Can a Woodworker have enough clamps?

I guess we all know the answer to this.
 
However.....   Do we have enough of the right type of clamps?

Hmmmmm ... that's open for discussion.

These are some "Wooden Cam Clamps" that I made. They are also known as Luthier Clamps.

The jaws and cams are made out of Maple. I bought the steel flat bar,  1" wide x 1/8" thick at HD. I setup an electrolysis tank that I made and zinc plated the steel.

I made four 12" and four 18" lengths. I measured the clamping force at approximately 300 lbs. I was surprised!

I used Spring Pins to assemble jaws to shaft and cam to jaw.

I then bonded leather pads on each jaw.

This is what a box looks like with the "Wooden Cam Clamp" in place.

Hope you enjoyed this!! They are very useful!

Cheers! - MrRick

Free plans:
https://www.woodsmith.com/article/build-your-own-cam-clamps/

Nicely done Rick. There used to be someone here that made several very similar to yours. Thanks for the "build" link. I think I have the file saved somewhere.

Thanks Grandpadave52! They are pretty useful. Especially for checking assemblies.

Another cool idea!! Now I just need my job to pay me 5 days wages for 2 days work so I can get 5 days in the shop.

Hey Gunny ... the one thing I've never heard from any man on his death bed is... "Gee I wish I spent more time at the office!"

On 1/29/2026 at 5:19 PM, Grandpadave52 said:

Nicely done Rick. There used to be someone here that made several very similar to yours. Thanks for the "build" link. I think I have the file saved somewhere.

That was billyjack about a year ago.

For all the guy's habitual grumpiness, he did do a nice build thread.

I haven't built any of the clamps yet. Too busy with other stuff, or perhaps a lack of focus.

1 hour ago, JWD said:

..... or perhaps a lack of focus.

That and prioritizing is the problem with alot of woodworkers. Other times it's not having anything to do.

21 hours ago, MrRick said:

That and prioritizing is the problem with alot of woodworkers. Other times it's not having anything to do.

I tend to use up my focus on the day job. Woodworking may get more of it when I eventually retire.