Cam Clamps Again?

After looking for a better bridge clamping device for ukuleles, I figured cam clamps might be useful. The clamp needs a ~4” throat, and the sound holes are pretty small for store-bought clamps. After looking at YouTube videos, a web search turned up a magazine article from FineWoodworking with some fairly detailed plans. The plans called for 1/8” “roll pins” (aka tension pins) and 1” aluminum bar.

A box of (35) 1/8” x 3/4” tension pins for <$10, and (6) 1/8” x 1” x 14” aluminum bars for $20 were found online. So $30 and some Iroko cutoffs was enough to make six clamps. I built two with a 4” throat and four with a 5” throat.

Plans were useful but left some room for interpretation and adjustment. Check out How to Make Inexpensive Cam Clamps Handy, light-duty clamps are quick to make – Includes a downloadable PDF. Or click the link below.

https://www.finewoodworking.com/2018/11/05/272-shopmade-cam-clamps

PS I might drill a hole in the end of the aluminum bar and hang them stacked up on a dowel rod.