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  1. #1
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    Default Square cabinets: Useful corner clamp/jigs?

    I’m rubbish at building things square.

    I’m about to churn out numerous bench/cabinets and wall cabinets for the Shed, so would like to make the process as quick and easy as possible. And as foolproof as possible!

    Do you have a favourite tool for keeping cabinets square as you glue and screw? I like the look of these Rockler corner clamping jigs - decent size, robust - but they’re quite pricey. The blue outside clampy bit is sold separately to the inner black form, so together they come to around $77 on special now at Carbatec

    I’m interested in anything that you use to simplify the task, while keeping it accurate.

    Screenshot 2019-06-02 14.35.40.jpg

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  3. #2
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    Default

    what about a Kreg pocket hole setup...
    I would love to grow my own food, but I can not find bacon seeds

  4. #3
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    Bern, if you plan to do many, then cut a bunch of 3/4" ply triangles, and drill holes for the head of a clamp - one on each side.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  5. #4
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    You don't need anything.

    A 16 ga. brad gun holds your edges in line while you drill and screw them (glue is overkill and not really needed) and the back holds the cabinet square.

  6. #5
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    If you're making a number of cabinets of the same size you can use your Parallel Action Clamps to keep things square. (No I'm not trying to sell him some, he already owns them. )
    - Fit dogs to the bottom of the fixed jaw and endstop (thread size is M6).
    - Drill holes in a board to accept the dogs that will allow you to use the side of the clamp (inside the bar) to hold your stock
    - The back of the cabinet and a spacer at the front will allow you to make as many units as you need without having to do anything beyond the initial setup.

    If you're doing multiples this setup will save you heaps of time. As far as I know only Parallel Action Clamps and Jet clamps are the only ones you can do this with.


    Clamp Dogs 7.jpgClamp Dogs 5.jpgClamp Dogs 4.jpgClamp Dogs 2.jpg

  7. #6
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    I build a fixture using plywood triangles as Derek suggested and attach them to a tall board. You can see one I made in this link

    New Router Table Build

    The most important thing about getting cabinets square is accuracy in measuring and more accuracy in cutting the components. Don't use a tape if you can avoid it use a steel rule and story sticks and make sure the fence if using a table saw cuts to exactly what the steel rule says by calibrating the fence tape to the rule.
    CHRIS

  8. #7
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bernmc View Post
    Do you have a favourite tool for keeping cabinets square as you glue and screw? I like the look of these Rockler corner clamping jigs - decent size, robust - but they’re quite pricey. The blue outside clampy bit is sold separately to the inner black form, so together they come to around $77 on special now at Carbatec
    I use these myself, and they used to be available as a kit, and it used this square: https://www.carbatec.com.au/rockler-...ssembly-square (slightly different to the one in your link) with a pait of https://www.carbatec.com.au/rockler-...l-fence-clamps.

    It worked out cheaper.

    NOTE: Found it: https://www.carbatec.com.au/clamping...r-clamp-it-kit

  9. #8
    FenceFurniture's Avatar
    FenceFurniture is offline The prize lies beneath - hidden in full view
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    Ok then, I'll swim against the tide of replies.

    I think four of the jig sets that Bern has linked to will be an invaluable asset in his shop. I know it's $308 for the set of four, but his immediate use is to build several cabinets....and several drawers for them too....and they will continue to get good and frequent use after the initial event.

    They are quick to use, clamps are built in - nothing sticking out all over the place which is really important in a small shop. IMO they are very worthwhile.

    Yes he could build something similar out of ply, but he has already said he is rubbish at building things square.......so if you are making jigs to make things square.....the egg comes before the chicken....dunnit?



    I have a set of 4 Woodpeckers aluminium right angles (so the equivalent of the black phenolic Rockler part) and I use them frequently.

    Pay the money for good tools....grin and bear it....and look at the pie-eatin' grin you get every time you use them. (keep a small hand-mirror in the shed)
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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  10. #9
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    The Clamp-it Jig is useless without the Assembly Square so why aren't they sold as a unit? The main pic. that Carbatec use shows both parts as a single unit and you have to do quite a bit of reading to find out that you need to order the assembly square separately. This is very deceptive marketing by Carbatec. I wonder how many get bought without the buyer realising that they need the assembly square as well? The price of these units is IMO completely ridiculous.

    If the OP uses his Parallel Action Clamps (and I've only got 3 left so this isn't about sales) he gets the same result with next to no outlay, it's simply a matter of making or buying some dogs. Any cabinets he's making only need to be the same width or depth and there's only one setup to do.

    Are the Rockler one's that much better that they're worth 5 times the price of these? - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/90-Right...frcectupt=true

  11. #10
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    They look good Dave. I made my own version of those out of Ironbark some years ago. I sold them when I bought the Woodpeckers phenolic version of them....and found them to be unbelievably frustrating to get them to work properly....wished I'd kept my own version.

    Bear in mind that they can only be used on same thickness boards, unless you use a packer on the thinner board (and that can be a bit of a PITA).

    At the price though, you could have eight of them and double the speed of glue ups, or use them top and bottom of the cabinet which would hold things very rigid. They are a bit more fiddly than the Rocklers in that rotating the handle can be a little limited if you have to contend with a base as well.
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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  12. #11
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    A couple of cheap picture frame corner clamps will hold things together, freeing up both hands. I agree with Elan, a couple of sixteen mill brads from a nailing gun will hold the pieces while screwing. The back will square the final assembly provided it has been cut square.

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by rustynail View Post
    I agree with Elan, a couple of sixteen mill brads from a nailing gun will hold the pieces while screwing.
    If you happen to own one.
    Agreed about the different thickness boards with the clamps I linked to Brett. I just can't get over the price of those Rockler clamps.

  14. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by FenceFurniture View Post
    Bear in mind that they can only be used on same thickness boards, unless you use a packer on the thinner board (and that can be a bit of a PITA).
    Quote Originally Posted by aldav View Post
    Agreed about the different thickness boards with the clamps I linked to Brett.
    You can use different thickness boards with these clamps, they have a swiveling design.

    49091AA7-5263-4DEB-B2B1-C248D75BF2D7.jpeg

    Ps

    I’ve bought four of these clamps, will let you know what they’re like when I’ve received them.
    Cheers

    DJ

  15. #14
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    I suggested making a few corner triangles from 3/4" ply as many corner squares appear to be needed. However, I have a few aluminium ones fro Bangood, which are excellent and cheap ...

    https://www.banggood.com/90-Degree-P...r_warehouse=CN



    Worth having a set of 4 or 8.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  16. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Acco View Post
    You can use different thickness boards with these clamps, they have a swiveling design.
    Ah goodo - missed that bit. That would mean slightly different pressure on the two boards, but I doubt that's of any importance.
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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