Box or Frame Clamp

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Tailmaker
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Box or Frame Clamp

Post by Tailmaker »

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

Image

AlbertaClipper
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by AlbertaClipper »

Very nice. I'm sure it will come in handy. Thanks for the file.

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Ms Wolffie
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by Ms Wolffie »

Thanks for the file.
Just a question:
Why are the clamps serrated?
Cheers
Wolffie
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kaartman
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by kaartman »

Thank you for sharing, truly a cool clamping method!

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Phil
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by Phil »

I like your clamp, nice job. I'm figuring that the serrations reduce slippage.

Phil

Jozua
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by Jozua »

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

Tailmaker
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by Tailmaker »

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
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.

Tailmaker
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by Tailmaker »

Phil wrote:I like your clamp, nice job. I'm figuring that the serrations reduce slippage.

Phil
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.
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.

Jozua
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by Jozua »

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.
Actually, you have a point for consideration.

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

kzeyus
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by kzeyus »

Interesting idea! Thanks!
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gordread
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by gordread »

Great idea. Thanks for the files.

Gordon

GraClay

Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by GraClay »

That is a terrific idea and thanks from me too for the file.

GC

PaulRowntree
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by PaulRowntree »

Thank you!
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bill565
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by bill565 »

Thanks for the file, and cant wait to try it out.

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pops1964
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Re: Box or Frame Clamp

Post by pops1964 »

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 :mrgreen:
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