Hi Folks! There are a number of ways to make handscrew clamps and it's a fun project to do at least once. Depending on where you are and availability, should you buy it or build it? My answer, ultimately, involves a bit of both.
By far this is the best video I've seen on making these kind of clamps , all the other videos non of them mentioned the reverse threads so I made my own then discovered that they don't work as they should , thank you for clarifying this ,you are 100% right , it's all about the hardware , not the wood.
Nicely done Eric i liked the glued in nut instead of ordering Barrel Bolts IMO the cost savings is worth it although i do always look at yard sales and Flea Markets and buy any clamps i can find as cheaply as i can i guess you can call me a clamp Hoarder but no Woodworker i know has ever said i have too many Clamps LOL as i’ve often found myself using all i do have on various projects
to make the handles, you can drill a smaller hole in the handle, then use a couple of nuts on a threaded rod to screw in the rod. The rod should be about an inch and a half longer than the hole in the handle. Then remove the nuts and you can chuck it in a drill press. Use a sanding flap wheel on an angle grinder or drill to rough the shape of the handle. Once you've got the basic shape, use finer sandpaper to smooth it. Then you can drill the larger size hole for the vise threaded rod.
Most of my hand screw clamps were bought on sale. Rockler has their clamps on sale several times a year. They usually place only one size at a time on sale.
@Barry Allin They are overpriced on Amazon here as well. I buy them from a local tool store where they are a reasonable price $7 - $18 depending on size. For the UK, you could try this shop: bit.ly/2HkRqZD
As always good build and excellent that you looked at why you shouldn't why you should build them. Sometimes it is just better to go out and spend a few dollars.
Thanks Michigan Hiker! I think I'd rather purchase the clamps with the right hardware and do a restoration project down the road when the wood gets worn out.
Thanks for making this video. Totally get your point about the cost when you factor in your own time as well as materials, but I came looking for something like this as over here in the UK, these sort of clamps are either hard to come by or crazy expensive. Just a couple of thoughts and questions - I found cheap hardware by searching for "cross dowel threaded barrel nuts" which are commonly used in furniture construction which would be ideal. Also, can’t you solve the opposing threads issue by just orienting your threaded rods with the threads running in opposite directions, or have I misunderstood the issue? I was thinking that you could also use the same hardware to swap between different length blocks if you need clamps with different jaw lengths occasionally (if the hardware is relatively expensive), especially as the dowel nuts I mentioned will easily pop in and out, provided the threaded rods are long enough for your needs. Thanks again for doing this 👍
Thanks Stephen! It might work with the barrel nuts, however it needs to thread through two sets in opposing directions. I've never tried it because just one set of barrel nuts & bolts can cost as much as $11 here, which is the same price as buying the clamps. Lee Valley tools sells hand screw kits online, which will give you the exact hardware you need: bit.ly/36zbylI
I too did the research between homemade, store bought, or homemade with hardware kit, got bored and went on to the next project that I may or may not have completed. Actually, I came to the same conclusion...a cheap set will be good enough, especially if you tend to use them, and not just for fancy bookends.
Harbor Freight has them for about the same amount. I will use my time wisely and accomplish something with the store bought clamps. It will take you about 1 1/2 hours to start to finish one of these (if you have the parts on hand) is your time worth less than 5 bucks an hour?
I agree with you if you are in the US or Canada, where I live you cannot find this clamps on the hardware stores (almost only C clamps are available) here a 4' threaded rod cost like $3 and just pennies for the nuts so spend a couple hour making some in case of need is cheaper and faster, order some will take at least a month to get them. in any case is a good excercise to do a couple.
really good way of presenting this idea. Ya never know what sites show how to. I already subbed but now I rang the bell. Looking for vid on your jointer and how you made it. Thank you
@dave Thanks! Not everyone remembers to hit the notification bell, but then, sometimes the bell doesn't work. Cheers 🙂 Jointer build is here: ruclips.net/video/YOROlmd0Zn8/видео.html
Great video Eric. I am not a big fan of those clamps but the ones that I do have I purchased. I can think of way better things to spend the time making............. :)
Thanks Steve! Yes, I'm the same, I mostly use my quick grip clamps and bar clamps but the Jorgensen hand screw clamps are what I grew up with ( as with most woodworkers over 45 ) . I like to use them occasionally for router and drill press operations.
Thanks. I have wondered about the feasibility of making these. Also couldn't you just buy reverse thread rod and nuts? I don't know how much more expensive that would be.
Muadibe, Gorilla glue accelerates with water because of this don’t get it on your Skin/hands; your skin will turn black... Wear gloves if possible... Greg
Not bad! And their smaller sized clamps are even a a better deal - so you can't really go wrong at that price. I might just take a trip down to Bellingham WA and do some shopping myself 😀
I live close to a HF store so it’s easy to drop by with a 20 off coupon in my daily routine so I’ve picked up a couple 12” sets for $8 each that winds in the traditional manner. You almost cant make them for that and they are a well made option even at 3x the price. I just touched up a couple sharp corners with sandpaper and rubbed a little wax on them to keep the glue off. Cha-ching!
For sure you can do that but it may be difficult to find them large enough to accept a 1/2" threaded rod. I couldn't find any at a reasonable price. You still won't get the reverse threads needed for the factory action though.
When I find them, they are in the "currently unavailable" category on Amazon. There are specialty hardware dealers who carry them and they all charge for shipping. By the time you've hunted down all the hardware and had it shipped, you end up with some very expensive hand screw clamps. Nothing wrong with that, if you like the personal challenge of building your own, I guess.
I see your dilemma Eric. There are a few suppliers near me, so I typically pick them up. The left hand threads are expensive, as they are not a typical seller. And delivery could increase due to packaging lengths. Do the Jorgensen screw clamps have ACME threads? Or common threads as in the all-thread? It has been I while since I have used a Jorgensen clamp.
If you have a store bought set, regardless of brand, you can compare the hardware. The hardware really is what was patented originally. The opposing threads are only one part of it. Lee Valley has the complete hardware kits but as I said in the video, they cost as much (for me) as buying the retail clamps at the tools store. www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=69826&cat=1,43838,47843
Hi Folks! There are a number of ways to make handscrew clamps and it's a fun project to do at least once. Depending on where you are and availability, should you buy it or build it? My answer, ultimately, involves a bit of both.
By far this is the best video I've seen on making these kind of clamps , all the other videos non of them mentioned the reverse threads so I made my own then discovered that they don't work as they should , thank you for clarifying this ,you are 100% right , it's all about the hardware , not the wood.
Retail ones have threads that switch direction half way through each rod. That is the main design feature.
Nicely done Eric i liked the glued in nut instead of ordering Barrel Bolts IMO the cost savings is worth it although i do always look at yard sales and Flea Markets and buy any clamps i can find as cheaply as i can i guess you can call me a clamp Hoarder but no Woodworker i know has ever said i have too many Clamps LOL as i’ve often found myself using all i do have on various projects
to make the handles, you can drill a smaller hole in the handle, then use a couple of nuts on a threaded rod to screw in the rod. The rod should be about an inch and a half longer than the hole in the handle. Then remove the nuts and you can chuck it in a drill press. Use a sanding flap wheel on an angle grinder or drill to rough the shape of the handle. Once you've got the basic shape, use finer sandpaper to smooth it. Then you can drill the larger size hole for the vise threaded rod.
Most of my hand screw clamps were bought on sale. Rockler has their clamps on sale several times a year. They usually place only one size at a time on sale.
It's ok for you in US, here in UK I checked Amazon, and they range from $28 to $42!, so it makes much more sense to make them to your pattern.
@Barry Allin They are overpriced on Amazon here as well. I buy them from a local tool store where they are a reasonable price $7 - $18 depending on size. For the UK, you could try this shop: bit.ly/2HkRqZD
Well done, Eric. Thanks.
Thanks Harry! Cheers 🙂
As always good build and excellent that you looked at why you shouldn't why you should build them. Sometimes it is just better to go out and spend a few dollars.
Thanks Michigan Hiker! I think I'd rather purchase the clamps with the right hardware and do a restoration project down the road when the wood gets worn out.
That was a fast spider at 9:20...had to replay lol great project and easy.!
*Very good tools and work*
Thanks Pietro! Cheers 🙂
Thanks for making this video. Totally get your point about the cost when you factor in your own time as well as materials, but I came looking for something like this as over here in the UK, these sort of clamps are either hard to come by or crazy expensive. Just a couple of thoughts and questions - I found cheap hardware by searching for "cross dowel threaded barrel nuts" which are commonly used in furniture construction which would be ideal. Also, can’t you solve the opposing threads issue by just orienting your threaded rods with the threads running in opposite directions, or have I misunderstood the issue?
I was thinking that you could also use the same hardware to swap between different length blocks if you need clamps with different jaw lengths occasionally (if the hardware is relatively expensive), especially as the dowel nuts I mentioned will easily pop in and out, provided the threaded rods are long enough for your needs. Thanks again for doing this 👍
Thanks Stephen! It might work with the barrel nuts, however it needs to thread through two sets in opposing directions. I've never tried it because just one set of barrel nuts & bolts can cost as much as $11 here, which is the same price as buying the clamps. Lee Valley tools sells hand screw kits online, which will give you the exact hardware you need: bit.ly/36zbylI
Turnbuckles have both left and right hand threads.
Great job 👏👏
Good video. Makes sense.
This gave me an idea on how to do something different. Thanks. Liked & subscribed. 👍🇨🇦👍
Muito bom, inteligente.
Do you have seen the little spider at : 03:36 ?!!
Harbor Freight - 12" 60551 $11, 10" 60549 $8, 8" 60550 $7
If you get on Rockler`s mailing list, they usually have the different sized for $9.99
I too did the research between homemade, store bought, or homemade with hardware kit, got bored and went on to the next project that I may or may not have completed. Actually, I came to the same conclusion...a cheap set will be good enough, especially if you tend to use them, and not just for fancy bookends.
I might try this with plywood glued up
Plywood would work really well. It's fun to try it as a shop project at least once 🙂
Harbor Freight has them for about the same amount. I will use my time wisely and accomplish something with the store bought clamps. It will take you about 1 1/2 hours to start to finish one of these (if you have the parts on hand) is your time worth less than 5 bucks an hour?
Exactly! The only reason you would want to build your own is for the personal challenge of doing it. It is definitely not a money or time saver.
I agree with you if you are in the US or Canada, where I live you cannot find this clamps on the hardware stores (almost only C clamps are available) here a 4' threaded rod cost like $3 and just pennies for the nuts so spend a couple hour making some in case of need is cheaper and faster, order some will take at least a month to get them. in any case is a good excercise to do a couple.
really good way of presenting this idea. Ya never know what sites show how to. I already subbed but now I rang the bell. Looking for vid on your jointer and how you made it. Thank you
@dave Thanks! Not everyone remembers to hit the notification bell, but then, sometimes the bell doesn't work. Cheers 🙂 Jointer build is here: ruclips.net/video/YOROlmd0Zn8/видео.html
Great video Eric. I am not a big fan of those clamps but the ones that I do have I purchased. I can think of way better things to spend the time making............. :)
Thanks Steve! Yes, I'm the same, I mostly use my quick grip clamps and bar clamps but the Jorgensen hand screw clamps are what I grew up with ( as with most woodworkers over 45 ) . I like to use them occasionally for router and drill press operations.
Thanks. I have wondered about the feasibility of making these. Also couldn't you just buy reverse thread rod and nuts? I don't know how much more expensive that would be.
@weldabar You can buy the hardware kits at Lee Valley Online. For me at least, the kit cost more than buying the clamps at a local hardware store.
CA glue is good for that kind of job too.
good vid,like you say sometimes you may just as well go buy them as not to costly
At the risk of sounding 'Thick' I have never used Gorilla glue, why did you spray on water before applying it?
Muadibe, Gorilla glue accelerates with water because of this don’t get it on your Skin/hands; your skin will turn black... Wear gloves if possible... Greg
Yep just checked, $10.99 at Harbor Freight and that's without using their 20% off coupon.
Not bad! And their smaller sized clamps are even a a better deal - so you can't really go wrong at that price. I might just take a trip down to Bellingham WA and do some shopping myself 😀
I live close to a HF store so it’s easy to drop by with a 20 off coupon in my daily routine so I’ve picked up a couple 12” sets for $8 each that winds in the traditional manner. You almost cant make them for that and they are a well made option even at 3x the price. I just touched up a couple sharp corners with sandpaper and rubbed a little wax on them to keep the glue off. Cha-ching!
Try making a quick release version using a split bolt
Or buy them for $6 at harbor freight
Instead using nut .dowel pin nut you get easily .you can make same like factory made in your workshop
For sure you can do that but it may be difficult to find them large enough to accept a 1/2" threaded rod. I couldn't find any at a reasonable price. You still won't get the reverse threads needed for the factory action though.
Simple design. Google “reverse threaded rod”. There are options up to 1-1/2” diameter
When I find them, they are in the "currently unavailable" category on Amazon. There are specialty hardware dealers who carry them and they all charge for shipping. By the time you've hunted down all the hardware and had it shipped, you end up with some very expensive hand screw clamps. Nothing wrong with that, if you like the personal challenge of building your own, I guess.
I see your dilemma Eric. There are a few suppliers near me, so I typically pick them up. The left hand threads are expensive, as they are not a typical seller. And delivery could increase due to packaging lengths.
Do the Jorgensen screw clamps have ACME threads? Or common threads as in the all-thread?
It has been I while since I have used a Jorgensen clamp.
If you have a store bought set, regardless of brand, you can compare the hardware. The hardware really is what was patented originally. The opposing threads are only one part of it. Lee Valley has the complete hardware kits but as I said in the video, they cost as much (for me) as buying the retail clamps at the tools store. www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=69826&cat=1,43838,47843