Carrying out locksmith or carpentry work in places not equipped for this is inevitably associated with the problem of fixing workpieces. It is very difficult to prevent them from moving around the table or workbench during processing, unless they are equipped with special clamps, vices or other fixing devices. One of these devices, simple, affordable and versatile, are clamps. We will tell you what they are and how they are used, as well as give detailed instructions for making reliable clamps with your own hands.
What is the tool for, its device and types of tool
Clamp refers to additional carpentry and metalwork tools. The main purpose of the clamps is to fix the workpiece on the support surface or several workpieces for gluing them together, therefore, the design of the tool must include at least two elements: the support surface and a movable jaw equipped with a locking mechanism. The movement of the movable jaw is carried out, as a rule, with the help of a screw or a lever, which makes it possible to increase compression and prevent reverse movement during operation. Depending on the specialization and design features, the following types of clamps are distinguished:
- Screw G-shaped - the most common, they are distinguished by their simplicity of design and relatively low cost. Represented by a metal bracket, on one side of which there is a supporting surface, and on the other, a threaded eye with an adjusting screw screwed into it. The inner part of the screw is equipped with a working sponge, the outer part is equipped with a handle. The tool is effective when working with heavy, large workpieces of a simple shape.
Clamps of this type are suitable for working with large workpieces.
- F-shaped - more versatile, their supporting surface is fixedly fixed on a long rod, along which the working block with a sponge slides. Movement and fixation of the block is provided by an auxiliary screw or a step-by-step pressing mechanism.
Objects are fixed due to the auxiliary screw and step mechanism
- Pipe - allow you to fix large-sized workpieces by varying the length of the pipe. They consist of two separate elements - a base plate with a screw clamp and a sponge sliding along the pipe.
Clamp suitable for working with overall workpieces
- Corner - designed to simplify the joining of workpieces at a right angle, for which they have two supporting and working surfaces. They are divided into two subspecies. The first involves the presence of two clamping screws located perpendicular to each other; the second is equipped with one screw with a double-sided angle block at the end. Very rarely there are specialized clamps that allow you to place workpieces at an acute or obtuse angle.
Clamps of this type simplify the docking of workpieces at right angles.
Angle clamp with double-sided angle block
- Tape - equipped with a flexible element and several sponges floating on it. By fixing the jaws in certain places of the tape and adjusting its tension, it is possible to process workpieces of complex shape.
The tape clamp is equipped with a tape element that allows you to fix the workpiece around the perimeter
- Pincer - consist of two hinged parts and a spacer spring. In practice, they are rarely used due to the relatively low reliability of the joint, however, they provide the maximum speed of installation and removal of the workpiece.
Such a clamp is rarely used due to the low reliability of the joint.
At home, clamps of the first three types are most often made, since they are not too demanding on materials and production technologies, and also allow you to solve most household tasks that require the use of auxiliary tools.
You will find more information about the types of clamps in our next material:
How to make a carpentry clamp with your own hands: step by step instructions with drawings
To make clamps at home, it is enough to have basic plumbing and carpentry skills. The materials used are wooden beams, rolled metal, pipes and fasteners, in particular, bolts, studs, nuts, pins. For joining the metal parts of the clamps, it is desirable to have an electric welding machine. When performing any work, the main thing is to follow the instructions and observe safety precautions.
Making a screw type tool
This type of clamp will help to fix wood workpieces well.
A clamp made according to this technique is perfect for fixing small wooden blanks - plywood, fiberboard, OSB and chipboard sheets, as well as boards and thin timber. We suggest that you choose the scale yourself, but otherwise it is better not to deviate from the following sequence of actions:
- Transfer the templates of all wooden parts to thick paper or cardboard in accordance with the selected scale.
- Using the template, transfer the image to a suitable board width. It is better to use not pine boards, but harder wood.
- Using a jigsaw, cut out all the details. Correct the shape with a file, and sand the surface with sandpaper.
- In the "jaws" mark and drill holes for the axle bolt. Lengthen the hole of the upper “jaw” with a round file so that its length is 1.5–2.5 of the bolt diameter.
- In the handle, drill a hole for the nut, with a diameter corresponding to the number of the wrench. With a needle file, give it a hexagonal shape. Install the nut inward with epoxy or cyanoacrylate.
- Assemble the clamp - fix the axial bolt in the lower “jaw” with glue, install the rear loop on the screws, put on the upper jaw and, placing the washer, install the handle. Stick soft pads on work surfaces.
An even simpler option is to make a screw clamp from a hacksaw.
A simple version of a hacksaw clamp
In this case, it is enough to weld a support platform at one end of its arc, and a nut at the other, into which an adjusting screw with a sponge and a handle will be installed.
Homemade quick clamp made of wood
Making such a clamp will take more time
The use of F-shaped clamps significantly speeds up the workflow. But the manufacture of the clamp itself is somewhat more complicated than the creation of its screw counterpart. You will need to do the following:
- Transfer the images to the lumber as described above. Accurately observe the specified dimensions of the parts and the location of the pin holes.
- Cut out the details with a jigsaw, use it to make a narrow slot in the movable sponge and deep slots for the axle plate. Using chisels, select the groove for the cam lever.
- Drill holes for the pins. Treat all external and internal surfaces of the parts with a file, and then with sandpaper.
- From a metal strip with a grinder, cut the axial plate, grind it. Drill holes for the pins.
- Assemble the tool by placing the jaws on the plate using the pins. Insert the cam into the movable jaw. Stick on work pads.
- Check the function of the quick release clamp. If necessary, change the shape of the working part of the cam lever.
Rough fixation of the lower jaw on the axle plate can be done by wedging its guide pins, inserting an additional pin, screw clamp, or in another way.
Video: making a quick clamp
Metal pipe
For the manufacture of such a clamp, a metal pipe is required.
For such a tool, you will need three metal rings, the inner diameter of which corresponds to the outer diameter of the pipe you have, instead of which, by the way, you can use a metal rod. In the presence of a welding machine, the process of manufacturing a clamp is reduced to the following algorithm:
- Weld support pads to two rings, which can be made from a steel corner; install a nut on the third ring, and weld the ring itself to the end of the pipe.
- Weld an impromptu handle made of a metal rod to the head of a long bolt, screw the bolt into a ring with a nut.
- From the free end of the pipe, put the ring of the upper movable sponge on it. In the ring of the lower jaw, make holes for the fixing pins.
- Install the lower ring on the pipe.
The pipe clamp is optimally suited for holding furniture elements during its assembly, it will be convenient in construction and installation work and other similar operations.
Video: homemade pipe clamp
corner
For the manufacture of this type of clamp, you can use wood, metal or duralumin. Between themselves, they differ not only in material, but also in clamping force and the size of the fixed workpiece. Our following material provides detailed instructions for making tools:
Both in everyday life and in professional activities related to the processing of wood and metal, clamps will become an indispensable assistant. By following the instructions and having a simple set of materials, you can make this tool with your own hands.
Wooden clamp, drawing, assembly diagram of a product that is used to clamp parts before further processing.
The product includes the following elements:
fixed stop
movable stop
guide rail
clamping screw handle
STOPPERS
The stops are made of four wooden planks or moisture-resistant plywood, which are glued together.
1.
The rear wall of the through hole - 12 x 10 x 50 (mm).
2.
The front wall of the through hole - 12 x 50 x 100 (mm).
3.
The left side wall of the through hole - 4 x 50 x 150 (mm).
4.
The right side wall of the through hole - 4 x 50 x 150 (mm).
5.
Wooden dowel - 4 x 20 (mm).
Before gluing the parts, we put the guide rail inside the wooden planks, crimp the rail on all sides with the planks, fix the planks and carefully remove the rail.
After the glue dries, we drill through holes in the resulting workpiece and insert wooden dowels into them, having previously treated the surfaces with glue.
According to the drawing, as shown in the figure, cut out the outline of the stop.
We drill holes in the fixed stop:
Under rail mounting
for M12 thread.
We cut the thread M12.
Smooth out the sharp edges of the part.
GUIDE RAIL
As a latch of the movable stop, you can use a regular metal pin, which is inserted into the end hole in the upper part with glue.
CLAMP SCREW-HANDLE
Consists of six parts:
1.
Clamp.
2.
Screw.
3.
Pen.
4.
Screw M5 with a cylindrical head and a hexagonal recess.
5.
Spring washer 5.
6.
Enlarged washer A.5
The screw and clamp will be made of metal with anti-corrosion coating.
Before assembly, apply a thin layer of lubricant to the rubbing parts.
We will connect the handle and the screw with glue.
The figure shows the option of fastening the part to with a wooden clamp.
The compressible part is located between the movable and fixed stops. With a movable stop, we press the part against the workbench table, then by rotating the handle we press it, creating the necessary force that can keep the part from moving during its processing.
Before assembling the structure, the wooden parts must be treated with fine sandpaper, soak the treated surface with an antiseptic, then apply a decorative paintwork.
For a stronger clamping of workpieces, you must use.
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Every craftsman who deals with products and parts made of metal or wood cannot do without homemade clamps. Previously, such a tool was produced in various modifications, from specialized to universal. The main task is to fix the workpiece for processing and joining operations. We will analyze how a do-it-yourself quick-clamp clamp is made in various variations.
Angle clamp
This type of do-it-yourself metal clamp is designed to fix two objects at a right angle and connect them to each other by any means, however, the main purpose is a jig for welding metal parts at an angle necessary for work. To make it properly you will need the following components:
Corners should be welded at a 90 degree angle to metal or steel plates. We fix the worm structure by welding, and screw the stud-knob into the working nut in order to assemble the stop at the end. The stop must be free to rotate. Then, on the reverse side, it is necessary to drill a hole where we insert a metal rod as a lever. The incredibly simple design and practicality of use have become the key to the popularity of such a clamp among all those who work with metal and products made from it.
Joiner's clamp
Such designs used in carpentry are of the following types:
- Standard clamp, which is the most popular or simple;
- In the form of a caliper for small parts and quick fixation;
- Self-clamping clamp for milling processes and working with workpieces of various heights.
The first type is made from two pine blocks, lock nuts, rods, threaded lamb nuts and thrust washers. The manufacturing process is very simple:
- We cut out working pliers from the bars, drill holes for the studs, taking into account a small backlash;
- We screw the studs and counter them in the appropriate ways;
- We provide convergence with nuts, made either in the form of wing nuts or standard nuts for improved tension.
The second option is used when prompt fixation of small parts is necessary. Production is carried out from small bars and thin-sheet plywood. The worm system is nuts for furniture and studs-collars. One stop is fixed, we fix it at the end of the guide rail, in which we cut out recesses to fix the moving mechanism.
There is both a portable and a stationary version of this design, where grooves are cut for movement with fixed stops fastened. The clamp is a furniture nut, a hairpin and a knob. Due to this, it is possible to work with blanks of any dimensions.
The self-clamping design has a lever with an eccentric at the swivel end. We turn to a certain angle, a quick clamp is automatically obtained. The height is adjustable with a pin on the workbench. It is made individually for each matrix, depending on its purpose and the purpose of the work being carried out.
Pipe clamp
Welding metal pipes end to end is a complex operation. It is considered simpler to weld the pipe to the finished system. The design for such cases is made of a metal corner and steel plates. The halves of such a device should be fixed by the traditional method, namely, threaded studs. As a result, a fairly simple and efficient design can be obtained, which will greatly facilitate the work when welding pipes with various designs.
There are other types of designs, including cams, belts and wire clamps, that can be useful for working with specific designs, including especially fragile and thin ones. However, their production is the subject of separate master classes and articles on specialized resources.
Homemade clamps are indispensable helpers for any craftsman working with metal and wooden parts and products. To make them is quite simple and very exciting. It is important to follow the manufacturing technology, find the best instructions and videos. You can buy clamps, but they may not be suitable in the end due to the specificity of the blanks or work. That is why you should make clamps yourself. Good luck working with various blanks and making homemade quick-clamp clamps!
With this device, you can glue boards made of wood of different sizes. The clamp itself is easy to use and has a fairly simple design. With the right materials, making such a clamp for a home workshop will not be difficult.
For the manufacture of home-made clamps (they are also called clamps), you will need a stud with M10 nuts, a 20 mm steel strip and two rectangular shaped pipes with sides of 40x20 mm, 80 cm long. These materials can be bought inexpensively at a hardware store.
Clamps for gluing shields: stages of work
On profile pipes we make markings and drill through holes every 15 cm, using a conventional or stepped drill for this. We cut the steel strip with a grinder into segments 150 mm long. In these plates, we drill two holes of the desired diameter.
Profile pipes are connected to each other using plates. You will also need stops - movable square and fixed T-shaped, welded from a profile with side dimensions of 20x20 mm. We screw a hairpin of a suitable length into the movable clamp.
Features of using a clamp
It is good because, when gluing wooden shields, it clamps the workpiece on four sides in two planes. Thus, the gluing is of very high quality. By rearranging the T-shaped fixed stop, you can adjust the length. See the video on our website for the assembly process of the clamp for gluing wooden shields.
Each carpenter uses clamps during work, securely fixing the workpieces with their help. You can make such a device yourself, and there are several options for execution.
Clamps are simple, universal and specialized. Not so long ago, a new type of product appeared - quick-clamping. Such an element can compress up to 450 kg. It will be useful to study the instructions for creating do-it-yourself wood clamps.
corner option
Regardless of the type of clamp, it must firmly clamp the parts for their connection or processing. Corner joinery helps to fasten wood blanks at a certain angle (most often 90 °, but there are others). This is indispensable when assembling furniture and frames.
In order to make such a wooden clamp with your own hands, you will need the following materials:
- two wooden bars 25 mm thick hardwood;
- plywood 12 mm thick or more;
- self-tapping screws, studs;
- jigsaw or hacksaw;
- drill.
A square board with a side of 25 or 30 cm is cut out of plywood. Two bars are fixed on it at an angle of 90 °.
Important! The angle must be measured with high accuracy, since the correct fixation of the parts depends on it.
First, the bars are glued, then they are countersinked, holes are drilled with a drill and self-tapping screws or other fasteners are screwed in. Perpendiculars are drawn from the center of the bars - screw studs will pass here.
At a distance of 20 mm from the corner bars, persistent bars are fixed, maintaining a gap between them. It should be slightly larger than the width of the parts to be clamped with a homemade clamp. It is better to screw in the studs immediately, before fixing the stops. You will also need to cut out the movable pads that will be connected to the pin (when it is unscrewed, the workpiece will be pressed against the corner bar).
As a screw, it is best to take studs with a rectangular or trapezoidal thread. The thread pitch is 2 turns per cm. It is very good if on the stud on one side there is a pillar of a slightly smaller diameter than the thread. It can be used to fit the handle. On the other hand, a slightly larger diameter rear sight is desirable to fit the bearing.
So, in the simplest clamp, one end will be fixed, and the other will advance through a worm gear.
To release the workpiece, you need to move the bracket to the required distance and turn the knob a few turns. Thus, the element is fixed. After that, you can release the mechanism and the workpiece will be released.
The simplest version of this model is equipped with a rail structure. The guides, which are arranged in parallel, have cut grooves at an equal distance. Fixed stops are fixed with metal rods. They can move exactly along the width of the blanks. At the end of the beams, fixed stops should be installed, which have a worm gear. In the usual way, clamping is done with a stud and a furniture nut.
Self-clamping option
For gluing parts, it is better to choose the simplest clamp model, which has an F-shape. The stores sell various models, which consist not only of wood, but also of metal. The cost of such tools is high. Therefore, many craftsmen prefer to make them with their own hands.
For small operations, a cam-type clamping clamp is perfect. For example, if you need to glue small parts or fix workpieces. Such a model works in the same way as the f-shaped element. The tool includes 2 jaws and guide rails. Sponges: mobile and motionless. For reliable clamping, it is necessary to fix the workpiece well and turn the cam 90 degrees.
You can make such a tool yourself with a minimum set of tools and materials. Before starting, you should draw a drawing of the product. You can use any material for manufacturing, as well as change the standard sizes as you wish.
The tire is made of wood or metal. Small bolts and rivets can be used instead of metal pins. It is recommended to make movable and fixed jaws at the same time, as they mirror each other. Their width and length can be changed to increase the grip of the product.
For gluing boards (shield)
Clamping clamps are needed to fix the plots, which, after the glue has dried, are used for furniture panels. Such products differ from simple ones in their length. In other words, they have a large jaw span. If you buy such material in a store, you will have to pay a decent amount. Therefore, craftsmen prefer to make clamping mechanisms on their own.
Materials and assembly steps
In order to make wood clips, you will need the following items:
- beech or birch bar;
- drill bit;
- pipe 2.5 cm;
- mortise nuts of suitable diameter;
- a nut that has a rounded knob (used for decoration);
- cutter with a diameter of 2.5 cm and a long hairpin.
The basis of the material is a pipe, from which a piece of the required length is cut. Depending on the size of the sponges, it is necessary to saw the bar. The pieces should be from 15 to 20 cm. For the free movement of the timber through the pipe, make a hole with a diameter of 2.5 cm at a distance of 2.5 cm from the edge. Parallel to the hole, cut from the same end. To fix the sponge on the pipe, connect the hole to the end.
For the drive nut, an additional hole must be drilled to the side of the cut. It is necessary to hammer a nut into it and tighten it from the back with a bolt. To fix the sponge, clamp the pipe in the hole. To move the pipe, unscrew the bolt, then move the element and repeat all the steps again.
There are 2 jaws in the lower clamping part, it is slightly larger than the upper one and has an additional nut. In terms of structure, both parts are the same. An additional driving nut is located at the opposite end of the pipe, into which a stud with a wing nut is inserted.
In the second collapsible movable part, there are no clamping parts such as cuts and nuts. The size of such an element is also rather big. In this part, it is necessary to make a recess for the stud device.
Operating principle
The principle of operation of the clamp is very simple. It is necessary to dilute the extremely sponges so that they are at a distance of 3 cm more from each other than the width of the shield to be installed. Next, you need to fix them on the pipe. To do this, clamp the nuts that are located along the edges. The blanks must be put on the tubes and sealed with glue. Then they need to be pulled together with the help of the “lamb” rotation.
With the ability to use a grinder and a welding machine, you can make the same clamp for gluing wood from metal.
To maintain the plane of the plot with tubes, it is recommended to arrange the clamps in a checkerboard pattern. The main advantage of such a tool is the ease of manufacture and operation.
Special clamp designs
Having mastered the skills of making clamps of a simple form, you can improve them and make devices for connecting complex parts.
There are homemade clamps made from a wooden hanger, which is sawn into pieces. They combine wood and steel, make more comfortable handles that allow you to quickly tighten the screw. This is especially important if you need to frequently change position or use several clamps at the same time. In the case of complex blanks, you can first cut them out of paper, and then transfer them to plywood.
Although welded metal products are more reliable, wooden structures are also used not only for carpentry, but also for turning and carpentry. You do not need to have special skills to create a clamp. You can make such a product from wood in unlimited quantities with your own hands. It will only take a certain amount of time for the manufacturing process.