Clamps

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MuddyFox
Posts: 146
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:00 am

Clamps

Post by MuddyFox »

Are these any good for guitar making (that's a google pic, these are exactly the same)?
I've found them in 50mm x 200mm size for cheap at a local hardware store.
Just for comparison, cam clamps at the same store cost approximately 10x more.
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deadedith

Re: Clamps

Post by deadedith »

A cam clamp with a screw-down instead of a lever - I don't see why that would not work. But the 2" depth would be limiting. Regular cam clamps with a longer reach are necessary at many points.
MuddyFox
Posts: 146
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:00 am

Re: Clamps

Post by MuddyFox »

When needed, I can spring for a few deep cam (or other) clamps. I was considering these for say closing the box instead of spoolclamps, for neck/endblocks, maybe a fretboard in the future...?
tippie53
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Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Clamps

Post by tippie53 »

I use these and do find them acceptable for guitar work .
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsea ... =bar+clamp
I use the 12 inch and 6 inch ones
I usually don't like HF but these do the job
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Darryl Young
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Location: Arkansas

Re: Clamps

Post by Darryl Young »

I've used similar calmps quite a bit on the construction of my first guitar. Glueing head and tail blocks, glueing on the headstock veneer, building jigs, gluing the fretboard to the neck, etc. Also use them on my bridge making jig. So far me they are useful. The deeper the throat, the more useful they are.

If you use for glueing the top/back to the rims........keep in mind that you can make considerably more pressure with a screw clamp than with a cam clamp so be careful.
Slacker......
MuddyFox
Posts: 146
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:00 am

Re: Clamps

Post by MuddyFox »

@John: no quick release versions here, only regular bar clamps (I guess they are on some kind of sale, judging by relative cost to others), expensive cam clamps and even more expensive ratchet bar clamps.

@Darryl: so I guess they do come in handy. Being that I have no clamps at this point, I better stock up on these while they are still cheap and supplement with others when the need arises. I think there may be deeper ones as well but they probably cost a great deal more. I really need to go back and check (and buy some).
Good tip on the pressure, I'll keep an eye out for that.

Tnx for the input fellas!
tippie53
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Re: Clamps

Post by tippie53 »

they have a quick release version also ,
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-ra ... 46807.html
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
MuddyFox
Posts: 146
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:00 am

Re: Clamps

Post by MuddyFox »

Oh... :)

By "here" I meant my local store. However expensive they may be over here, having the clamps shipped from the States just can't be all that economical.
I hope to stumble across more discounted items as my build progresses.
Guitar Hack
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Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:44 pm

Re: Clamps

Post by Guitar Hack »

I use those kind of clamps. You can buy them pretty cheap at Harbor Freight. You can get all different sizes. They work fine.
tippie53
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Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Clamps

Post by tippie53 »

Cam clamps are fine but I prefer the bar clamp. The pad toggles and this helps to avoid stress points that can lead to cracking .
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
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