Shopsmith Woodworking Tips #115 Cam Clamps

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STB
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Shopsmith Woodworking Tips #115 Cam Clamps

Post by STB »

Shopsmith Woodworking Tips #115 https://www.shopsmith.com/woodshoptips/ ... /index.htm
While on my garage sale rounds I run across a dumpster in front of a home remodel and found what appears to be solid maple countertop cutoffs (P1). The first step was to drill holes or the inside curve of the clamp body and rip at the glue seam. Thru blind luck the off cut were the exact size of the cam levers.(P2) I varied from the plans a little bit I made the clamp dementions fit the wood not the wood fit the plans if that makes any sense.
The next step was to make the mortises for the clamp beams. I used a kerf jig to position and pre drill the mortises.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNZWlLPw0HI (P3 & 4). Next was a trip to the hardware store to buy either roll pins or brass stock for the pins. Talk about sticker shock they wanted over $15 for 5/32 rods and the roll pins weren't far behind. So plan B nails work just fine just a little more fiddley (P5). I redesigned the cam lever to go over center and lock down. After I tried the finished clamp I am not sure that was necessary. The other thing I noticed is that with the cam in clamp position only the leading edge applies pressure. A fix would be to run the face thru the saw while the cam lever in in clamp position. But I may be over thinking the problem.
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Glenn
I create problem solving challenges and opportunities for design modification, not mistakes.

SS 520 born 04/16/03, Power Station mounted Band saw , Scroll saw, Jointer, Belt sander, Overarm router, dedicated Mark V drill press, SS Maxi-clamp system, Shopsmith woodworking bench
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nuhobby
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Re: Shopsmith Woodworking Tips #115 Cam Clamps

Post by nuhobby »

I've been wanting to try those for some time! Nice work. I got lazy, got some clamps from Shopsmith and from Lie-Nielsen, and I use them a lot.

I used a little one just the other day:
Kerfing w Blue Tape.jpg
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Chris
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reible
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Re: Shopsmith Woodworking Tips #115 Cam Clamps

Post by reible »

This reminded me of a recent video from Woodsmith:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOYW8Xyb0sY

They also have a set of other shop made clamp plans here, not free:

https://www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/5-shop-made-clamps/

I've though about making some of these but it is yet another thing I've not gotten to, I'm glad you did.

Ed
{Knight of the Shopsmith} [Hero's don't wear capes, they wear dog tags]
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BuckeyeDennis
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Re: Shopsmith Woodworking Tips #115 Cam Clamps

Post by BuckeyeDennis »

Sweet! :cool:
ricksss96
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Re: Shopsmith Woodworking Tips #115 Cam Clamps

Post by ricksss96 »

If you're reading this thread here is some more info on clamps.
The Woodsmith Shop TV show also publishes some _free_ plans and you can see them all here:
https://www.woodsmithshop.com/episodes/downloads/

This season they have a show plus PDF article on "5 Shop-Made Clamps" with a plan for a cam-clamp very much like the ones STB is making here, and 4 more types. If you are interested you can download that file here:
https://www.woodsmithshop.com/download/1310/258

Its free this year but you may have to register with an email address.

-Rick
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nuhobby
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Re: Shopsmith Woodworking Tips #115 Cam Clamps

Post by nuhobby »

I still love 'em! Are they no longer in the Catalog?

A very long one just helped with with a JB Weld job on a broken pot-metal hinge piece. It really worked, and saved some money!
Long Clamp.jpg
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