When your clamps are too small...

[Carlos Alvarez]

Not mine, I found this on Reddit. But it's certainly a useful idea. Could also be done sideways from a heavy workbench. The other day I used an extra-heavy pool noodle as a pressure device between a wall and a surface where there was no way to clamp otherwise.

https://i.imgur.com/5c1Lcbi.jpg

[John Patric]

Why can't the steel I-beam hold up the wooden beam ?

[Doug Garson]

Great work around, have to try and remember it if I have the same problem. Kinda like how guitar makers use flexible strips of wood wedged between the ceiling and guitar when gluing the body together.
http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Features/JT2000/JT2000Views/jt83.jpg

[Frederick Skelly]

Necessity is truly the mother of invention!

I've seen a trick where you use a piece of scrap for a clamp extender. You measure the length of clamp needed and subtract the length of two of your existing clamps. Then you drill a 1" hole on each end of the scrap. Put one end of each clamp on the work and the other end in the hole in the scrap. I haven't needed to try it, but it looked like it should work with some fiddling. (Myself, I'd grab a pipe clamp.)
Fred

[Osvaldo Cristo]

I made four weights each 20+ pounds using concrete. It was 25 years ago and I have used them sometimes... the last one just a couple of months ago.

[glenn bradley]

Good innovation with what is on hand. Cool move.

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi, I bought 4 of the Bessey clamp extenders, that way I can simply link 2 together to make clamps that are longer.

They work great, if I have a clamp is only a little bit short, I can link a short one to it, if I need a long one I can link that to it.

They give you a longer clamp that's not way too long to be easily used.............Rod.

[Wade Lippman]

I've used pocket screws a couple times when I didn't have enough big clamps.

[Charlie Jones]

I keep a few bricks. Sometimes are very handy for glue ups.

[Rick Potter]

Fluorescent ballasts make great weights, and they are flat on the bottom.

[Art Mann]

I use a hydraulic jack in a way similar to how you are using the clamp.

[Van Huskey]

Am I the only one totally "fascinated" by the way that old building is framed? I just can't stop looking at it.

[Ted Phillips]

This got me thinking about Louis Sauzedde (Tips from a Shipwright). He uses some "bricks" cast out of lead as clamp substitutes frequently. I'm amazed he hasn't gotten lead poisoning using those things...

[Carlos Alvarez]

Well, he's probably not chewing on them, just a guess though and I really don't know what he might be into.