Rockler (and Woodcraft as well as other sources) now sell the Damson panel clamps. They work well and are much cheaper than the Woodpecker version (which might a little easier to use than the Damstom). I have used the Damstom clamps for several years with great success; only up to 38" though.
Clampzilla Woodpeckers OTT
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Don't know what people find to be a problem with the Damstom clamps, but they work great for me. I wouldn't even consider spending the money on the Woodpecker panel clamps. They just wouldn't buy me much of anything I don't already have with the Damstom clamps.
I have three of the Damstons and they are good but they do not apply any downward pressure to keep the boards lined up as I apply clamping pressure. When I need help from the clamps to keep the boards lined up I have to add clamps in the front and the back of the piece to squeeze the damston bars They are also limited to 38”. The Clampzilla’s do provide downward pressure across the panel which, for me is the big difference. Additionally now that WP has offered the 50” option that really helps their case for me. For those reasons I think that I am going to order a couple with the longer bars. At a million dollars a piece I don’t see stocking up but having a couple to salt in with my damston’s and my K Bodies does seem worthwhile to me.
This concept has been around for many years!! While its simple.. works great.https://advanced-machinery.myshopify.com/products/plano-vertical-glue-press?variant=27784568390
Unless you have significant use, the Domino and lowly bar clamps prevail.
Unless you have significant use, the Domino and lowly bar clamps prevail.
ben_r_
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Bumping this thread because Im curious. Did anyone order these and try them? How do they work? Many of the complaints with similar style panel clamps such as these is that the pinching pressure that flattens all the boards together isnt enough or that great. I was wondering if the same issue plagued the Woodpeckers design.
mattbyington
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I ordered 3 and they came today.
They’re a little cumbersome to setup and use. But that’s just from unpacking and playing with them for 15m.
Ill let you guys know more on the weekend. But In hindsight.... I agree with whom ever posted above. Proper edges and flat boards. Just use parallel clamps. I’ll try them this weekend though.
Matt
They’re a little cumbersome to setup and use. But that’s just from unpacking and playing with them for 15m.
Ill let you guys know more on the weekend. But In hindsight.... I agree with whom ever posted above. Proper edges and flat boards. Just use parallel clamps. I’ll try them this weekend though.
Matt
mattbyington
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[member=67413]box185[/member] probably! My biggest downfall when gluing panels up is I overestimate how much clamping force is actually needed.
On properly jointed panels, you really don't need that much force when gluing. I always think you need more than you do and so end up bending the panels because the clamping force is disproportionally on one side (I usually just lay the boards on my workbench and put parallel clamps on top)
Matt
On properly jointed panels, you really don't need that much force when gluing. I always think you need more than you do and so end up bending the panels because the clamping force is disproportionally on one side (I usually just lay the boards on my workbench and put parallel clamps on top)
Matt
mattbyington
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Okay, I officially don’t like them. They’re very hard to handle and get wood into and parallel clamps work just fine.
I don’t think I would recommend them.
Matt
I don’t think I would recommend them.
Matt
Michael Kellough
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The Woodpecker implementation of this kind of (very old) clamping scheme is too restrictive. It should be changed so that the long bars are not connected to the screw (or the opposite end) until all the boards are loaded. The old diy version (supply your own notched wooden bars) is fairly easy to use.
Carlo Petrilli
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I agree with Matt on this one. I got suckered into buying them as well and they are a pain to setup and use. I thought I'd prefer these over my parallel clamps and using cauls and I was wrong. My biggest issues:
1. Setup for larger thicknesses requires a spacer block. My fault for not fully understanding the instructions but a pain nonetheless to try to setup.
2. Setup for a certain width of glue up takes too much time to dial them in.
3. Handling them can be precarious, watch your fingers!! Its like handling a wet noodle....
4. Storing them requires a band around them to keep them from shifting and pinching your fingers.
Bottom-line: these are overrated.
1. Setup for larger thicknesses requires a spacer block. My fault for not fully understanding the instructions but a pain nonetheless to try to setup.
2. Setup for a certain width of glue up takes too much time to dial them in.
3. Handling them can be precarious, watch your fingers!! Its like handling a wet noodle....
4. Storing them requires a band around them to keep them from shifting and pinching your fingers.
Bottom-line: these are overrated.
I didn't understand the fascination either, particularly given the vertical alternatives available. The US-made version being these. If someone is going to take up a whole bunch of horizontal space they might as well invest in parallel clamps since they can perform other duties beyond panel glue-ups. Otherwise, the vertical versions above at least make an efficient use of space. Bummed that folks are in the position they are with the WP version.
mattbyington
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Yep, you guys have hit the nail on the head.
My biggest issue is how hard it is to setup. Getting the boards in there is really hard.
You know - you live and you learn. They also could have been fantastic. Sometimes you never know. And whomever bought it along with me, we knew the risk. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't.
But - in general - don't recommend them.
Matt
My biggest issue is how hard it is to setup. Getting the boards in there is really hard.
You know - you live and you learn. They also could have been fantastic. Sometimes you never know. And whomever bought it along with me, we knew the risk. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't.
But - in general - don't recommend them.
Matt
ben_r_
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Or even better, since the cost of clamping rail setups like this is over half the cost already, just picking up a Festool Domino DF500 to keep panel glue-ups aligned and get to use it for a ton of other tasks! Heck even a cheap doweling jig would work too!TinyShop said:
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