I’ve never cleaned them and this time I want to after seeing some black spots on my projects. I’m not good online so please help me here. What stuff do I clean these with? Thanks, everyone
I’ve never cleaned them and this time I want to after seeing some black spots on my projects. I’m not good online so please help me here. What stuff do I clean these with? Thanks, everyone
Two T's Woodshop
Personally, I'd use naphtha or alcohol.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
Not sure what the best way to clean the pipe, I just use painters tape on all my clamps where the pipe or bar contacts the workpiece to prevent staining.
It’s a messy process but mineral spirits has worked for me in the past.
Black spots on your project is likely a chemical reaction between the steel pipe, tannic acid in the wood, and moisture from the glue. If it really is oil, I prefer Simple Green.
Tape works to keep dirt, oil, or simply the iron surface away from you work, but it needs to be reapplied each time you change the clamping length. If you slice PVC pipe into 1" long cylinders, then put a kerf in each on the bandsaw, these can easily be popped onto the pipe. They can easily slide along the pipe to hold work away from the pipe surface as you clamp. While they can be installed or removed in seconds, I simply leave them in place on my pipe clamps, sliding them into position for use.
I haven't let pipe touch wood for decades, but I'm centering the contact point of the wood on the center of the tightening screw. Best way to keep from bowing the glue up by centering the forces on the center of the wood. The pvc may not be thick enough to do that, but would certainly keep the pipe out of the glue.
Some methods for cleaning are also discussed in this thread from July. LINK
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Thanks again for the info. I will try a few of these and see what works for me. Thanks everyone, Terry
Two T's Woodshop
Terry, even with my parallel clamps, I put a little clear packing tape on the clamp rail to keep glue from sticking and with pipe clamps, you'd get the same benefit plus protection from any marking like you describe.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
I'm going to try some refrigerator magnets.