Handy clamping trick for those who own a Hammer or Felder

[hdv]

Like some of you I am the owner of a few Felder/Hammer machines. For the table saw I have an eccentric clamp that can be mounted on the slider. It is a great clamp and I have no gripes about it. However, that thing is just too darn heavy to use for simple "one-off" jobs when it is not on the slider already. So I modified a Bessey clamp to use in such cases. I thought maybe others might have use of it as well.

Take a T-track (in this case from Incra) and saw off a short length. Make sure one of the holes is about in the middle of the short piece of T-track. Tap a thread in it (I used M6). Find a set screw in the corresponding size (again M6 in this case). If the end is not flat, make it flat. In my experience it will grip better and not damage the T-track. You will need to file it anyway, because you want the screw to be long enough to reach the clamp and short enough not to protrude from the T-track (see photo's). Put the piece of T-track over the clamp. Tighten it with the set screw. Voila, now you have a quick clamping solution for the slider. Of course this is not the right tool for heavy clamping, but for most smaller jobs it will do.

HTH

A short piece of T-track with a screw hole in it.

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The piece of T-track with the set screw.

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The same piece of track with the filed off side of the set screw visible.

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The assembled contraption.

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The clamp in use.

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[CarrieCarpenterChick]

Like some of you I am the owner of a few Felder/Hammer machines. For the table saw I have an eccentric clamp that can be mounted on the slider. It is a great clamp and I have no gripes about it. However, that thing is just too darn heavy to use for simple "one-off" jobs when it is not on the slider already. So I modified a Bessey clamp to use in such cases. I thought maybe others might have use of it as well.

Take a T-track (in this case from Incra) and saw off a short length. Make sure one of the holes is about in the middle of the short piece of T-track. Tap a thread in it (I used M6). Find a set screw in the corresponding size (again M6 in this case). If the end is not flat, make it flat. In my experience it will grip better and not damage the T-track. You will need to file it anyway, because you want the screw to be long enough to reach the clamp and short enough not to protrude from the T-track (see photo's). Put the piece of T-track over the clamp. Tighten it with the set screw. Voila, now you have a quick clamping solution for the slider. Of course this is not the right tool for heavy clamping, but for most smaller jobs it will do.

HTH

A short piece of T-track with a screw hole in it.

[attachimg=1]

The piece of T-track with the set screw.

[attachimg=2]

The same piece of track with the filed off side of the set screw visible.

[attachimg=3]

The assembled contraption.

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

The clamp in use.

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Dang great idea!! I’m always looking for ways to clamp for the table saw. Definitely making this.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[junk731]

Been using and showing this on the Felder Owners Group for years now. Might find helpful.

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[cider]

Great solutions!  I also have the massive eccentric clamp, but made my own as well:

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[hdv]

[member=4907]kcufstoidi[/member]: At first I thought of something similar, but didn't think that would be sturdy enough in cases where the workpiece would not entirely cover the wooden insert. It seems I was wrong about that.

[member=59550]cider[/member]: I have and use the Kreg Bench Clamp too. As a matter of fact I do use it in combination with Kreg's base on the slider. But somehow that clamp always ends up on my drill press table.  [embarassed]  That's why I wanted an alternative.

Here's the Kreg clamp on the slider:

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And here you see that I removed the plastic hex thingie from the base and used an M8 T-bolt with a wing nut an a washer that's large enough to cover the recess. This adaptation makes the clamp fit for the slider. But I have to admit I like the Bessey clamp better for this purpose.

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[junk731]

I made a couple of 3' lengths and cut to various sizes and also drill them and use tee nuts if needed to attach jigs. The ones in the previous post are used mainly for bridge clamping in conjunction with a front air clamp. This pic shows it being used as a bridge clamp and using a Fritz and Frans jig cutting a narrow piece.

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[blaszcsj]

Are there any air clamp kits for the slider that are not ridiculously expensive?

 

[hdv]

Thanks for showing this. You taught me something about the strength of wood. I would never have thought the insert would stand up to that kind of shearing force. Good to know this!

 

[junk731]

The inserts are made from flat sawn maple. As far as clamp kits go it depends on your definition of ridiculously expensive. The really good ones from Airtightclamps are extremely well made and priced accordingly. The clamp in the previous pic is a basic Felder air clamp unit that only has a 4" stroke. Its something that was given to me to test when they first came out and has done most tasks without issue. The Felders Owners Group has a file for a members design called the Big Squeeze shown below. It has a cost of materials for I believe 200.00 to 300.00 dollars and a 4" stroke. You have to be extremely careful with any clamping unit to make the base and slot support is good so the slider can't be distorted under pressure. A lot of people feel they need 2 clamps on the slider but I only use the front one and will supplement with the quick clamps when needed.