Thread: Clamps

any chance of some more detail/info on the clamps. no matter how many I have always want more or is that need more

C'mon Sheddie, give us the low down on the things. How difficult to prepare/use etc. As I amvery interested as I am in the market for some panel clamps.

G'day, sorry guys should have put more detail.
The Veritas Panel Clamp set (Cat. 05G16-01) is on page 96 of the 2005 Carba-Tec catalogue. The picture shows how the system works.
I made the bars from select grade 1.2m x 65mm X 42mm Tas Oak. The holes were bored with a 3/4" spade bit. All ends edges and holes were chamfered. The timber bars are only sanded (360#). The beauty of the system is that in a small shop you can stack panels rather than having to find a place for each panel which is PITA. If stacking panels you need to use 90x42 every second bar to allow dogs top and bottom.
As you can see 4 of the rails have dog holes drilled the full length and 2 are drilled only half length. No real reason except the only 3/4" spade bit I had was stuffed after so many holes (it was about 20 years old and well used).
In each end there is a Type 7 10g 40mm screw,(pre-drilled through to 42mm dimension) 40mm from the butt of the rail. This is to prevent splitting of the rail under tension
There would be no limit to the length of the bars I guess if you wanted to make a wide table top for example. The really nice thing about them is that bowed panels are a thing of the past.
Total cost of the 3 pairs of clamps was $159 (3 clamp sets) + $38 (4 off 1.2m x 65 x 42 Tas Oak Select DAR) + $4.00Screws Type 7 x 10g x 40mm = $181.00.
Cheers

thanks shed, had been trying to work out a way to make panel clamps from steel, but you showed me the light. all I have to do now is tell swmbo why I'm spending more $$$ on clamps

Originally Posted by mickp

thanks shed, had been trying to work out a way to make panel clamps from steel, but you showed me the light. all I have to do now is tell swmbo why I'm spending more $$$ on clamps

You won't regret buying them mate. Good luck with the lady banker.

Originally Posted by Shedhand

I made 3 pairs of long clamps for panels with my new Veritas clamps components.

Very clever Sheddie! I couldn't justify buying those clamps as their use was too limited - until now!

Sheddie, you know you can actually sharpen a spade bit. Right?

Looks interesting, but with the way my homebrew stuff has been turning out, I'll prolly end up wangling some clamps somehow.

As always, just need to find a big pile of copper...