The V11SP and the V22SP are what I depend on for these two clamping situations. Plus I have made different pads with a quick change over for these Vise Grips.

These jewelry boxes are 10 panels wide when glued up. 

I did try cheaper brands but none would stay clamped out at their maximum width capacity. To keep these aligned properly  I use 4 dowels between each piece of wood and only glue one piece at a time. If during clamping it either means lots of sanding or else fire wood!!

Here pipe clamps are the easiest to make to sit off the table as high as I need them so I can use the Vise Grips to keep the wood where I need it to stay so there is less planing and sanding later on.

 

Not every body goes to this much trouble when edge gluing wood. The red pipe clamps are from HF, no problem.

 

These Petersons Vise Grips have never failed me when welding with them and they are great with wood also. Easy to make different shapes of jaws when something unusual comes up.

"how many clamps do you have?"

 

"not enough!"

Jesse, you've shown some great applications for those clamps. Lots of ideas/inspiration there. 

Thanks a lot. 

Those look like they can really do the job. Deep throated clamps are really useful.

I agree with you Jess the off brand clamps had bad locking devices.  I have 16 of the Vise Grip brand and they are the best.  It has been said Lee Valley would not sell junk and maybe so but I would still prefer to spend my money on the proven brand unless of course I could examine them before buying.

I like the riser blocks on your pipe clamps.  I have a ton of those HF clamps as well, they get the job done for me for the price. I like how you screwed the blocks on the faces of the clamps. Are they hardwood or MDF?

The Vise Grip products are made in China now, does anyone know if they are still up to the quality most of us are used to with the older USA ones?

35 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

The Vise Grip products are made in China now, does anyone know if they are still up to the quality most of us are used to with the older USA ones?

they are not...

springs broke right off...

hard clamping bends/twists them...

these are chinese ones... wasn't about to use the US made ones welding...

 

 

Kelso the wood is ash. I didn't even consider MDF for sometimes I have to wash or scrape the glue off.

  And a perfect out of the way location and since the table saw is the table of choice for edge gluing. I've never owned a work or assembly table .The rack, 2x6 with 3/4" dowels glued in.

Edited February 4, 20179 yr by Smallpatch

The thing I noticed most in the first pics Patch was the thermometer showing ~71⁰...wish I had that in my work area right now...where can I get one at that setting? 

Edited February 4, 20179 yr by Grandpadave52

A couple more riser block pics. As you can see, mine are attached with screws like Preston's. They're MDF. Paint makes the glue easier to wash off. Why are they red? Uhhh, I don't know. Probably because red was the first can I grabbed.

 

 

Dave I went to a lot of trouble to get this shop where I could control the temp. When I built it I used oil field pipe for the up rights then cross ways I welded 4" perlins for the sheet iron meaning I screwed up. 6 inch perlins would have been close to the same cost but would enable more better thicker insulation.  So, what did I do, I ripped 2x6's into three pieces and added them to the inside of the building like they were 2x4 studs  and each place that I connected the wood to the perlin I had to drill 1/4" through the perlin and through the wood...Lots of screwing  went into this building and then added 6" insulation then 1/2" sheetrock against that........ you aught to have been here when I was stuffing all that insulation in the gaps... You see, this building was intended to be used as a storage only and we were going to be running up and down every highway in the country. After about 2 1/2 years of going up and down those stairs, enough. And to start with she wanted to sell house and land and live in the motor home. Wow, I sure am glad I won out on that one.... 

  Those look great Gene. But let me ask you since I did this, Did you use the same sets of holes in the metal so you could exchange different faces to the clamps for different situations. About the most time consuming chore I engaged in  for a long time... I finally gave in and bought more pipe and clamps.....

 Also when buying black pipe it is cheaper to go to the lumber yard and by it in long pieces, 25 foot, take it home cut it and thread it and save about half the cost.

   Oh and you say you only have a pickup to haul 25 foot pieces of pipe around in and that don't work so good. Take some baling wire along with you and tie the pipe under the pickup. I also haul 20 foot rebar that  way.

8 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

you aught to have been here when I was stuffing all that insulation in the gaps.

Wish I could have been too, but already makes me itch just thinking about it... Using oil field pipe for your verticals, that building 'ain't likely to ever go anywhere...it'll be around for the next century.

Yeah, I used the holes that came with the clamps.  But, haven't found a need to change them out. I do have some 6' lengths of black pipe. But, I'm finding my projects get smaller as I get older.  

Haven't been to HF yet to look at those locking "C" clamps. Need to find an a better excuse to sell to SWMBO. Maybe a dinner out?

This is the best pic I have of the clamp pads on my pipe clamps. It is removable and is held on by a strip of wood creating a channel

Lots of great ideas and uses for different clamps!!

 

 

Made it to HF today. Didn't need to bribe the wife after all. But she gave me a whale of a grocery list.

Anyway, the HF clamps don't come close to the Lee Valley clamps. I'm guessing they may be an ounce or so lighter. Their action is not as smooth, especially the adjustment screw. I had to play with several before I found 4 that I could get to twist from full open to fully closed. Also, the spring just looks chincy but it actually pulls a bit harder the the Lee Valley model. Finally, the finish isn't nice and smooth, either. Not a big deal but, it is a difference. Nevertheless,  I bought 4 of them. Heck, at $3.99-20% ea. if they last 6 months, I'm happy. 

Edited February 5, 20179 yr by Gene Howe

all those reasons to stay out of HF and you still bought anyways...

 

Yep. And I bought some rubber gloves and some magnets, too. Hey, it's 45 miles down there. Couldn't leave empty handed. And, I did promise to review them. Let's put them to work, that's the real test. 

I get my nitrile gloves at hf, that is about it. Still have some of their "f" clamps from years ago, still working