Tip #11
Everything You Need To Know About Clamping
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version of Tip - Pg 1-3, Pg. 4-6, Pg. 7-9

Some additional ideas for handy clamps you can make from household items or “stuff” you may have available in the shop

Chances are, you have loads of other handy clamping devices around the house that will help you tackle all types of holding jobs -- often without spending one red cent. Here are a few examples:

• Spring-type clothespins make excellent clamps for holding miniatures and other small craft-type projects. Some other examples in this category include: Office (paper) binder clips - medical hemostats - even bobby-pins (for extremely small projects).
• Rubber bands can be used to hold both small projects and large. Usually, the larger the bands are, the better. You can always double or triple them around the project for more gripping power. Shipping supply companies often offer huge “pallet bands” that are an inch or so wide and stretch to hold items that are 6-feet or more in circumference.
• Bicycle inner tubes can be cut into strips or left whole to serve as clamping aids.
• Rubber surgical tubing has just the right amount of stretch to hold all types of project components together.
• Your drill press makes an excellent “press-type” clamping device. Just position your project components under the chuck, apply the appropriate amount of pressure with your quill lever and lock it into position while the glue sets-up.
• Your lathe can also provide this type of clamping pressure.
• A 25# bag of lead shot is great for pressing large, odd-shaped project components together while the glue sets-up. You can get this at a gun shop or sporting gods store that sells re-loading supplies. As an alternative (for holding square or flat projects together), try making a plywood “Clamping Box” filled with 10# to 25# of sand or shot and fitted with a convenient lifting handle.
• A bag of sand can be used in the same fashion.
• A piece of clothesline can take the place of a web or band clamp. Just loop the rope around your project, insert a short piece of wood or dowel and tighten everything up like a tourniquet.
• A pair of pliers can be turned into a clamp. Just insert the parts to be clamped between the jaws, then wrap a rubber band around the two handles.
• PVC pipe can be turned into a spring-type clamp by sawing off a piece about 1" to 2" long and cutting a slit through it. Then, spring it apart and slip it over the components to be clamped together. Smaller diameter pipe will exert more pressure, but offer less capacity than pipe that's 3", 4" or 6" in diameter.
• Automotive hose clamps can be used for holding round or oval parts during assembly. For larger parts, connect multiple hose clamps together.
• Duct tape can make an excellent clamping aid. It's strong and if it gets glue on it, just throw it away.
• Ace bandages can also be used to hold odd-shaped projects together during glue-up or trial fitting.

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