Small clamps?

[Mike Davis]

I bought a dozen small spring clamps for a new project. I can breath harder than they hold.
I need to make 50 small light weight strong clamps quick and cheap.

that’s right, quick, cheap, good. The three opposing forces.

do you think this will work? This is as close as you will ever see me to drawing a plan.

 

[Mike Davis]

I’m gluing long thin strips together in a roughly oval sort of shape if that helps.
the pressure needs to be even across 3/4 inch and the thickness capacity needs to adjust from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch or so.

 

[creasman]

Not sure if these would work for what you're doing, but I needed a bunch of clamps when making dulcimers. These are made from 1/2" slices of PVC pipe. I first cut a slit down the entire length before cutting off the sections. Worked great.

 

[Rob in NC]

Not sure if these would work for what you're doing, but I needed a bunch of clamps when making dulcimers. These are made from 1/2" slices of PVC pipe. If first cut a slit down the entire length before cutting off the sections. Worked great.

View attachment 215421

Brilliant... If I ever have a need for such, I hope my brain will allow me to remember this post!

 

[Mike Davis]

I think I need more pressure that that, but it is a brilliant idea.
my parts actually twist and deform a bit so light clamping won’t hold.

 

[creasman]

Ok, is it something you could clamp around an oval form? Below is an example of a small clamp I made to glue stringing around an oval fan for inlay. You probably need something much larger, but the basic idea might work. You could use pipe or F clamps to squeeze the cauls.

 

[Mike Davis]

I have made and used lots of forms, I may have to do that but I was trying to make it free form. I have laminated free form shapes before but not this particular shape.
It’s really like an infinity ♾ symbol.
I think I can knock out 50 clamps in a day then get on with my project.

 

[bob vaughan]

Consider a carriage bolt coming up through the bottom instead of the T-nut. Carriage bolts usually have threads all the the way down. Use a regular nut with a small washer and drive the nuts down with a hollow shank hand held nut driver. The down side is chiseling out a square for the carriage bolt square base.

T-nuts can split small narrow pieces of wood with their four prongs.

If the t-nuts work in a prototype, then you're good. Thumb screws can get expensive. Regular bolts, if their thread length is long enough, will work also and can be power driven with the driver set at a light setting or by a nut driver.

 

[Craptastic]

May have to do a hybrid of what you can clamp heavily and securely and Jim's idea if you are doing something long.

 

[chris_goris]

https://www.amazon.com/Online-Best-Service-Spring-wholesale/dp/B012U83T84/ref=sr_1_23?crid=169YMIQL8TLGV&keywords=locking%2Bspring%2Bclamp&qid=1671016922&sprefix=locking%2Bspring%2Bclamp%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-23&th=1

or maybe these:

https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-Spring-Heavy-Duty-Non-Marking-Handles/dp/B088F78J1L/ref=sr_1_37?crid=169YMIQL8TLGV&keywords=locking+spring+clamp&qid=1671017022&sprefix=locking+spring+clamp%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-37

 

[smallboat]

I think I need more pressure that that, but it is a brilliant idea.
my parts actually twist and deform a bit so light clamping won’t hold.

making them wider or from larger diameter pipe should give more force. I’ve used these and they are effective. The larger variety I drill 2 holes for dowels that insert through the closed side and meet at the open side (think chop sticks). use the dowels to lever the clamp open. once the clamp is in place you can move the dowels to the next clamp.

 

[Mike Davis]

https://www.amazon.com/Online-Best-Service-Spring-wholesale/dp/B012U83T84/ref=sr_1_23?crid=169YMIQL8TLGV&keywords=locking%2Bspring%2Bclamp&qid=1671016922&sprefix=locking%2Bspring%2Bclamp%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-23&th=1

or maybe these:

https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-Spring-Heavy-Duty-Non-Marking-Handles/dp/B088F78J1L/ref=sr_1_37?crid=169YMIQL8TLGV&keywords=locking+spring+clamp&qid=1671017022&sprefix=locking+spring+clamp%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-37

Yeah, that’s what I bought, not enough pressure.

 

[chris_goris]

Yeah, that’s what I bought, not enough pressure.

the first, or second? I think the second ones are more heavy duty

 

[Mike Davis]

the first, or second? I think the second ones are more heavy duty

It was a different one but the strongest 2 inch spring clamp on Amazon. Total waste of money.

 

[chris_goris]

Maybe something like this then

 

[ptt49er]

Would you get more clamping force by swapping the clamp screw w/ the stabilizer screw? I'm assuming your pivot is the end of the square stock.

 

[McRabbet]

How about large binder clips like these for $16 for 72 units.

 

[Mike Davis]

Thanks Rob. I just checked the pressure of some binder clips and I think that will work.
Should have some tomorrow.

 

[zapdafish]

8 bucks at harbor freight, with coupon might be cheaper

 

[Mike Davis]

8 bucks at harbor freight, with coupon might be cheaper

View attachment 215429

50 of those would be $400.00