou,
you may want to think about adding some loadbinder straps (those ratchet type straps they sell in automotive places)to your clamp collection. They cost from $3 ea upwards to about $80 ea and take up very little space. I've got a swag of the cheaper ones as well as 3 of the really heavy duty ones good for about 2.5 tonne each. When gluing up large tops I'll use a pair of sash clamps and a few straps. The sash clamps will do the bulk of the work and hold the glue-up in one plane but the straps help to even out the pressure. They're also good for irregular shapes.

Mick

Originally Posted by NewLou

Gidday Everyone
To date I have gotten easily by with:
4 Medium sized Sash Clamps
4 Medium G Clamps
4 Small Clamps
2 Medium Heavy duty Quick Grips
REgards Lou :confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

Doesnt look as if you need any more then Lou. There is no set number, you need enough to get the job done so its always best to plan the job and calculate beforehand what materials you will need, including clamps and other hardware and tools.
beejay1

http://community.webshots.com/user/eunos9

With those DVD towers I made recently needed heaps of clamps, each tower needs 5 clamps each(20 all up,4 towers)with cleats to glue up the 5 shelfs in their dado slots.
How many is that when(and if)I start making them on a larger scale... I intend to make 10-20 towers at a time!
Think I need to make some clamping jigs!

As Mick says, ratchet straps are great for awkward glue ups. Also, I use masking tape for lots of my coopered jobs or for edge jointing drawer bottoms etc. Use the good quality (Norton) tape that stretches. Pull it tight across one side of the joint at several points, flip over and open up the joint to apply a thin line of glue, then close up. For drawer bottoms etc, stretch more tape across the other side of the joint.

For round boxes, etc, you can use rubber from an old inner tube. Cut a strip and wrap it around the box several times, giving it a slight stretch as you go. This exerts an amazing amount of pressure on the joints.

I think the number of clamps really depends on the scale of work you are doing. For the 600 x 450mm tops I glued up recently I used 2 sash clamps and 4 F clamps for the cross braces I use to keep the boards flat. Thats for each one. For the two that I did at one time I needed double that.

Were the peices are larger you obviously need more. Were you are doing a number of kitchen panel doors (20-30), the number needed starts to look ridiculous.

Sure you can limit the number of clamps, which is good for your pocket and space, but you also limit the amount of work you can do at once.

Thats why I say that scale will determine how many clamps you need.

I have (almost) enough clamps. I have:

Two 1200 mm Bessey K-body clamps;
Two 600 mm Bessey K-body clamps;
One 600 mm deep-throat bar clamp;
One 400 mm deep-throat bar clamp;
Three 300 mm bar clamps;
Two 200 mm G-clamps;
One 150 mm G-clamp;
Two 100 mm G-clamps;
Three 50 mm G-clamps;
Two strap clamps;
One Veritas 4-way clamp for picture frames.

I usually can get by with these; but ideally I would like a couple more 600 mm Bessey K-body clamps and a couple more 600 mm deep-throated bar clamps.

Rocker

The Patternmakers Vice is just so handy I wonder how I lived without it!

It has to count as a participant in the ultimate clamp kit!

P

Originally Posted by NewLou

To date I have gotten easily by with:

4 Medium sized Sash Clamps
4 Medium G Clamps
4 Small Clamps
2 Medium Heavy duty Quick Grips

I'm wondering what Forum members think bout this issue????................How many clamps do you really need??

REgards Lou :confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

As you get away easily with what you already have - you don't need any more.
If you do need more just for one job just get cheapies, but inspect each clamo closely to make sure its straight and aligned etc.
Knowing how to use wedges or a rope as a windlass should mean you can get any job clamped up even if you get caught on the hop.

Originally Posted by echnidna

Knowing how to use wedges or a rope as a windlass should mean you can get any job clamped up even if you get caught on the hop.

Arghhhhh Bob, me old pirate mate.
Squarrrk, shut up Polly, Arghhhhh

Al