Long reach cam clamps

[Christophe Mineau]

Here is a couple of homemade cam clamps

I had an ugly, really bad quality big pump clamp from the far east, you know the kind of tool you want to through away every time you use it.
So I ended up hack sawing the bar (the only thing good in that clamp) in two pieces, and making these two rather large cam clamps, with firewood.
Firewood (ash or similar) is often not very dry, has often lots of cracks, but has the quality to be perfectly quater sawn (at least you arrange to use it that way).
So, not a piece of art, but pretty strong and quite efficient for reaching the middle of a plate for instance.

The design is pretty classic, but I did two things differently : there is no head, no foot, both pieces can slide along the bar and you can use it cam on top or cam under.
The axis for the cam is a 8mm round aluminium. It's always more precise and strong to use a large axis than simply a pin.

[kbalch]

Thanks Christophe! I've added your Long Reach Cam Clamps to our Clamps category, as well as to your builder page: Christophe Mineau's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Long Reach Cam Clamps by Christophe Mineau

tags: clamp, cam

[jere]

Interesting variation rather than the screw clamp style. Are you using this clamp for general purposes or production style work?

[DIYer]

I can't see your pictures at the moment Christophe. But Ken's post shows the interesting variation you built into it.

[Christophe Mineau]

Hi DIYer,
really, is it still true ?
They are located in the exact same folder as all the pictures I post, on my Website, strange you don't see only these pictures ?
Maybe have you changed your IP and you get blamed by my very selective anti spam filter ?
You can give me your IP in a PM, I will check
Sorry for that !
Christophe

[Christophe Mineau]

Hi Jere,
I don't do production, I'm an humble hobbyist
These kind of clamps are quite popular in woodworkers shops, but they are particularly appreciated by the luthiers.
Christophe

[Mark Fogleman]

This is an excellent way to make lemonade from a Lemon!

Two questions please...
Are you depending on the ratchet edge of the bar to hold the clamp sides steady?
What did you use for the pins that engage the bar?

A+

Mark

[Christophe Mineau]

Hi Mark,
No I think, even if it was a smooth bar, the clamp would work, lot of people make them with simple steel bars.
The pins just strengthen the mortise, they are tempered concrete nails.
A++
Christophe

[DIYer]

Hi DIYer,
really, is it still true ?
They are located in the exact same folder as all the pictures I post, on my Website, strange you don't see only these pictures ?
Maybe have you changed your IP and you get blamed by my very selective anti spam filter ?
You can give me your IP in a PM, I will check
Sorry for that !
Christophe

All good now, Christophe. Thanks for the offer to look into it though.

[Paul Jones]

Christophe,

These are really nice and practical clamps. Question: what type of saw did you use to cut the very thin opening that terminates at the drilled hole? Also, how thick was the saw blade?

Thank you for the photos,
Paul