Wood working clamps

[tstex]

Thank you for everything guys. You have been very generous w your time, experience and knowledge.

To get started, I am in the process of doing the drawings of 3 different items: an outside coffee table, a small 1/2 round table and a combination open style cabinet/coffee table [inside]. All will be made of cedar. Once I have the designs, I will seek the best way to make the type cuts for joining the wood pieces.

Based on our discussions, I am going to immediately buy:

• 3/4" pipes & 3/4" pipe clamps
• 2-3 sizes of cauls
• 20ft ratchet strap [ I have 4 16' straps now]
• Make 4-6 wood clamps w wedges
• F style-clamps
• Get some used rubber innertubes
• Good water-based wood glue

Again, any add'l info is always welcomed, and if I have left anything off this list that's an essential item, pls let me know? I believe from this point forward, I will buy the things I need as the application arises, but a 2.25HP 1/2" plunge router is in the making...

You guys have been great !!

 

[4570Man]

About the router I don’t like a big heavy duty hand held router. I’d get something little that still has a 1/2” collet for handheld use.

 

[SandburRanch]

I'm proud i got my collection of original Quick Grip clamps 20 years ago being i don''t see those available at present . There isn't much i can't clamp with a collection of 6" to 52" clamps . I'd have maybe 25 if the kids hadn't borrowed some but i'm proud they are doing something constructive . Only 2 required to clamp a pic frame . I probably use those more for other jobs than woodworking .

 

[Egon]

Thank you for everything guys. You have been very generous w your time, experience and knowledge.

To get started, I am in the process of doing the drawings of 3 different items: an outside coffee table, a small 1/2 round table and a combination open style cabinet/coffee table [inside]. All will be made of cedar. Once I have the designs, I will seek the best way to make the type cuts for joining the wood pieces.

Based on our discussions, I am going to immediately buy:

• 3/4" pipes & 3/4" pipe clamps
• 2-3 sizes of cauls
• 20ft ratchet strap [ I have 4 16' straps now]
• Make 4-6 wood clamps w wedges
• F style-clamps
• Get some used rubber innertubes
• Good water-based wood glue

Again, any add'l info is always welcomed, and if I have left anything off this list that's an essential item, pls let me know? I believe from this point forward, I will buy the things I need as the application arises, but a 2.25HP 1/2" plunge router is in the making...

You guys have been great !!

The cauls you will have to make yourself.

 

[tstex]

Oop’s, yes. Cauls should have been w wedges - thx

 

[AnotherBueller]

Have you thought about using a biscuit joiner?

 

[dragoneggs]

I have a bunch of clamps... but not enough. I started out making my own pipe clamps but they are heavy, awkward, and don't sit/stand well whether laying horizontally or vertically. Don't use them anymore. I highly recommend Bessey K clamps or knockoffs if you must. I have a nice collection of various length Bessey's purchased over the years. The way to go IMHO. If you position them well, you can rotate and 'stand' your project in various positions quite easily.

A handful or two of hand screw type wood clamps are handy for flatware clamping and edge bending.

Yes, the Bessey K's are expensive but you can build up your Arsenal over time and you will not regret it especially doing cabinet/bookcase work. Build a rack to display them on your shop wall.

 

[Egon]

3/4 in. pipe clamp with stands and a homemade clamp That stands on it’s own.

 

[meackerman]

I have a bunch of clamps... but not enough. I started out making my own pipe clamps but they are heavy, awkward, and don't sit/stand well whether laying horizontally or vertically. Don't use them anymore. I highly recommend Bessey K clamps or knockoffs if you must. I have a nice collection of various length Bessey's purchased over the years. The way to go IMHO. If you position them well, you can rotate and 'stand' your project in various positions quite easily.

A handful or two of hand screw type wood clamps are handy for flatware clamping and edge bending.

Yes, the Bessey K's are expensive but you can build up your Arsenal over time and you will not regret it especially doing cabinet/bookcase work. Build a rack to display them on your shop wall.

I agree. I used to use pipe clamps, but since I started using K-bodys I don't think I've touched my pipe clamps. But dang kbody's have gotten expensive.

 

[tstex]

Thank you guys, appreciate your follow-up.

Yes, everything has gotten [real] expensive. My ranch drive is 120 miles, so w a truck, every time I go there to woodwork, I could have bought 2 $35 bits...might have to bring all my power tools home, but then I'd have to later fill out TONS of paper work. That would be my divorce papers the wife would immediately hand me....If it wasn't for almost a basketball team of daughters, I would be wagering either all my power tools and myself or wife and no power tools? Anyone have a good set of pens I can use ?

 

[tstex]

Have you thought about using a biscuit joiner?

I'm going to first play around w my router and get the hang of that first. If I get anything else w a table, I might have to expand my work shed area...

 

[meackerman]

Thank you guys, appreciate your follow-up.

Yes, everything has gotten [real] expensive. My ranch drive is 120 miles, so w a truck, every time I go there to woodwork, I could have bought 2 $35 bits...might have to bring all my power tools home, but then I'd have to later fill out TONS of paper work. That would be my divorce papers the wife would immediately hand me....If it wasn't for almost a basketball team of daughters, I would be wagering either all my power tools and myself or wife and no power tools? Anyone have a good set of pens I can use ?

tools show up in my shop...months or years later my wife might see them and ask if that tool is new......nope. I've had that tool for years. Since I've had it for a while, she doesn't get upset.

 

[meackerman]

I don't know that a biscuit jointer would be high on my list of tools to buy first. I have one and I use it every so often, but it doesn't get used nearly as much as other power tools...router, drill, sander, circular saw, jig saw I think I'd buy those before a biscuit jointer.

along with a full-sized plunge router, small trim router is very handy to have.

 

[3Ts]

Depending on what you're doing, another clamp idea is to use the carpet anti-skid waffle pad. It will keep things from sliding. I use it when routing small parts that I can't clamp. When you have some extra money and need to clamp irregular stuff there are vacuum bags.

 

[tstex]

tools show up in my shop...months or years later my wife might see them and ask if that tool is new......nope. I've had that tool for years. Since I've had it for a while, she doesn't get upset.

 

[tstex]

Depending on what you're doing, another clamp idea is to use the carpet anti-skid waffle pad. It will keep things from sliding. I use it when routing small parts that I can't clamp. When you have some extra money and need to clamp irregular stuff there are vacuum bags.

thanks, I get the waffle pad, but how do you use a vacuum pad?

 

[jaxs]

A basic $15 pocket hole cutter is a great investment when counting pennys.

 

[dougtrr2]

When I first started out I was on a budget so my pipe clamps are 1/2". Once in a while I use a coupling. Since my clamps are using black pipe and I use a lot of oak, I NEVER let the oak touch the pipe. When you do black stains from the oak/glue/iron interacting result.

Doug in SW IA

 

[3Ts]

The vacuum bag is a heavy duty vinyl bag that you put what you want to clamp into - the entire project goes in. It handles irregular shapes easily. In the case of a 20 by 46 table top the bag has to be bigger than that. However, these are normally used for veneers where you need pressure on a large area or irregular shape.

 

[dragoneggs]

tools show up in my shop...months or years later my wife might see them and ask if that tool is new......nope. I've had that tool for years. Since I've had it for a while, she doesn't get upset.

The same trick my wife uses on clothes and shoes. Doesn't wear them right away.