Make These Clamps And Save Hundreds of Dollars Woodworking

Creating your own woodworking clamps can be a cost-effective way to save money while adding useful tools to your workshop. Here are a few types of clamps you can make yourself, along with instructions on how to build them:

1. Pipe Clamps
Materials:
Steel pipes (length of your choice)
Pipe clamp fixtures (available at hardware stores)
Rubber pads or scraps of leather (to protect workpieces)
Epoxy or strong adhesive (optional)
Tools:
Pipe cutter (if cutting pipes to length)
Wrench
Instructions:
Cut the Pipes: Cut steel pipes to the desired lengths if they aren't pre-cut.
Attach Clamp Fixtures: Screw the pipe clamp fixtures onto the ends of the pipes. These fixtures typically include a fixed jaw and a movable jaw.
Add Protective Pads: Attach rubber pads or scraps of leather to the clamp jaws using epoxy or adhesive to protect your workpieces from damage.
Test the Clamps: Test the clamps to ensure they tighten and loosen smoothly.
2. Bar Clamps
Materials:
Hardwood strips (e.g., oak or maple)
Threaded rods
Nuts and washers
Wood glue
Rubber pads or scraps of leather
Tools:
Saw (for cutting wood strips)
Drill and drill bits
Wrench
Clamps (for glue-up)
Instructions:
Cut the Hardwood Strips: Cut hardwood strips to the desired lengths for the bar clamps.
Drill Holes for Threaded Rods: Drill holes through the strips for the threaded rods. These holes should be slightly larger than the diameter of the rods.
Glue and Assemble: Glue pairs of strips together to form the bars of the clamps, ensuring the holes for the rods are aligned. Use temporary clamps to hold the pieces together while the glue dries.
Insert Threaded Rods: Insert the threaded rods through the holes and secure them with nuts and washers.
Attach Protective Pads: Attach rubber pads or scraps of leather to the clamp jaws to protect your workpieces.
Test the Clamps: Test the clamps to ensure they work correctly and adjust as needed.
3. Wooden Cam Clamps
Materials:
Hardwood (e.g., maple or birch)
Wooden dowels
Wood glue
Rubber pads or scraps of leather
Tools:
Saw (for cutting wood pieces)
Drill and drill bits
Sandpaper
Clamps (for glue-up)
Instructions:
Cut the Hardwood: Cut the hardwood into pieces for the clamp body and the movable jaw.
Drill Holes for Dowels: Drill holes in the clamp body and movable jaw for the wooden dowels. These dowels will act as the pivot and locking mechanism.
Assemble the Clamps: Glue and insert the dowels into the drilled holes, creating a pivot point for the movable jaw.
Shape the Cam: Cut and shape a piece of hardwood into a cam that will provide the clamping pressure. Attach this cam to the dowel on the movable jaw.
Attach Protective Pads: Attach rubber pads or scraps of leather to the clamp jaws to protect your workpieces.
Test the Clamps: Test the cam action to ensure it applies pressure effectively and adjust as needed.
Tips for Making Clamps:
Choose Quality Materials: Use strong, durable hardwoods and high-quality hardware to ensure the longevity of your clamps.
Precision: Measure and cut materials accurately to ensure the clamps work smoothly and hold securely.
Safety: Always wear appropriate safety gear and follow safety guidelines when using tools.
By making your own clamps, you can tailor them to your specific needs and save money that can be invested in other tools or materials for your woodworking projects.