Miter Clamp Help Needed...

[darita]

I saw the Woodpecker Miter Clamps and they look great, but I see how they would hold the two pieces together, but don't see how they would pull the 2 sides of the joint together.  
These are not the Woodpecker clamps, but seem like they would work well, but I can't find them anywhere...

Any other suggestions for good miter clamps?

 

[Kev]

I just got 4 of these Besseys ...

http://www.carbatec.com.au/external-mitre-clamp_c8220?zenid=poajnmf05gp56h66fj0mqdq593

(Oz link)

... haven't tried them yet, but I reckon they're the goods!

 

[Scarpia]

I don't know what your need for them is but these can't be beat for mitered casing and a few other uses---    http://www.miterclamp.com/

 

[fatroman]

Another vote for Jim Chestnut's Clam clamps at miterclamp.com

Those clamps rock if you are looking to work with any kind of casing. They do put little pin holes in the casing sides, but fixing any tiny imperfections like that is absolutely worth it for the tight joint you get.

 

[Frank-Jan]

I just got 4 of these Besseys ...

http://www.carbatec.com.au/external-mitre-clamp_c8220?zenid=poajnmf05gp56h66fj0mqdq593

(Oz link)

... haven't tried them yet, but I reckon they're the goods!

I have two of those (Luckily they didn't have 4 in stock when I needed them). It holds pieces at 90 degrees, but doesn't pull them together.

 

[dltflt]

You can try these Blokz they look like they may work similar to the woodpecker clamps.  Ive never used them but want to try them some day.

 

[NERemodeling]

I have always used Hartford #62 miter clamps    http://www.coastaltool.com/clamps_vises/hartford/hartford_miter.htm

they seem similar to the clam clamps, which I havent tried.  i can speak for the Hartford clamps and they are great, they also leave little holes in the casing but like Fatroman said, small price to pay for the results they give (depending on your application) 

also, these things are solid cast iron... indestructible!

John

 

[farms100]

I have always used Hartford #62 miter clamps     http://www.coastaltool.com/clamps_vises/hartford/hartford_miter.htm

they seem similar to the clam clamps, which I havent tried.   i can speak for the Hartford clamps and they are great, they also leave little holes in the casing but like Fatroman said, small price to pay for the results they give (depending on your application) 

also, these things are solid cast iron... indestructible!

John

those look interesting, how much do you have to sand to get rid of the holes?

 

[barnowl]

Home made (not mine)

 

[NERemodeling]

those look interesting, how much do you have to sand to get rid of the holes?

not exactly sure what you are asking so here is two answers that i can come up with

the clamps make 5 holes, on each side of the miter within 7-8" of the miter (each about the size of an 18ga nail head) they are probably a bit deeper than 1/16" 

in terms of painted window and door trim, they usually only have to be addressed on the 2 legs of the casing and not the top (unless visible somehow, like from a 2nd floor)

1: You arent going to remove the holes with sanding, you would have to remove too much material...      if somehow you could plan a way to plane or rip 1/16-1/8" off the edges of your casing/work piece then i guess you could remove the holes that way

2: what i usually do, when i remove the clamps, i have a folded up piece of 220g and QUICKLY hit all the areas with holes to eliminate the chance of any ridges around the holes that would prevent a nice flat fill job. then you just fill the holes like you would any other nail hole and sand them smooth. they are quite fast to fill/sand because they are all so close togther

let me know if that did or didnt answer your question..   

i have never minded the extra effort because of how super tight the joint comes out

 

[rdesigns]

Home made (not mine)

Those with the round section (looks like a piece of handrail?) are ingenious in the way they allow other than just 90 degree miters. I've made the type shown in your photo, but now I'm gonna make a set with the round clamp pads--thanks for posting. BTW, the grip can be enhanced by sticking on a piece of self-stick sandpaper to surface that touches the work.

 

[barnowl]

The round stock in the small picture is 1" dowel stock, with one flattened side, glued to scrap.

 

[jmarkflesher]

This works great but I can not find them any more. They were made by Bessey. Let me know if you can find them. Thanks, MARK

 

[Brice Burrell]

I have always used Hartford #62 miter clamps     http://www.coastaltool.com/clamps_vises/hartford/hartford_miter.htm

they seem similar to the clam clamps, which I havent tried.   i can speak for the Hartford clamps and they are great, they also leave little holes in the casing but like Fatroman said, small price to pay for the results they give (depending on your application) 

also, these things are solid cast iron... indestructible!

John

The Clam clamps got that beat, they are all stainless steel and brass.  One of the very few products you can buy today that will last a lifetime, probably longer. 

 

[darita]

Thanks for your replies.  Some of the clamps suggested looks great, but are more$ than I wanted to spend.  I found the Bessey Clamps I was looking for at Grizzly.com.  I also got some of the Collins Clamps, so between the two, I should do OK.  If I really get into trimming out the home, then I may look more seriously at the more expensive clamps.  Thanks again!

 

[WoodWhisperer]

The Clam clamps are the best thing around for miters!!  Add a biscuit to the joint and it will stay together forever.  Love going back to jobs I used the clamps on and yrs later the casing is tight as the day I installed it!!  Wish I had more!!