Thread: Clamp for Incra Jig

I think the general idea is to have a non-metallic clamp, so that if you get something wrong you don't end up destroying the router bit & have pieces whiz about the shop.

From time to time Bunnings have some plastic "C" clamps for about $4 - I have a few 'just in case' but I also have a pile of the wooden 2 screw cabinet makers clamps too - I got mine from Carbatec for between $6 and $12 IIRC.

Big Shed
I initially used a Bessey clamp with my LS and just found it too heavy and awkward. I have since been using a wooden parallel clamp and found it a much better solution.
Welcome to Incra! I've only had my LS system a short time and don't get a lot of time "in the shed" (my company keeps sending me away from home!!) but its a great bit of kit and I love the accuracy and simplicity of it. I'm madly saving for one of their mitre guages now.
Cheers
Thornburn

Thanks brslee and thornburn, cabinet screw clamps it is.

As I have never used these or purchased any, what sizes am I looking for?

Am planning a trip to Carbatec sometime this week now that I have my Triton router problem fixed and I can actually start using the router table and Incra jig.

Big Shed
My parallel clamp is a 10" wooden one from Carbatec.

Cheers
Thornburn

Originally Posted by Thornburn

Big Shed
My parallel clamp is a 10" wooden one from Carbatec.

Cheers
Thornburn

Thanks for that, 10" it is.

Try making the clamp. You can purchase the thread cutters from MIK or Timbercon and its a great excercise in tool making.

Originally Posted by rat52

Try making the clamp. You can purchase the thread cutters from MIK or Timbercon and its a great excercise in tool making.

Rat, I hve just spent a LOT of time building my router table for the Incra jig, think I'll just buy the clamp, it will both quicker and cheaper, and I'll actually get to use the Incra jig!


You never know, may well do so in the future, certainly have some suitable timber laying around for this.

Have just made a dead blow mallet using some of this timber.

Big Shed
I would be interested in the design of the dead blow hammer you've just made. Is it a better choice of tool for woodwork?
Thanks
Thornburn

Thornburn, sent you a PM.

Originally got this design from Brown Dog, but I'm sure he won't mind me passing on a copy.

I have been using the "Maple Cam Clamps" from Woodcraft:

http://woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=328

With good success. I didn't like how heavy and over-balancing the screw clamps were...

Enjoy!

Tim

I've tried the wood clamp shown in the videos and you know what - I'm far to clumsy to make it work. Now the timber I use has a front and back peice on it so I don't get any break out, the benefit, I can use a trusty old G-clamp from bunnies the 100 MM one is light holds firm, dope proof and was cheap as chips

Big Shed ..... how have you found the 10" cabinet screw clamp with the Incra?

I have been having all sorts of problems as the right angle sled is 150mm high ..... I want to be able to cut dovetails and box joints in timber that is only 30-40mm high which means that the clamp used needs at least 120mm depth. I cant seem to find anything that will do the job. The Carbatec site does not give the depth of the 10". I dont know why you cant purchase a lower right angle block for smller boxes.

Also I am finding with a screw clamp, such as an F clamp it tends to twist the timber out of square when tightening.

There have been a couple of options that I was thinking of using ..... the 18" locking pliers .... however I don't think these will give much room to stack a number of blanks ..... or the Cam Clamp (if I can find one locally) as it will not twist.

If the 10" Carbatec is the bees knees I will go that way!

SS, I think Fred is away at the moment so he may not answer straight away, but I have the same clamp at home, will measure it tomorrow for you when I go home, probably be about lunch time.

Another alternative is the Lidwig clamps, have one of the smaller ones and it is a very versatile unit I reckon, not sure if they have one that has the reach you need though.

Thanks DJ ..... I have looked at the Lidwig following the review on Stu's Shed and they look good for the purpose but even the X7 is a maximum of 100mm depth.

I purchased a 4" cabinet maker clamp from Carbatec one time but it is no where need deep enough (only 75mm from the screw to the tip) ... no matter how many times I try.

I have just gone and had another look at my setup. It would appear that I mounted the right angle fixture the wrong way around which resulted on the little lip that should be on the bottom facing towards the rear at the top facing forward. I did notice this the other day and thought it odd as long peices wouldn't sit flush with the fence face but since I havent used it for anything this long before it hasn't been an issue.

I have also tried to turn the right angle fence around to utilise the other channels with the hope of being able to lower the fence but it doesnt work. Its a bit of a worry now that I have put the fence around the right way as it leaves a 37mm gap from the table to the bottom of the fence which only allows 18mm of the timber to be in contact with the fence.