Workshop Clamps

Build a few of these giant twin-bar clamps which are for glueing layered strips of wood into a single large piece. Follow along at the link to see how to make your own giant clamps.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a vise which is very useful for small work or for holding material to be worked on a drill press. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a clamp storage rack. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a mobile clamp rack on 3 inch locking casters. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Schematic for a rack to store pipe clamps. DeltaCAD .DC format.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a space saving clamp rack. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a mobile clamp cart for the workshop. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Build this wall-mounted clamp storage rack for your workshop using these free instructions.

A wall-mounted clamp rack. DeltaCAD format.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a corner clamp setup which effectively places good clamping across mitered corner joints and is shop made from scraps and 2 strips of sandpaper. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for my bar clamp storage system. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a simple clamp cart on wheels. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a 4-corner adjustable wooden frame clamp. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This clamp storage cart was featured in the October 2007 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine.

If manufactured clamps are not available, make these wedge clamps.

This quick-release allows you to rapidly open or close the jaws of the benchtop vise in Issue No. 71. It works just like the quick-release mechanism on a manufactured bench vise. Instead of turning the handle of the vise, all you have to do is flip a lever and slide the rear jaw to where you want it. Then flip the lever back to lock the jaw in position. This supplementary article is available to download in this Online Extra.

Although many power tools now include dust-collection ports, removing debris while boring on a drill press remains a challenge. Here is a simple rig that allows you to position a vacuum hose near the bit, yet easily reposition it when necessary.

When gluing up panels, I like to remove the glue squeeze-out before it sets. But pipe clamps laid flat on my assembly bench left me no room to clean the underside of the joints. So I found a way to take my panel-making to a higher level.

This overhead rack easily holds several dozen small clamps of any type. You can hang your longer bar clamps and pipe clamps directly on the bench itself for convenient, easy access.

Let a few scraps of hardwood and hardboard remove the hassle from gluing up panels.

To meet clamping challenges head-on, I built this wall-mounted clamping station. It combines the glue-up area, clamps, and drying area into a single location. So there is no need to worry about cleaning off a workbench when it comes time to glue up a panel. The cutting diagrams and materials list are available to download in this Online Extra.

Build this mobile clamp stand and get your workshop organized. At the link you can click on the picture to download the free woodworking plan.

I decided it was time to make some sort of storage rack that would hold both my clamps and my sheet wood. The following is what I came up with.

If you do not have a dedicated veneer press, you can still get the job done with common clamps, cauls, and wooden beams, as long as you use enough clamps for adequate pressure and distribute the clamping pressure as evenly as possible.

Build this wall-mounted swing out clamp rack using these free woodworking plans with instructions.

Follow along at the link as Jay build a sliding moxon vise. At the end of the instructions you can download the free woodworking plan.

Build your own handy corner assembly clamps using this free tutorial.

Build your own wooden bar clamps using this free woodworking plan.

Clamping jobs like that shown in the photo require clamping pressure farther in from the edge than sliding-head clamps provide. These hardworking extensions solve the problem.

I got tired of finding my band clamps all balled up in a drawer, so I devised these ultra-simple holders to keep them in order.