Hey, what are those clamps? Answered...

[ThomasW]

Whenever I post pictures of a build showing the corner clamps I use there are many questions about what they are and who sells them.

Here are images of them from the speaker camp thread...





I've owned these for almost 20yrs and it wasn't until recently that I finally figured out where I bought them...



BUT unlike the above mine aren't 12lbs of steel, nor did I pay that much money.

So the search was on and here's what I found for $15+ shipping....http://www.grizzly.com/products/g8101



And it turns out Grizzly has the best pricing on the 'real' ones of these used for welding, differences being cast iron vs cast alu for the $15 ones.

[keltor]

I have some similar ones, but from Bessey. Take a look.

[jyqureshi]

I bought four similar clamps made of aluminum from harbor freight tools and they turned out to be of poor quality and would not hold the pieces straight, 90º to the work bench.

Northerntool ones look like the best bet if you can afford them.

[ThomasW]

I have some similar ones, but from Bessey. Take a look.

The Bessey limits the wood to equal thickensses for each leg of the angle. Most of the time that wouldn't be a problem, but occasionally I'm working with materials of different thicknesses and that's where the other clamp's design works well.

[wackii]

Well, I'm a cheap guy. I bought some at Harbor Freight for 1.99 each (on sale).

3-inch Corner Clamp

It gets the job done :B

Al,

[keltor]

The Bessey limits the wood to equal thickensses for each leg of the angle. Most of the time that wouldn't be a problem, but occasionally I'm working with materials of different thicknesses and that's where the other clamp's design works well.

I have a lot of clamping in the middle which the Bessey also offers, but I always just use spacers to balance the sizes. My dad has these ductile cast iron monsters (more for industrial welding) that he uses ... they rust so fast that with slow set glue they sometimes leave some rust behind. :rofl:

[JonMarsh]

I like these- have a few sets.


Image not available

[JoshK]

I have a set of the Grizzly double corner clamps. They work nicely.

[Face]

My local Sears has similar clamps, cheap and heavy duty versions.

[ch83575]

Clamps are for wussies :P

Just get yourself a brad nailer and save yourself the days of time spent in clamps. Yeah, yeah, I know the glue joint isn't as strong, but it still takes a big hammer to take the boxes apart when they have dried. And I for one don't hammer on my finished speakers very often.

Just how I do it, your millage may vary.


-Chad

[keltor]

I cannot speak for speakers ...

But I have made a number of cabinet, hope chests, and boxy things of this nature. If it's small and light, I will use glue + angled brads, but for anything larger or intended to last for a longer amount of time, I use glue + countersunk screws. I generally then either plug the hole OR fill it and veneer over it.

My plan for the speakers I'll be building (hopefully rather soon ...) is to build a box out of MDF or HDF then veneer it with 1/4" thick wood which I will glue to the MDF/HDF. Of course I'll have to account for this with the baffle, but its not that hard.

[ThomasW]

Turns out MLCS sells a version of this clamp...$24.95 item TV suggestions until FP

Image not available

[RobP]

I have several of these that I use for corner clamping,very versatile. They are made by Kreg Tool



I also use these Jet clamps, they provide some pressure, but work well more for a third hand.

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[Paul Ebert]

I have several of these that I use for corner clamping,very versatile. They are made by Kreg Tool

Are they what you used for the front wheel of the trike?

[RobP]

Are they what you used for the front wheel of the trike?

:lol: Yes, as a matter of fact I did, really improved the ride and handling!

[JVC]

...incredible the variety of tools...
thanks

[ThomasW]

Popped this thread to the top since Peachtree is having a sale on clamps similar to the ones from Grizzly. $10ea is a good price..

http://www.ptreeusa.com/edirect_091809.htm

[Face]

It would cost $100 at my local Sears for 4 of those style clamps, thanks!

[Steidl Guitars]

My first post, and I am about to contradict a moderator. You should ban me! 8O

The Bessey limits the wood to equal thickensses for each leg of the angle. Most of the time that wouldn't be a problem, but occasionally I'm working with materials of different thicknesses and that's where the other clamp's design works well.

I have a couple of the Bessey's and they actually do work on materials of unequal thicknesses, it's just the the ad copy is badly written!

"...secures two equal sized pieces up to 2” in width each, or two pieces of different sizes, with one up to 2-1/2” and the other up to 7/8”.

Just wanted to clarify...

Bob

[JonMarsh]

Watch out, contradict the moderators successfully and with good reason three times, and we make you one, with all the associated duties and responsibilities, and the same pay as we get- bupkis! :W

Consider yourself warned!

[CupCak3]

Those sold out already???? grrr should have jumped on it yesterday when I first saw Thomas's post

[Steidl Guitars]

Not nearly as heavy duty as the one's Thomas has, but these look to be a good deal from Lee Valley, a great company:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=62624&cat=1,44047&ap=1

[Face]

Those are under $8 per pair at my local Home Depot and Sears.

[JonW]

Not nearly as heavy duty as the one's Thomas has, but these look to be a good deal from Lee Valley, a great company:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...t=1,44047&ap=1

Those are under $8 per pair at my local Home Depot and Sears.

Eh, I’ve got a pile of those small clamps and I don’t like them. They’re small enough such that they cannot impart much force and really align things well. I think I’ll get some clamps like what Thomas started this thread for. And see if these work any better. They look more substantial and suited to the task. (Thanks Thomas.) Gluing up a really straight cabinet is a skill that has remained elusive for a hack like me. ops:

Edit: The small clamps are fine if you're gluing up something small, like a little box or something, I'd think. But when you're making a floor standing speaker cabinet, I did not find them to work too well.

[Pat.M]

Here is a site that has a lot of useful items to make jobs easier

http://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/smartparts/routeraccessories.htm

[FtWorthHorn]

Well, I'm a cheap guy. I bought some at Harbor Freight for 1.99 each (on sale).

3-inch Corner Clamp

It gets the job done :B

Al,

I can back these up. They do exactly what I needed them to do. Really they're just there to align until you can get the bar clamps on, so you don't need anything heavy-duty.