Extra leverage for F-clamps

[pop-pop]

I have entered the second semester of being an octogenarian and my hands are slowly losing their grip. This is showing up in difficulty tightening and loosening these F-clamps. So I added some leverage with a hole drilled thru the handle for a 1/4” dia. brass tommy bar.

Drilled the cross hole in the red handle on a DP with this setup.

Here’s a clamp with the tommy bar inserted temporarily.

I think that I may have to drill a second cross hole at 90 degrees to the first hole (offset so the the holes do not intersect).

 

[mkepke]

Good solution. I have a lot of pre-REVO K-body clamps and the round wooden handles are kind of miserable regardless of one's age.

Any concerns about risk of splitting the handle?

-Mark

 

[wbarnes]

Pop-pop, I always love your simple ingenuity.

 

[holcombej]

Pop, I drilled thru mine and put in a 1/4 X 4 hex head with a lock nut. May have to rethink it and go with yours as the bolts sometimes hit each other when using multiple clamps.

 

[bob vaughan]

My hand grip is getting weaker also. When using my gluing bar clamps and pipe clamps, I've found a wrench is very helpful. On the Bessy box-maker's clamps, I found a T-handle Allen wrench is nice for a little more pressure.

 

[pop-pop]

Any concerns about risk of splitting the handle?
-Mark

Not really. It doesn’t take much more to tighten enough or loosen. Maybe 10-20 percent more?

 

[pop-pop]

Pop, I drilled thru mine and put in a 1/4 X 4 hex head with a lock nut. May have to rethink it and go with yours as the bolts sometimes hit each other when using multiple clamps.

Remembering that collision from smallish C-clamps with sliding cross pins is why I just used a hole with a loose pin. I added the knob mainly to find the tommy bar when I misplace it.

 

[golfdad]

I gave up yrs ago and started getting my clamps @ Harbor Frieght. They have rubber handles and make a world of difference

 

[drw]

Mike, you may not have the grip of your youth, but your mind is still as sharp as ever...great tip!

 

[Rwe2156]

I've found hockey tape works really good.

Occasionally I use the hex on the Besseys, but I'm always asking my self "why does it need to be that tight maybe something is wrong?"

 

[Kirk S]

Pop-Pop, thank you for sharing, this thread has shown that their is a need to share this type of information. Little changes that can help to extend ones woodworking hobby.

 

[pop-pop]

I think that I may have to drill a second cross hole at 90 degrees to the first hole (offset so the the holes do not intersect).

Definitely two holes are needed when clamps are close. This project is a vinyl record storage storage box for our grandson.

Plan on storing the tommy bar with the clamps.

 

[Martin Roper]

 

[petebucy4638]

I have entered the second semester of being an octogenarian and my hands are slowly losing their grip. This is showing up in difficulty tightening and loosening these F-clamps. So I added some leverage with a hole drilled thru the handle for a 1/4” dia. brass tommy bar.
View attachment 224016

Drilled the cross hole in the red handle on a DP with this setup.
View attachment 224017

Here’s a clamp with the tommy bar inserted temporarily.
View attachment 224018

I think that I may have to drill a second cross hole at 90 degrees to the first hole (offset so the the holes do not intersect).

I saw something like this years ago. In one case they glued a steel ferrule using epoxy to the outside of the handle, then drilled it. I suspect that the ferrule kept the handle from splitting. Another fellow attached a steel nut to the handle with a lag bolt and epoxy and used a wrench to tighten the handle. Both appeared to work well.

 

[Keye]

Wish I had seen this some years ago. I have buggered up the wood handles on quite a number of clamps. Both thumbs are bad from being a baseball catcher for many years.

The only thing I would add to what has already been said is be careful of over tightening with the additional leverage. I learned this the hard way.

 

[pop-pop]

Wish I had seen this some years ago. I have buggered up the wood handles on quite a number of clamps. Both thumbs are bad from being a baseball catcher for many years.

The only thing I would add to what has already been said is be careful of over tightening with the additional leverage. I learned this the hard way.

In limited use so far, I snug the clamp by hand and give another 1/4 turn with the bar and that is just right. Definitely easier than trying to get the final 1/4 turn by hand.

 

[Dreuxgrad]

Nice solution Mike, as I enter the four score zone.

 

[pop-pop]

This mod is working well for me and I make the last 1/4 tightening turn using the brass lever. I did redrill the handle holes to 17/64" to enable the brass to slide in easier.

 

[buckaroo]

More power to you, literally.