I think I have enough clamps ...

[Reggieb]

Should I be worried?

 

[AndyP]

Evidence?

 

[Mike G]

I'm waaaaaaaaaaay ahead of you Rob. I've got enough tools. I have had for years.

 

[Reggieb]

Well .... I can't remember the last time I thought ... oh! if I just had another clamp. I always seem to have enough.

I saw another advertisement for clamps and that reminded me of the cliche along the lines of "How many clamps do you need? One more than you have. It's seems to be trope that you can never have enough clamps ... but I think I do have enough. Is the trope just a sale ploy?

As someone is bound to ask, I've done a quick count. I have

• 4 x 30 cm one hand clamps
• 4 x 45 cm one hand clamps
• 6 x 80 cm one hand clamps
• 12 x 140+ cm sash clamps
• 2 x 70 cm F clamps
• 4 x 40 cm F clamps

And a variety of smaller clamps.

To be honest the 14 one hand clamps cover the vast majority of clamping work for me. I've occasionally needed to get the sash clamps out.

 

[duke]

I could use a few more.
Need 4 more 4'
and 4 more 6'

 

[meccarroll]

I think the amount and size of clamps you need will always depend on your intended project. If you have enough you are a lucky man.

 

[AndyT]

I could use a few more.
Need 4 more 4'
and 4 more 6'

Not having enough cramps is an ideal excuse for a bit of woodworking!

Thread 'How to make your own wooden sash cramps' https://www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk/threads/how-to-make-your-own-wooden-sash-cramps.6227/

 

[duke]

Not having enough cramps is an ideal excuse for a bit of woodworking!

Thread 'How to make your own wooden sash cramps' https://www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk/threads/how-to-make-your-own-wooden-sash-cramps.6227/

Must have missed your post back then, I'll give a read.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

sixty or seventy last I looked.

 

[Woodbloke]

I have a couple of Record sash cramp extension bars which means the longest length I can pull together is around 3m - Rob

 

[Reggieb]

Not having enough cramps is an ideal excuse for a bit of woodworking!

Thread 'How to make your own wooden sash cramps' https://www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk/threads/how-to-make-your-own-wooden-sash-cramps.6227/

Must admit to meaning to build some of these clamps but have not got round to it. Even purchased the plans and pins.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I have a couple of Record sash cramp extension bars which means the longest length I can pull together is around 3m - Rob

I just bolt two 4' ones end to end, that's long enough for anything I do.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I remember reading an article on boatbuilding in the woodworking press some 35 years ago - I did brief pricing job on the cramps being used in the picture shown - current pricing at the time, £6,800.

 

[AndyT]

I remember reading an article on boatbuilding in the woodworking press some 35 years ago - I did brief pricing job on the cramps being used in the picture shown - current pricing at the time, £6,800.

That's a good point and an important consideration for a lot of woodworkers.

I don't think I mentioned the cost of the clamps in my build thread. For the antiques I bought, I think the hammer price was £14 for the one large straight one and the two smaller ones, one of which had the wonky bar.
The bits of wood and brass I used are just the sort of thing that accumulates over the decades, I don't think I actually paid any money for any of them.

 

[Woodbloke]

Must admit to meaning to build some of these clamps but have not got round to it. Even purchased the plans and pins.

I believe a certain Steve Maskery esq. of this parish produced a very decent method of building those some years ago; I made one from maple about 600mm long - Rob

 

[Reggieb]

I believe a certain Steve Maskery esq. of this parish produced a very decent method of building those some years ago; I made one from maple about 600mm long - Rob

Yes, I enjoy his videos too.