Cheap Clamps

[Rick]

We all need billions of small clamps to fix rubrails in place, right? The ABS/PVC pipe clamps work, but lack finesse.

Today at Home Depot, I found a huge box full of 2" Wolfcraft spring clamps for 97 cents apiece. They have swiveling jaws, and hold on like grim death. I bought ten, but I think I might pick up another dozen tomorrow. They are a great substitute for the little 2" c-clamps that we accumulate, and they won't dent plywood.

You can see a picture at the Wolfcraft Web site http://www.wolfcraft.com/product_detail.cfm?id=63.

Happy clamping!

[despotic931]

thanks for the tip

[TimeWalker]

additional tip right along this line My lowes has a box full of metal(with rubber) 2" spring clamps for 50% off and I believe the price was 75c and I stuck my finger inside one and it hurt they were beasts

[ks8]

I've used both types. The metal ones do not distribute the gripping as well, in my view, because the ends have less surface area, though they are covered with a vinyl tip. But I still use both types and have buckets of them. The metal ones are easier to work around on a large lamination though, whereas the plastic ones have less area to run your finger to wipe away excess uncured filler.

I'd rather wipe than grind and sand.

Don't forget though, if you are laminating a huge panel, you want pressure in the middle of the panel too, not just clamps around the edges, or you might squeeze a big airpocket into the center of the panel lamination. Better to let it burp out the sides.

sincerely,
ks

[shawnk]

i found those wolfcraft clamps at a home depot here for .97 for two! i bought a bag full of 'em! they are a good clamp for rub rails and such. i got another big bag full for christmas. probably have around 65 now....still not enough. i check the flea market most weekends for c-clamps. that's a great sourcee for clamps. sometimes can get 2" and 3" for 3.00 per dozen