WEDGE CLAMPS

No matter how many clamps you have there will be times when there just aren't enough or none of them are suitable for the job at hand. Wedge clamps are a simple and easy way to get around this problem.

TABLE TOP CLAMP JIG

This is an easy clamping system to glue up a table top or panel, simply attach 1 X 3 cleats to the ends a 2 X 4 with a couple screws. Make up 8 wedges to lock material in place.

To keep wood from buckling clamp a strip of wood across top of material.

Alternate grain direction to prevent panel from warping.

C - CLAMP

You can make a C- clamp by cutting a notch out of a rectangular piece of plywood, use wedges to lock material in place.

BAR CLAMP

As an alternative to the table top clamp above use two strips of wood with holes drilled in each end, slip bolts through the holes and use two shims in each end.

EXTENSION FOR CLAMPS

If you don't have long enough bar clamps you can make an extension using two lengths of 1 X 2's with blocks fastened to the top of one end and bottom of the other end, simply use a shorter clamp across the two top blocks.

clamp
                                  extender

MITER CLAMP

A simple clamp can be made for gluing up picture frames or other miter joints. Fasten a square to one corner of a base and add two strips to the opposite outer edges of the base, cut four wedges to lock the stock in place.

SHIM CUTTING JIG

Make the jig out of 3/4" plywood, the length can be any convient size to accommodate scrap material on hand, to use it lodge material into angled notch, set fence on table saw to cut width of shim, this can be from sharp pointed to wider with blunt end. After each cut flip material over end for end to keep the material parallel.

CAM VISE

The above sketch from an old Popular Mechanics book shows an easily made, quick working vise, the screw is replaced by an open bar held at one end by a wedge-shaped block. The vise is tightened by an eccentric lever. The wedge is worked by a string passed through the top of the bench and the bottom is weighted to facilitate downward movement.

More Clamps on
Sawdust Making 101