Page 1 of 2

Alternative to Clothes Pins for Kerf Clamps

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 7:39 am
by scamp
Collecting tools for my first guitar kit build.
Been reading about using clothes pins with rubber bands for clamping the kerf for gluing.
Generally considered acceptable but not great solution.
Does anyone have any better recommendations on a reasonably priced kerf clamping solution?

Thanks

Re: Alternative to Clothes Pins for Kerf Clamps

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 9:42 am
by Skarsaune
I use these
9486CE71-CB82-4436-B0E8-56D2D6C16FFC.png
$5 a container full, I have 2 containers.
Been working well for me.

Re: Alternative to Clothes Pins for Kerf Clamps

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:01 am
by John Reid
I've been using these:

Re: Alternative to Clothes Pins for Kerf Clamps

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 11:51 am
by jread
Here’s my chance to compliment John again. I’ve used several different vendors for the traditional kerfed lining. Some are more stiff than others. I’ve made my own too. Most are difficult to clamp with clothes pins

Well blues creek guitars kerfed lining is just right. Just the right depth in the cuts to lay it in and hold with clothes pins. Sometimes I use a spring clamp on the waist.

Re: Alternative to Clothes Pins for Kerf Clamps

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 12:16 pm
by Stray Feathers
All clothes pins are not created equal. If you go online and look for "strong clothes pins" you'll see many made in the US, with stronger springs, sometimes stainless steel. Look for heavier gauge wire and more wraps. Mine came from Lee Valley but it does not look like they list them any more. Traditional clothespins are 100% recyclable too. We use them as - um - clothespins, too. Bruce W.

Re: Alternative to Clothes Pins for Kerf Clamps

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 3:17 pm
by jread
[quote="Stray Feathers" post_id=55643 time=1648570575 user_id=3336289 We use them as - um - clothespins, too.
[/quote]

The Mrs often asks if there are any clothes pins that aren’t sticky…

Re: Alternative to Clothes Pins for Kerf Clamps

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:23 pm
by Kevin Sjostrand
I used to use cloths pins wrapped with rubber bands and they worked just okay. Now I use binder clips.....the kind you can get at office supplies stores. The mediums are about an inch wide. A but large for the tight waist of an OM size but if your kerfing fit is good you can use them there too. I think enough to do both sides at a time was around $12. Very strong clamping.

Re: Alternative to Clothes Pins for Kerf Clamps

Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 8:40 am
by scamp
Thanks everyone for all the helpful suggestions.
I will check them out.

I did a quick check of the clothes pins I have laying around and couldn't believe the variability in closing pressure.

Also, I like the idea of maybe using binder clips.
Thanks for this suggestion.

I am building an OM guitar so I am concerned about the waist area.

I'm also a little concerned about the metal of a binder clip against the outside of the guitar.
I assume you can probably put tape on the outside edge to protect it.
Let me know if there are any better ways.

Re: Alternative to Clothes Pins for Kerf Clamps

Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:31 am
by Kevin Sjostrand
I've never had the binder clip dent the side. Many different woods.....not an issue. With softwood it might be

Re: Alternative to Clothes Pins for Kerf Clamps

Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 1:04 pm
by tippie53