Box or Frame Clamp
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- Vectric Wizard
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Box or Frame Clamp
I have been making several boxes, drawers and similar things with finger joints and dovetail joints and proper clamping was always a challenge. Normal clamps do work but for even application of pressure along the joints a large number of clamps may be needed and additional measures to keep everything square as well. I tried also frame clamps with threaded rods but found them cumbersome. Sometimes the glue starts setting while I am tying to align all the parts.
So, I came up with my own adjustable box clamps that can be pre-adjusted when dry-fitting, tightened quickly (I use a battery powered impact driver) and keep everything square. I did not do research if that is anything already invented, but so far I have not seen it yet. Thanks to Dan P. who initiated this idea with a fixed size clamp.
If somebody is interested, the V-Carve file for the plywood parts can be downloaded here
So, I came up with my own adjustable box clamps that can be pre-adjusted when dry-fitting, tightened quickly (I use a battery powered impact driver) and keep everything square. I did not do research if that is anything already invented, but so far I have not seen it yet. Thanks to Dan P. who initiated this idea with a fixed size clamp.
If somebody is interested, the V-Carve file for the plywood parts can be downloaded here
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- Vectric Apprentice
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Very nice. I'm sure it will come in handy. Thanks for the file.
- Ms Wolffie
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Thanks for the file.
Just a question:
Why are the clamps serrated?
Cheers
Wolffie
Just a question:
Why are the clamps serrated?
Cheers
Wolffie
Cheers
Wolffie
Whatshammacallit
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Wolffie
Whatshammacallit
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Thank you for sharing, truly a cool clamping method!
Re: Box or Frame Clamp
I like your clamp, nice job. I'm figuring that the serrations reduce slippage.
Phil
Phil
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Thank you for sharing the file. It is very innovative.
I am going to cut mine out of 12 mm Corian. If some parts are a little flimsy, I will cut doubles for those and make a glue-up to 24 mm
I have about 1,500 kg of Corian off-cuts in various colours and most pieces are larger than the material size required for cutting this file. I will collect another 1,500 kg of Corian off-cuts later in December. The best part is that it is all for free.
Joz
I am going to cut mine out of 12 mm Corian. If some parts are a little flimsy, I will cut doubles for those and make a glue-up to 24 mm
I have about 1,500 kg of Corian off-cuts in various colours and most pieces are larger than the material size required for cutting this file. I will collect another 1,500 kg of Corian off-cuts later in December. The best part is that it is all for free.
Joz
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- Vectric Wizard
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Joz, sounds like a plan. Since you have tons of it (envious here) you probably know how to deal with it. My only concern would be that Corian is kind of brittle. Not sure how much clamping force you could apply before it cracks.Jozua wrote:Thank you for sharing the file. It is very innovative.
I am going to cut mine out of 12 mm Corian. If some parts are a little flimsy, I will cut doubles for those and make a glue-up to 24 mm
I have about 1,500 kg of Corian off-cuts in various colours and most pieces are larger than the material size required for cutting this file. I will collect another 1,500 kg of Corian off-cuts later in December. The best part is that it is all for free.
Joz
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- Vectric Wizard
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Yes, in a way. The original design had cross-drilled bolt heads with a steel dowel that registered with the serration. That worked but is more complicated then necessary and does not really have a benefit.Phil wrote:I like your clamp, nice job. I'm figuring that the serrations reduce slippage.
Phil
The published design uses smaller carriage bolts that don't need to be modified with their heads in a small sliding block. But there are other modifications possible.
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- Vectric Wizard
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Actually, you have a point for consideration.Tailmaker wrote:My only concern would be that Corian is kind of brittle. Not sure how much clamping force you could apply before it cracks.
On the other hand how much clamping pressure does one really need for a small box?
It is really not necessary to clamp the “living daylights” out of it.
I will see how it performs.
Joz
Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Interesting idea! Thanks!
Ken Zey
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- gordread
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Great idea. Thanks for the files.
Gordon
Gordon
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Thank you!
Paul Rowntree
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- bill565
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Thanks for the file, and cant wait to try it out.
Bill
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- Vectric Wizard
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp
Thanks for the file , I like making box's maybe this will be the one to retire all the box clamping stuff I use . Thanks pop's
POPS1964
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