The clamp thread!

[tjclem]

The standard wood clamps have worked fine for me for gluing on tops and neck laminations....t

 

[Son of Magni]

I'm planning on using the clamps on the original post to build something similar to this, but with a wooden/threaded rod frame:

On a smaller scale, of course.

I see you've been sneaking around at the Alembic shop

 

[Rodent]

Rodent, who makes those deep pipe clamps?

I have found two sources to date:

Grizzly has them in white for $17.95 - http://www.grizzly.com/products/h2542

Woodcraft has them in green for $19.99 - http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5127

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outside of the color difference, both offerings appear to be identical and from the same supplier in China. both come with rubber feet.

I also obtained a pair of 24" long black iron pipes from Home Depot for $3 ea. When I start working furniture I'll spring for longer pipes.

all the best,

R

 

[wilser]

I found these guys and they will make custom bar clamps with 4" x 2" x 5/16" thick steel plates welded on the pressure faces. They are reasonably priced for custom clamps and I think I'll go with those.

 

[stedtale]

My father-in-law is a machinist and makes all kinds of things. I can send you his info, but I bet the place you found would be cheaper since they make lots of custom clamps.

 

[Greenman]

I found these guys and they will make custom bar clamps with 4" x 2" x 5/16" thick steel plates welded on the pressure faces. They are reasonably priced for custom clamps and I think I'll go with those.

Those are much more stable with that extra dowel guide next to the threaded section. good choice.

 

[erikbojerik]

Wil, I still can't get my head around what what it is you want to do...I know you want to lay up lam necks, but are you working with wide stock or something?

Like (for example) a 3-piece neck with two 6" wide 8/4s glued to a 4/4 center, then cut out a bunch of neck blanks from it?

I've got a pair of those bench-mounted Grizzly presses for tops...works well to motivate the kids to do their homework too!

 

[wilser]

Wil, I still can't get my head around what what it is you want to do...I know you want to lay up lam necks, but are you working with wide stock or something?

Like (for example) a 3-piece neck with two 6" wide 8/4s glued to a 4/4 center, then cut out a bunch of neck blanks from it?

I've got a pair of those bench-mounted Grizzly presses for tops...works well to motivate the kids to do their homework too!

Yes, I guess I shouldn't assume everybody reads the other threads and explain in more detail, but what I currently do, but want to do better, is exactly what you described on the second paragraph.

The purpose of this is to: a) get more necks out of a single glue up process (I can get 4-5 necks out of 6" wide stock) and eliminate having to cut out and glue a scarf joint, since the neck angle is cut at the same time. Plus I use stock long enough to get both neckthroughs and bolton/setnecks.

 

[Bryan316]

Okay Wilser... imagine if you can...



Tubular steel frame with feet, two masts coming upright.

A 4-1/2 foot square tube steel jaw welded to the masts. Say, a 2"x5" or maybe a 3"x8", 1/4" wall tubing so it's sturdy as hell. That thick might actually be overkill, but SCREW IT.

Up the mast, we make the top jaw mount. Symmetrical to the bottom jaw.

We build an adjustable jaw that threads through the top jaw mount, with handwheels instead of those wingnut-looking handles. Two hands worth of torque is far better. We use 10" handwheels for all our bulk hopper doors. STURDY.

5/8" Acme threaded rod. Incredibly strong. Will almost crush the wood if you get 4-6 of these pressing down. We'll put as many as we can fit into 4-1/2 feet.

It's time to get ready for tonight's gig, so send me a private message Monday to remind me to start drawing this idea up. It's quite simple to draw up, but I'll do it in 3D so it makes complete sense to you.

 

[Skelf]

The above press would do the job but why not use bottle jacks instead of threaded rods and handles. Make the top fixed the same as the bottom and put a movable plate below the jacks. They are cheap and easy to use and depending on the size exert huge pressure. I use a press for the body laminations which uses an 8 tonne jack works very well.

 

[wilser]

Okay Wilser... imagine if you can...



Tubular steel frame with feet, two masts coming upright.

A 4-1/2 foot square tube steel jaw welded to the masts. Say, a 2"x5" or maybe a 3"x8", 1/4" wall tubing so it's sturdy as hell. That thick might actually be overkill, but SCREW IT.

Up the mast, we make the top jaw mount. Symmetrical to the bottom jaw.

We build an adjustable jaw that threads through the top jaw mount, with handwheels instead of those wingnut-looking handles. Two hands worth of torque is far better. We use 10" handwheels for all our bulk hopper doors. STURDY.

5/8" Acme threaded rod. Incredibly strong. Will almost crush the wood if you get 4-6 of these pressing down. We'll put as many as we can fit into 4-1/2 feet.

It's time to get ready for tonight's gig, so send me a private message Monday to remind me to start drawing this idea up. It's quite simple to draw up, but I'll do it in 3D so it makes complete sense to you.

totally get it. I'll have to find a fabrication shop in the area to get a quote for something like that and see if it's worth even considering.

Alan's idea is also cool! At about $20 per jack may even be worth considering if I can get the frame built for cheap. A combination of Alan's and Bryan's designs, if you will.

Thanks guys! you all rock!

 

[wilser]

check it out, but imagine it 5 times longer:

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[JSPguitars]

Wow, ya'll are taking it to the next level. I didn't see that behemoth when I took the tour of the Alembic factory, kinda looks like a guillotine