Poor Man's Clamping Element

[Eden1415]

While creating my version of MFS rails,  I needed to hold down the pieces while I sanded them.  I didn't have a set of claiming elements so I had to create my own.  Using a set of tall dogs,  some ends that I put groves in, and a set of 6" medium Irwin clamps. 

The first picture shows how two of them, working together, hold things securely to my MFT/3.  To make this work I cut off a bit of the pad from the handle side of the clamp so the neck and the slide would catch the long table dog as shown in picture 2. 

The third picture shows all the pieces together,  The end that has a grove in it for the slide, with the clamp with the parf dog hooked in it.  I keep the clamped pieces flat by rasing the clamp off the table  That keep everything flat. 

How strong is it?  The final picture shows a piece of plywood being bent by this imitation clamping element.  It's not pretty,  but it was what I needed at the time to do what the clamping element does.

Enjoy;

 

[Locks14]

My first thought is if you can afford to pay the going rate for an MFT/3 as your workbench you can probably afford the clamping elements to go with it.

 

[mike_aa]

That's really a great idea!  I like it and it frees up some $$$ for other stuff.  Even if you have a set of the clamping elements, this would be good to have to use in a pinch if you end up needing more clamping for a project.

Have you thought of using 20mm bolts instead of the tall dogs?

Thanks, Mike A.

 

[ear3]

Nice improvisation!

 

[BUTTER]

It took me years of having an MFT to get around to spending the $ on the clamping elements, and my only regret about them is that I didn't buy them sooner!
The thing that surprised me is that I can easily clamp a (wide!) board on edge for dominoing, planing, sanding etc.

 

[Eden1415]

Have you thought of using 20mm bolts instead of the tall dogs?

Thanks, Mike A.

Not then, I was just trying to use what I had on hand at the time, though it was FOG worthy, and wanted to pass it on.  The 20mm bolts might give a bit better bight to the clamp and prevent it from slipping.  The big problem I found was racking,  By moving the clamp neck up the dog,  that solved that problem quickly.  I'll have to order some 20mm bolts and nuts to have them available.      Thanks for the comment and the idea.