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cam clamps *again*
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=11605		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  KenH [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:34 am ]
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Looking through the archives it looks like it has been a good while since this subject has come up and I thought I would rehash it again.


I am thinking of purchasing about another 30 or so cam clamps and I know LMI sells them for around $12 each, but I am looking for some for less if available. Since I am purchasing so many at one time, I think I should be able to get them for less than $10 each??


Does anybody know a good source?
Author:  KiwiCraig [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:01 am ]
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I, like many others, have made them.......... $12 is incredibly cheap !












Author:  Arnt Rian [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:11 am ]
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Yes, but you have the prettiest ones I have seen, Craig!

I made some too, then came to my senses and bought a stack of no name beech ones from Clas Ohlson (local hardware store chain) for about the same as the LMI ones.
Author:  KMartin [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:17 am ]
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I see Grizzly is selling some Shop Fox brand cam clamps: http://www.grizzly.com/products/H2842
Author:  KiwiCraig [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:30 am ]
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Many thanks guys. I also made a big mother ,I call Jumbo. It has a 36" bar and I use it frequently . Handy for all sorts of jobs !





I "tune " the flap part by thinning it out so that the jaws have a more parallel grip
Author:  KiwiCraig [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:34 am ]
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Hesh, except for 'Jumbo' . they are made from deep red Tasmanian Myrtle , which is related to Euro Beech . The wood is ideal
Author:  Louis Freilicher [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:35 am ]
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[QUOTE=KMartin] I see Grizzly is selling some Shop Fox brand cam clamps:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/H2842[/QUOTE]

They are junk compared to the Stew-Mac clamps. The stick and break!

Louis
Author:  KiwiCraig [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:41 am ]
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Dam that edit button !!   I meant to also say that a very,very,very,very small amount of violin resin on the cam is helpful . Too much and it will be sticky ( you can wipe off any excess )
Author:  Howard Klepper [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:55 am ]
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Wasted money on three Shop Fox clamps. They are useless.

BTW, don't tell Paul what a good deal he has been giving.
Author:  Todd Rose [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:41 pm ]
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When I need more cam clamps, I don't even consider any kind other than Klemmsia clamps. If I ever thought about making my own, I'd put the thought out of my mind, order some more Klemmsias, and get back to guitar building.

Like with most tools, trying to save money will cost you more in the long run. In this case, the best don't even cost much more.

Author:  Ray L [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 1:51 pm ]
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I like the Klemmsia clamps also. I found that Highland Hardware has the best price on them. If you purchase in quantity, you can get them for $12.00 for the 7-3/4" x 4-1/4" ones and about $17.00 for the 7-3/4" x 7-3/4" ones (the deep ones, good for gluing on bridges)

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEW PROD&ProdID=2879

As I don't have enough time to even make guitars, I don't want to use the time I do have to make clamps.

Ray

Author:  Anthony Z [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:18 pm ]
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I was dumb enough to make my own clamps and they don't work near as well as the Klemsia clamps I purchased from Lee Valley.

Though Craig seeing yours -- I'd like 4 to 6 please
Author:  John How [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:06 pm ]
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Hee Hee, I bought a dozen back in 90 something from stew mac on sale for under $7 each. I wish I had bought twicw as many.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:18 pm ]
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I was on line today looking for Hock plane irons and chip breakers, and found good prices at this place.  They also sell cam clamps at pretty good prices in groups of 6.  It is worth a look.  They carry good stuff.  High quality, and sell used tools too.  Great website.


http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/camclamps.htm  Is the link to the cam clamp page.  take a look.


 
Author:  Philip Perdue [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:43 pm ]
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I bought my klemmsia clamps at http://www.highlandwoodworking.com. They were the best price I could find plus an extra 10% discount if you buy 9 or more.

Philip
Author:  KiwiCraig [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 4:31 pm ]
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I agree with Todd, The best option is to buy them, but be careful, as others have stated, some simply don't work. An aluminium (rather than steel )bar works best as it cuts down on weight considerably .

The dozen or so I made took me quite some time to make ,but as I enjoy designing and making things I don't mind. It's called Fun !

I just designed and made a guitar stand . It was fun also , and works better than any I could buy.


Anthony , I have you down for 6 clamps @ $12 each . Any other takers ?   
Author:  Martin Turner [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:30 pm ]
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Craig,

I'll take a dozen but they have to be in Brazillian Rosewood
Author:  Martin Turner [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:32 pm ]
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Seriously though...if you're offering your fine clamps for sale at $12 I'd be interested in taking a dozen.
Author:  bob J [ Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:27 pm ]
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Paul's are far and away the best clamps I have used. Not to mention the $
Author:  CarltonM [ Thu Apr 12, 2007 7:49 am ]
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[QUOTE=WaddyT] ...found good prices at this place.  http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/camclamps.htm  Is the link to the cam clamp page.  take a look.


 

[/QUOTE]
Nice find, Waddy! Lowest prices I've seen on Auriou rasps. Nicholson patternmaker's too. Also chisels.
Author:  Anthony Z [ Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:02 am ]
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Craig PM me if you are serious!

Those are nice clamps!
Author:  Rob Girdis [ Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:07 pm ]
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I have an observation about cam clamps.
One of my students has been making some for himself. He bought a Shop Fox to take a pattern from. I pounded the roll pin out of the cam and found that the cam is drilled with the hole centered on the lengthwise centerline of the cam. This makes the cam reach maximum force when the cam is half way through its travel range. As you rotate past that point the cam gets looser. The Klemsias are drilled with the hole in the cam below (and a little forward, or outward) of that centerline. This little detail gives you more range of clamping pressure because the more you rotate the cam the more force you get out of the clamp, which is desirable.
Author:  Todd Rose [ Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:00 pm ]
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[QUOTE=ToddStock] The Woodcraft clamps are pretty good, although other than a 10% sale, the price is merely tolerable. [/QUOTE]

I have a couple of those, and in my experience they are definitely not as good as Klemmsias. The cam will often come loose after they are clamped, whereas my Klemmsias never do that.

I really don't know what it is about the design of Klemmsias that makes them work so much better, but they've got it dialed in.
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