Thanks for the replies folks.
Yes, it it the Woodcraft type things that I'm after.
I don't think threaded rod or wood would be suited to the task in hand (though more than happy to be convinced otherwise).
I intend to make veneer press type gantries (the fixture will need 1 fixed vertical and two which can tilt freely from a fixed pivot) to bend sawn veneer (2mm-ish, depending on species) across the grain over a sleeping policeman shaped mold using silicon heat blankets. The gantries need to span about 28 inches to work for the full range of instrument sizes
This is the same operation as a fox-style bender used for guitar sides, except this is for mandolin family backs. Given the increased risk of splitting bending in this direction, the presses do need to be pretty slick. The cramp pressure required isn't great, but I do want fairly easy operation, since I'll need to evenly tighten them two at a time. (I figure I'll need two per gantry with a caul 7" high to give an even pressure over the full 'width' (in quotes because it is the length of the instrument back that they'll be spanning)
I do use threaded rod for homespun spindle clamps and other jigs, and it just doesn't feel smooth/quick enough for this.
Similarly with wood, since I need to operate two in synchrony.
Cheers
Steve
Cheers
Steve[/img]