what clamps to get?

[thetyreman]

I am working on a bookcase at the moment and suddenly reaslised I need longer clamps, lol should have thought about that before making it,

do you think it is worth making my own? I have been looking at pipe clamp heads and thinking of getting some threaded pipe,

and also found these:

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+woodworkin ... delivery=y

and these:

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+woodworkin ... dk135pack6

I'm trying to keep the cost as low as possible, the bookcase I am building needs at least 45" space in-between the clamp heads, ideally a bit more,

would appreciate some advice,

cheers,

Tyreman.

 

[transatlantic]

You might be able to extend the ones you have?

 

[Hot stuff]

That's a good price for both types. I just bought some of the aluminium ones off amazon last week because I had a gift voucher to use up and I was £55 for 4 delivered.
I've got about a dozen of them now and I just slide a bit of cls or similar into the channel to stiffen them up, works a treat and they're a lot easier to handle being a bit lighter.

 

[Hot stuff]

That's a good idea transatlantic. I'll have to remember that one next time I'm stuck for some longer ones.

 

[Steve Maskery]

It depends on how much pressure you need to apply. I made a load of Luthier clamps, which where excellent until they spent two years in a barn They are great when you need lots of clamps but not massive pressure. Just remember that they rely on the stiffness of the bar, so the longer the bar, the wider it needs to be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjKglYx2XTE&t=4s

 

[Solicitus]

I have a couple of sets of these that I bought many years ago when building garage doors. Don't use them that often, but when you need a long clamp you simply attach the appropriate length of timber and Roberts your mothers brother.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-record- ... heads/1945

Robert

 

[Kieran62]

I'd avoid the ones with the green and orange heads.
I got some a few years ago and the first time I used them the plastic heads broke off the metal casting; no problem I thought, I'll just glue some plywood on like Paul Sellers.
Unfortunately, the cast heads are very thin, and it is almost impossible to glue or stick anything on them.
Consequently, I have to do running repairs with tape each time I use them.
HTH
Kieran

 

[John15]

At a tenner each the price is OK. I've got a few of each type but a bit shorter. I find the blue headed ones can bind but the green/orange ones are fine.

John

 

[thetyreman]

thanks guys for the help, I have just ordered 6 of the steel 60" sash clamps from rutlands, there are some great suggestions here.

 

[DTR]

You might be able to extend the ones you have?

:shock: Genius!

 

[steve66]

I've got the Rutland clamps I think they're good for the price. Nice strong wire holds the pin to clamp head. Only use cheaper aluminium clamps for gluing frames onto carcase where you don't need strong pressure.