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Pipe Clamps
Pipe clamps have long been popular with woodworkers
because nothing else works as
well when you
need to clamp over long distances
(like holding
the opposite sides of a bookcase
together).
The beauty of these clamps is
that they can
be as long as you want because
you supply
your own standard iron pipe to
serve as the
back bone of the clamp. If you
want a two
foot clamp, use a two foot pipe.
If you want
a six foot pipe, switch the clamp’s
removable
iron fittings to a six foot pipe.
Moreover,
you can go from longer to shorter
without
changing pipes because the non-screwing
clamp
head slides along the pipe and
locks in place
wherever you choose. Pipe clamps
are available
to match two standard sizes of
iron pipe,
for 3/4 inch pipe and for 1/2
inch pipe.
For the average homeowner, the
smaller size
provides ample holding power.
Clamps with any major amount
squeezing force
are likely to mar the project
surfaces when
they are tightened. The most
significant
factor is the size of the clamp
pads, with
larger pads spreading the crushing
force
over a wider surface area. Almost
invariably
you will need to use scraps of
wood between
the work piece and the clamp
to distribute
the clamping force, so don’t
overestimate
the significant of whether the
clamp you
are buying comes with rubber
or nylon pad
covers. |
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