Bowclamps, Bob and I go visiting

P

Per Swenson

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I posted this on SMC, but for those who don't go there...

Craig Feuerzeig designed and patented the Bowclamp.

His shop is close to us in East Orange NJ and he has a

shop bot which is on the Swenson's to buy list.

Soon.

I never thought I needed a Bowclamp.

I have more bowed wood culled on the side of the shop then most.

Ignorant me.

This simple caul is just, I dunno, I need the right word.

Perfect. Yep, Perfect.

Two things went through my head after a couple of seconds.

Why didn't I think of this, and I will take 50 of them.

Not to mention Craig is just one of the finest human beings

we have met.  And I ain't blowin smoke.

Here are some shots of the visit... Oh yeah

Reach Craig at  www.bowclamp.com

Per
 
Hmmm, been thinking about picking some of these up myself, you may have put me over the edge Per, I thank you, my bank account does not... :)
 
Per,

In the last photo, it shows the bow clamp being tight to the face frame in the middle but not the ends. There is quite a gap. Can the clamps pull the end of the bow clamps down to apply pressure or are they even suppose to?
 
Hi Per

      Thanks for posting those pic's of the bow clamp, looks like an ingenious idea.Dan
 
Les,

you bet they clamp flat.

And thats the beauty of it ,

two clamps takes the place of many.

Nah, the picture is not descriptive enough.

Sorry.

Per

 
Per

        I meant to ask are there specific clamps you need to use, I'm guessing some clamps work with bowclamp better than others.Mabe a festool clamp? I guess I'm asking for a  clamp recommendation, to best utilize the bowclamp.Thanking you in advance, dan
 
Dan

They are Ideal to use with the bessey tradesman style barclamps.

A style copied I might add by everybody.

There is a groove routed in to the back to accept them.

Continuous T slot. So you could even use a Band clamp.

Besides that any old clamp will work. OK 2 clamps.

Per
 
Matthew,

Short answer....nope.

Cut and paste of review by North Carolina Woodworker.


My overall impression of the Bowclamp caul system is that they are well designed, do what they are designed to do, and worth the money. A full set of 3 pairs of cauls 24”, 36” & 48” runs about $130. If you bought the wood to make them, about 6 BF of 8/4 hard Maple, you would spend around $36. Then factor in 3-4 hours milling, squaring, dimensioning, routing, cutting sanding and finishing, and you would come out better buying them. If you value your time like I do. I much rather be making something fun than some high tech bowed sticks.
And the savings goes even farther because instead of having a arsenal of expensive parallel jaw clamps you can use many less and cheaper F-style clamps. That is something that I found to be quite advantageous as I have many of the cheaper F-style clamps that I don't use very often due to their tendency to not stay parallel and to mar the work piece with their small area of surface contact.
My biggest complaint is that I don't have 2 sets of any of the sizes to be able to utilize them to help keep a panel glue up flat, something which I think that they would also excel in doing.

The whole review here. http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7110

Sorry I am lazy, tired and waterlogged this morning.

Per
 
Per,
You're probably right about the investment in time, and the preference of working on fun and creative projects rather than bowclamps!!
I think I need to see these things at a woodworking show!
Thanks,
Matthew
 
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