Bob Riefer
04-05-2020, 10:51 AM
Hello SMC! I hope everyone is weathering these unprecedented times.
I did a bunch of searches and am not finding what I think I need... perhaps you all can help (as usual) :-)
In terms of clamps, I have a mish mash of yard sale finds - pipe clamps of various brands and condition. Mostly pony and jorgensen if I remember correctly, and ranging from (I think) 1/2" to 3/4" pipe and in lengths from 2 feet through 50".
I also have 2 harbor freight aluminum bar clamps. And am finding that with newly upgraded and tuned tools in my shop resulting in easier glue ups (i.e. parts are fitting together with ease), that I've been reaching for these two clamps the most these days. Having only two of them, I usually add some pipe clamps as a second step.
What I've found recently is that while the HF clamps are probably inferior to my mish mash clamps, it's very nice that they're exact twins of each other, consistent height/flat surface etc., and nice and light to move around. I've read some nice tutorials here on how to strengthen those clamps and am going to give that a try.
So, here's my plan... (then my question)
So that I can (financially) get an immediate start, I'm going to round out my collection of HF aluminum bar clamps (and still keep my mish mash).
In a few years when my kids are a bit older, I would like to gift my entire clamp collection to them and upgrade my own. I'll know more about what I like / don't like by then, the kids will benefit, and I'll get to pick a consistent collection etc.
Question..
All that to say this... I like to do my glue ups on a 30" x 60" maple butcher block assembly table on dual locking casters. I can easily move the table around to access all sides, allow clamps to hang off the back side without hitting the wall etc.
What I'm picturing is some sort of rack, or maybe two rails, that I can affix to the table top that will hold my clamps in place while I'm doing glue ups. Besides holding the clamps, I feel like these can help me create a common/predictable plane so I can ensure flat glue ups (I think that's basically the concept of a caul?), and I can probably pretty easily catch glue drips too.
My initial design (after a fair amount of googling) is plywood or hardwood rails that would each have a series of notches cut in them to accept the clamps every (say) 6 inches (this would allow 10 clamps down the length of the assembly table). The notches would be cut such that the top of the bar clamp stands slightly proud / above the rail.
I would probably have 3 rails parallel to each other so that I can use the same rig for 24" and 36" clamps. Maybe a 4th rail can be added when needed for wider glue ups.
Perhaps the rails could have periodic holes drilled to accept quick clamps for instances where I need to add a straight edge board across the top of the glue up for keeping things straight. Again, I think that's a caul concept if I'm using that term correctly.
I'm thinking of hanging the contraption from the ceiling near my assembly bench so that I can easily pull it down when needed, and store out of the way otherwise.
When in use, I would C-clamp the setup to my assembly table with a piece of painters paper protecting the table from glue drips.
Most times, I finish getting my clamps on and then pickup the panel and clamps and lean against a wall someplace. Gives me an opportunity to scrape glue off the bottom of the panel too.
Edit: another thought would be to have the rack hinged off the back long side of the assembly table so it hangs harmlessly out of my way when not needed, but swings on top when required.
Thoughts? I'm sure this has been solved many times, I just couldn't find what I was looking for.
I did a bunch of searches and am not finding what I think I need... perhaps you all can help (as usual) :-)
In terms of clamps, I have a mish mash of yard sale finds - pipe clamps of various brands and condition. Mostly pony and jorgensen if I remember correctly, and ranging from (I think) 1/2" to 3/4" pipe and in lengths from 2 feet through 50".
I also have 2 harbor freight aluminum bar clamps. And am finding that with newly upgraded and tuned tools in my shop resulting in easier glue ups (i.e. parts are fitting together with ease), that I've been reaching for these two clamps the most these days. Having only two of them, I usually add some pipe clamps as a second step.
What I've found recently is that while the HF clamps are probably inferior to my mish mash clamps, it's very nice that they're exact twins of each other, consistent height/flat surface etc., and nice and light to move around. I've read some nice tutorials here on how to strengthen those clamps and am going to give that a try.
So, here's my plan... (then my question)
So that I can (financially) get an immediate start, I'm going to round out my collection of HF aluminum bar clamps (and still keep my mish mash).
In a few years when my kids are a bit older, I would like to gift my entire clamp collection to them and upgrade my own. I'll know more about what I like / don't like by then, the kids will benefit, and I'll get to pick a consistent collection etc.
Question..
All that to say this... I like to do my glue ups on a 30" x 60" maple butcher block assembly table on dual locking casters. I can easily move the table around to access all sides, allow clamps to hang off the back side without hitting the wall etc.
What I'm picturing is some sort of rack, or maybe two rails, that I can affix to the table top that will hold my clamps in place while I'm doing glue ups. Besides holding the clamps, I feel like these can help me create a common/predictable plane so I can ensure flat glue ups (I think that's basically the concept of a caul?), and I can probably pretty easily catch glue drips too.
My initial design (after a fair amount of googling) is plywood or hardwood rails that would each have a series of notches cut in them to accept the clamps every (say) 6 inches (this would allow 10 clamps down the length of the assembly table). The notches would be cut such that the top of the bar clamp stands slightly proud / above the rail.
I would probably have 3 rails parallel to each other so that I can use the same rig for 24" and 36" clamps. Maybe a 4th rail can be added when needed for wider glue ups.
Perhaps the rails could have periodic holes drilled to accept quick clamps for instances where I need to add a straight edge board across the top of the glue up for keeping things straight. Again, I think that's a caul concept if I'm using that term correctly.
I'm thinking of hanging the contraption from the ceiling near my assembly bench so that I can easily pull it down when needed, and store out of the way otherwise.
When in use, I would C-clamp the setup to my assembly table with a piece of painters paper protecting the table from glue drips.
Most times, I finish getting my clamps on and then pickup the panel and clamps and lean against a wall someplace. Gives me an opportunity to scrape glue off the bottom of the panel too.
Edit: another thought would be to have the rack hinged off the back long side of the assembly table so it hangs harmlessly out of my way when not needed, but swings on top when required.
Thoughts? I'm sure this has been solved many times, I just couldn't find what I was looking for.