how many of what type of clamp is enough

[Grid Runner Adventures]

going to harborfreight i can get 4inch clamps for 1.99 a peice or i can get pipe clamps for 4.99 and make them for any size.

what do you guys think i should get.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... umber=3813

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=46805

or is there a different type you guys would go with. in any case im thinking at least 2 pipe clamps are needed for the long spans.

the rest is just edge clamping

then there are these

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... umber=6987

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=91838

i'll get 4 pipe clamps for sure
im torn between spring clamps and the racheting 4 inch clamp now.

does anyone have experience with the harborfreight racheting clamps do they strip out or break or do you just have to be easy with them?

[Grid Runner Adventures]

for 50 bucks i can get 15 racheting 4 inch bar clamps and 4 1/2 inch pipe clamps

think that should do it for me?

[Miriam C.]

There is no such thing as enough clamps! ! !

Seriously, buy as you go but have a real good supply and get some sand bags or other heavy stuff. I used water bottles, cases of pop and Mike's weights to keep the sides on the frame. Also had some corner clamps for keeping the cabinet framing square.

Here's my hatch!

[Grid Runner Adventures]

heh we should setup a clamp rental service for the forum. since alot of us will never need this many clamps again .. unless your not strong willed and move onto #2 camper heh

if anyone is interested though let me know i'll set it up

[GreatPumpkin]

going to harborfreight i can get 4inch clamps for 1.99 a peice or i can get pipe clamps for 4.99 and make them for any size.

what do you guys think i should get.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... umber=3813

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=46805

or is there a different type you guys would go with. in any case im thinking at least 2 pipe clamps are needed for the long spans.

the rest is just edge clamping

then there are these

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... umber=6987

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=91838

i'll get 4 pipe clamps for sure
im torn between spring clamps and the racheting 4 inch clamp now.

does anyone have experience with the harborfreight racheting clamps do they strip out or break or do you just have to be easy with them?

I don't know what part of Wisconsin you're in, but here's where all the stores are: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/r ... res.taf#WI

If you're located near one, go in vs. buying online. I haven't seen the 4" ones in the store, but they usually have the 12" ones identical to the ones in your link on sale for $1.99. THey usually have all sizes on sale at the same time. I've got multiple sizes of that style, and they all work great.
The spring clamps http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=39569, you can usually pick up for $0.99 each!

Pipe clamps are heavy duty, and can be more economical for when you need a really long length, but I rarely use mine. They are also heavier and more cumbersome. I do have some of these for my longer clamping: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=92490. Purchased on sale of course!

I think I pick up a couple of clamps just about every visit, as long as they are on sale - which is quite often.

[Nobody]

As Miriam said, YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY CLAMPS...! Buy as many 3" to 6" malleable iron 'C' clamps as you can find/afford. 3 or 4 'bar/pipe' clamps should do for most TD builds & if you use the pipe clamps, a new piece of pipe can make it almost any reasonable length needed. The steel 'spring' clamps are great but the 'poly' ones are almost as good & lots less expensive. You can find them in 'blister' packs of a dozen or more (Usually a variety of sizes) on sale at HF & sometimes Lowes/Home Depot for just a few bucks. I try to never pass up any of those as mine seem to have a bad habit of 'wandering' off frequently. These are the ones I'm speaking of - Don'tcha just love my weight press



HF usually has these for around $5 (16pc set)

[Grid Runner Adventures]

ya i seen those at hf figured there were too many tiny one's for my applications.

for 50 bucks i can get 15 4 inch racheting squeeze clamps and 4 1/2 inch pipe clamps. thinking ill start out with that.

im building my camper with structural insulated panels.

they will be 1/8th inch luan glued to 3/4 inch foil foamboard glued to 1/8th inch luan. with routed channels in the foam and wood strips for all of my anchor points inset before the inside skin is glued on. clamped and let dry

oh also the perimeter of the panels will have a 3/4 inch plywood rib for something solid to screw them together with. then the whole thing will get truck bed liner as the outside skin.

what i need a bit of is weights for the field area of the panels. and clamps for the outer edge.

[aggie79]

what i need a bit of is weights for the field area of the panels. and clamps for the outer edge.

Here's another way to do it for the exterior plywood - with backer boards and screws.



Of course, then you have to fill the screw holes.



You could also use cauls with your pipe clamps to apply pressure along the interior framing.

Tom

[Ageless]

Enough is never enough

[Larwyn]

Here I used about 30 clamps and 10 cauls to glue the plywood skin on the hatch frame. Notice the spring clamps hanging on the tree in the foreground. They were not suitable for this application.

For pipe clamps, I made up four at five feet but only actually ever used three of them. I have several shorter pipe clamps, and some of them were used during the build.

I also used concrete blocks, power tools, tool boxes, fire wood, and even a 110 pound anvil when the need for "gravity clamps" came up.

A Kreg jig can eliminate the need for some of the clamping but you will still find that, like everybody already said, you cannot really ever have too many clamps.

[Grid Runner Adventures]

the only curved part i need to clamp is the roof on this


other then that its just straight side clamping. wich could be done with weights too.

thinking of gettng some materials today to get started.

titebond III and plywood and im going to start making the outer perimiter of my panels laminated.

thinking of using 3/4 inch foamboard so i'll need 3 layers of 1/4 inch plywood to make up the laminates i'll make the sides first and then use them as a form for the top laminates.

[Ageless]

thinking of using 3/4 inch foamboard so i'll need 3 layers of 1/4 inch plywood to make up the laminates i'll make the sides first and then use them as a form for the top laminates.

You'd be better off ripping 3/4 stock from 2x6. 1/4" ply doesn't exist; it's about .040" thinner than 1/4"

[Classic Finn]

:lol: There is no such thing as enough clamps! ! !

Seriously, buy as you go but have a real good supply and get some sand bags or other heavy stuff. I used water bottles, cases of pop and Mike's weights to keep the sides on the frame. Also had some corner clamps for keeping the cabinet framing square.

Here's my hatch!

Yupper, What Auntie M says. Garsh I started with 30. but now I have around 100 in different sizes and I think I still dont have enuff

[Shadow Catcher]

Get creative. I use C clamps for a bunch of stuff. I also use rope (wind it up with a stick) bicycle, car, and truck inner tubes.

[Lou Park]

Do not buy the orange handle ratching clamps from HF, they don't have very strong holding power.