You can never have too many clamps!

[es07Eric]

Well, as a "green" woodworker, I've never experienced a full clamp deployment.  I always hear "you can never have too many clamps" and I often say: "really, not me?!"  Well, today I used every clamp (that had the capacity) in my shop, and even contemplated going to fetch a few more.  It was a small milestone in my journey into finer woodworking so I decided to snap a photo and share:

[attachimg=#]
I need more clamps!

Cheers,
Eric

 

[semenza]

Yup.  You need more clamps.

Nice picture, Eric.

Had to post this one .......................

[attachimg=#]

Seth

 

[Kev]

Yup.  You need more clamps.

Nice picture, Eric.

Had to post this one .......................

[attachimg=#]

Seth

Hey - did you make that for sawing a lady in half? [big grin]

 

[es07Eric]

Yup.  You need more clamps.

Nice picture, Eric.

Had to post this one .......................

[attachimg=#]

Seth

Seth,

Thank you!

WOW!  That's awesome!  Do they still offer that three way clamp like the one you have holding the face frame together?  All the ones I come across look like a "C" clamp with what appears to be an afterthought of a center screw post.  The one you have looks to be a bit more rugged and offer a better distribution of pressure.

Cheers,
Eric

 

[wow]

Seth, Do they still offer that three way clamp like the one you have holding the face frame together?  
Eric

I am not Seth but I happen to know the answer. Yes, they do but they aren't cheap. They ALMOST should come in green, if you know what I mean?

They are available from several places - a quick search found them cheapest on Amazon:

Bessey EKT55 One-Handed Edge Clamp
List Price: $83.35
Price: $55.17  

www.amazon.com/Bessey-EKT55-One-Handed-Edge-Clamp/dp/B000022457

 

[semenza]

      The Bessey three way edge clamps work very well. I have looked at other similar ones. But I haven't seen others that look as gentle on the finish or wood surface. The Besseys have grippy material on the side pads that really holds.  Rather than a cam action "rolling" side jaw they have a parallelogram type of action to draw tight. 

      [attachimg=#]

      [attachimg=#]

Seth

 

[Sparktrician]

Seth, it seems like you might need a small crew just to carry your clamps... 

[poke]

 

[es07Eric]

      The Bessey three way edge clamps work very well. I have looked at other similar ones. But I haven't seen others that look as gentle on the finish or wood surface. The Besseys have grippy material on the side pads that really holds.  Rather than a cam action "rolling" side jaw they have a parallelogram type of action to draw tight. 

Seth

Thanks Seth, is this the right type of clamp for attaching face frames or is the "C" clamp type sufficient?

[attachimg=#]

 

[semenza]

      The Bessey three way edge clamps work very well. I have looked at other similar ones. But I haven't seen others that look as gentle on the finish or wood surface. The Besseys have grippy material on the side pads that really holds.  Rather than a cam action "rolling" side jaw they have a parallelogram type of action to draw tight. 

Seth

Thanks Seth, is this the right type of clamp for attaching face frames or is the "C" clamp type sufficient?

[attachimg=#]

The three way screw type in your picture certainly work. Just need to pad each contact point to avoid indentations. These show one of the Bessey advantages ............ all three directions tighten uniformly with one screw.  A lot less fumbling.

Seth

 

[semenza]

Seth, it seems like you might need a small crew just to carry your clamps... 

[poke]

Yeah, tell me about it. I try not to need more than a few on site.  The Bessey three way are very nice when working on a built-in with no access to the back for a bar clamp.

Seth

 

[Wonderwino]

[eek] Haven't you guys ever heard of Bowclamps?

Bowclamps

 

[Colonel Panic]

[eek] Haven't you guys ever heard of Bowclamps?

Bowclamps

It is a fancy caul. Been around for years. He made it more convenient by putting the kerf to hold the clamp and the caul together.

 

[wow]

[eek] Haven't you guys ever heard of Bowclamps?

Bowclamps

It is a fancy caul. Been around for years. He made it more convenient by putting the kerf to hold the clamp and the caul together.

Is there a way to HIDE these two comments? I'd hate to think that my wife could see them and decide that I don't NEED any more clamps!

[scared]

 

[Wonderwino]

 

 

 

[mouppe]

[eek] Haven't you guys ever heard of Bowclamps?

Bowclamps

It is a fancy caul. Been around for years. He made it more convenient by putting the kerf to hold the clamp and the caul together.

It's actually quite difficult to make. I tried once but to get a smooth curve over several feet is not easy. And if it's not completely smooth you will have areas where the clamping pressure is reduced.

In the end I paid for the bowclamps and several years later I don't regret it.

 

[es07Eric]

[eek] Haven't you guys ever heard of Bowclamps?

Bowclamps

It is a fancy caul. Been around for years. He made it more convenient by putting the kerf to hold the clamp and the caul together.

Is there a way to HIDE these two comments? I'd hate to think that my wife could see them and decide that I don't NEED any more clamps!

[scared]

Too FUNNY!

 

[leakyroof]

      The Bessey three way edge clamps work very well. I have looked at other similar ones. But I haven't seen others that look as gentle on the finish or wood surface. The Besseys have grippy material on the side pads that really holds.  Rather than a cam action "rolling" side jaw they have a parallelogram type of action to draw tight. 

       [attachimg=#]

       [attachimg=#]

Seth

  They are awesome, aren't they. I only own about 6 of  them, but as you noted, they grip tight and don't leave a mark on anything that I've used them on.  Very cool  [thumbs up]

 

[rst]

http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/bessey-ekt-55  $46.00 from Acme Tool

 

[vidkid26]

I was lucky enough to pick up 3 of theses from longtime woodworker who was selling off his shop because of illness.
I paid $4 a piece for them. His pricing not mine.  [jawdrop]

 

[erock]

I was lucky enough to pick up 3 of theses from longtime woodworker who was selling off his shop because of illness.
I paid $4 a piece for them. His pricing not mine.  [jawdrop]

Dude if I was standing next to you at the moment I would hit you with a 2x4……..out of jealousy.    [tongue]  [poke]

Nice score !    [not worthy]

Eric