Clamps???

Helpful hints on how to build 'em, and where to get the stuff you need.
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badgerman
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:19 pm

Clamps???

#1 Post by badgerman »

So I'm about ready to start what is basicly my practice build of a WH8. (as a proof of woodworking competency for the DR250 and T39 next)

So I'm wondering is there a good "go-to" place for cheap clamps. (online or otherwise) I'm working on a college budget (no budget at all) so I'm honestly shooting for the $5 range for the bigger clamps that are going for $13-39 in the stores here...

Right now I've got:
2X 24" F clamp
3X 10"? F Clamp
1X 3" C Clamp

With a build roster of two DR250 and then two T39's... what's an appropriate amount of clamps? (Other than never having enough)

Frederic Gelinas
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Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:03 am
Location: Saint-Pie, Quebec, Canada

Re: Clamps???

#2 Post by Frederic Gelinas »

On a budget, I'd try to find them on the used market. I'd get 4 longer F-Clamps and 4 long pipe clamps. You should then have enough to go trough most build.
Frédéric Gélinas, HF Audio
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bzb
Posts: 1567
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:16 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Clamps???

#3 Post by bzb »

Pipe clamps are cheap at Harbor Freight. Pipes you can get pretty cheap at Lowes. Get the longer ones and have them cut em down and tap them for you - I think it's one cut/tap is free.

Stay away from the quick clamps from Harbor Freight, though. The orange/black ones. The red/black ones are OK, but for the price you can get Irwin ones from the Depot.

The HD that's near me still has some more of the Irwin 4 packs for $20.
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jswingchun
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Re: Clamps???

#4 Post by jswingchun »

bzb wrote:Stay away from the quick clamps from Harbor Freight, though. The orange/black ones.
+1. The orange/black ones are WORTHLESS!! They break when you try to apply any pressure at all.
Omni 10
Omni 10.5
OmniTop 12 x 4
Wedgehorn 8 x 3
XF212
T39 @ 18" x 2
T39 @ 20" x 2
T39 @ 28" x 2
Jack 110 x 5
Jack Lite 12
XF210
XF210 (Slant only, no crossfire)

Charles Warwick
Posts: 586
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 1:25 am
Location: Ames, Iowa

Re: Clamps???

#5 Post by Charles Warwick »

bzb wrote:Pipe clamps are cheap at Harbor Freight. Pipes you can get pretty cheap at Lowes. Get the longer ones and have them cut em down and tap them for you - I think it's one cut/tap is free.

Stay away from the quick clamps from Harbor Freight, though. The orange/black ones. The red/black ones are OK, but for the price you can get Irwin ones from the Depot.

The HD that's near me still has some more of the Irwin 4 packs for $20.
+1 on all points. I bought one of those Irwin sets, and it works well, but I accidentally broke one of them already when it caught on my coat, but hey, they were cheap.

Also, the black and blue cheapo clamps from Menards are pretty awful too. Not recommended, but will get the job done. Also check out goodwill or salvation army, I've found a few craftsman clamps there for cheap.

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