Woodworking Clamps Lost Secret: Or Marketing Gimmick?
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- Опубліковано 19 сер 2024
- Clamping technique rediscovered from a 1980s Shopsmith magazine advertisement. Does it work, or is it just marketing eye candy?
In this video I test out two alternate techniques for clamping workpieces using my Shopsmith Double Bar Clamps. This type of clamp is also sometimes call four-way pressure clamps or panel clamps.
Can these Double Bar Clamps be re-purposed as regular bar clamps or even be configured as a veneer press? I answer these question in this video.
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Nick Engler is fantastic! I love his channel and his books.
When I saw your headline I first thought of their Maxi-Clamp Set which I own but never put to use.
Hi Tim. I do have the Maxi-Clamp system. Neat little set. I used maybe 2 times a year. I do use the Maxi-Clamp in a video as a position index for the drill press.
ua-cam.com/video/3Z4m0L6PZW0/v-deo.html
make some 'U' shaped spacer blocks to take up excessive thread length, spreads any side pressure. Shims, thin wedges under caul near non-flush locations to make slight flush adjustments.
I have similar clamps bought from the local woodstore. They did not come with the wooden parts you have to make them youself. Did not know about the veneer clamp capability will have to try one day. Thank you again for some wonderful insight into stuff I already have.
Thanks Jim. Glad you enjoyed the video!
I have a set of those. They were given to me by a cabinet maker who changed over to a vacuum press.
They came with short boards that were covered in glue. I ran them over my jointer and cleaned them up. Then, I started throwing down wax paper between the cauls and panels… both beneath and on top… when I glued them up.
I needed longer cauls… so, I found a couple of 6’ white oak pallet runners. They were rough cut and still green.
As I was ripping them they bowed. I let them dry and ended up with four sets of fairly well matched 3’ pairs. They had about 1/4” of bow. So, I clamped them together in pairs with the gap from the bow between. Using a heavy C-clamp, I was able to close the gap. That allowed me to drill half holes in each, along the crack, for the bite of the press clamps.
Once I put them to use I found that the bow in the clamps got rid of the pressure void in the center that I got when doing wide panels.
I haven’t had call to use my clamps for a year or so, but I have to make a night stand this winter. Me thinks they’ll get trotted out for that!
Tom, I’ve never tried to veneer clamp with them… and because I only have 4… I probably never will. But, it is interesting!
Dave, thanks for watching and commenting. Nice to know people are out there. I have found all of my double bar clamps in the used market. When they come up expensive I let 'em good, when they come up cheap I grab 'em. Now I am maxed out with no more space so, I can give others a chance to buy them. 😁
BTW - I was using packing tape to deal with the glue. Now I just keep a coat of paste wax on them and that works well.
@@woodshopnerdery why caul? just build up of veneer temp stick-um shims when a caul situation is wanted.
I own these and they are great for panel glue ups. I remember reading about the bar clamp usage in the instructions but it looked a Rube Goldberg contraption to me and your video confirms it. Better to just buy inexpensive pipe clamps or bar clamps. Shopsmith sells a new version of the clamps. But the cauls and the hardware separately or as a package. Same wood cauls but hardware looks cheaper.
Thanks for watching and commenting! I agree with you a out the new clamps.
I have the original instructions. As I remember the clamps to me then were so new (as was I to woodworking) that I shelved the instructions and until today never thought of the bar clamp usage since. I’ve watched the veneer press SSmith video but I’ve used them only as panel clamps.
I’ll snoop as see if I can locate the instructions -
I’ll let you know.
Excellent video.👍👍
Thanks for the compliments John! And thanks for supporting me with your views and comments, I really appreciate it!
Thomas, intriguing, as usual! I’ve been poking around looking for used clamps; no joy so far. Might have to buy new …
Shopsmith and Wood Craft both sell a version of these clamps. Unfortunately, they are not even close to the great design of the original version of the double bar clamp that Shopsmith used to sell, and that Thomas has in the video.
Thanks for the compliments John. Glad you liked it.
BTW - Chad Nevels is right, Shopsmith now sells a version of the double bar clamp where the hardware is the same as can be found from Rockler, Amazon and a number of other places. I have owned that type before, and they do work. However, I gave them away to make more storage room for the original Shopsmith version.
Tom, Thanks for the explanation of how the SS Double bar clamps work as a press. I have never been able to figure out the instructions Shopsmith provided...Also, I have not seen Nick's bar clamp video(yet). Thanks for the reference. I actually had the privilege of taking a Shopsmith class that Nick taught before he left Shopsmith. He is amazing! jim
Thanks James! Yes we have some great resources form Nick!
make some slip-on 'U" block feet to stop the floppy fall overs while setting up. all these to cut, not under clamp pressure, glue exposure time .
Thanks for the great video, Tom. I hope that I can eventually find some used ones like you did.
You’re welcome Mark. I bought all of mine used over time at pretty good prices. They come up for sale from time to time on eBay.
Great video. Really enjoyed.
I have a set of the old ones with the retro spaceship cast wing handles with the fun grooves in them. Also have a set of modern ones. Have you seen the Woodpeckers ones? They're umm pricey... I mean if you regularly abandon cars when they run out of gas maybe it's affordable but holy shit they're expensive.
So glad you like you enjoyed it! I have seen the Clampzilla videos, very nice.
I’ll not look for the missing info page - Scott let me know!👍👍
Yeah, I saw Scott's comment confirming the single bar clamp abilities. That's okay, these clamps earn their keep by being awesome panel clamps!
4:00 + use longer linkage arms.
i can't find these anywhere.
I picked mine up by watching ebay, offerup, etc. They do come up from time to time.
Why store bought? This is DIY tool build straight from the scrap/junk bin.
You are correct, the same purpose could be severed with home made cauls. The "why" for me is I picked up my collection of these clamps used at relatively good prices and enjoy the single action clamping. Meaning, I tighten on screw and it applies 4-way pressure. Also, regarding the "why" it is sort of a slippery slope, where do you stop making your own tools? For me I would rather use the tools to complete project as opposed to being a tool maker.
@@woodshopnerdery metal hardware right from the nut and bolt bins at Home Depot, Lowe's.
I look forward to your video on that build, @Stu Bonner Scott
nice content! Thanks!! what species did you select for the clamp bars?
Thanks! The wood cauls and metal clamping hardware was made by Shopsmith. But I have been told that they used poplar.
'F' clamp the ends of the cauls together to stop the lift up. ?????