| Project by oldnovice | posted 05-18-2013 07:32 AM | 33170 views | 75 times favorited | 31 comments |  |
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I made this version of a wooden Kant Twist clamp because Lumberjoe mentioned it which I thought this might be an interesting project. I was able to find complete dimensional drawings online which made it easy to create the 3D CAD model and have it generate the 2D prints for the four arms of the clamp.
My version was made with 1/4” Baltic birch Braces, 5/16” oak dowels for Pins, poplar Handle, laminated Baltic birch Grips, brass Hinges, 1/4” X 20 threaded Shaft, 1/4” X 20 grip bolts/nuts, and a 4×40 setscrew (the Kant Twist terminology in italics).
The Baltic birch Braces have three coats of Deft lacquer, the oak dowels were dyed black and also finished with Deft, while the handle was dyed black and finished with three coats of Zinsser shellac. A 4X40 set screw was used to secure the threaded poplar Handle to the screw Shaft. The entire assembly is press fit together and the button head Allen cap screws hold the Grips.
Testing was done is a less than scientific manner by clamping a bathroom scale. I cranked the handle until the scale read 100 pounds and stopped there as I did not want to reach destructive testing level.
Fun project in that I now have another clamp and as any woodworker knows, you can never have enough clamps!
The following links are for the dimensional drawings I found on line, and link to a folder with more descriptive text of this project, more photographs (5 in total) and two 3D CAD images of the clamp models, and my 2D part prints of this assembly that anyone can use to make their own version(s).
Web page of Kant Twist dimensional drawing
URL for more of my work on this project
After I completed the assembly and was reviewing the part prints I noticed that I had misinterpreted the web sourced drawings. The smaller leg of Brace A does not have parallel sides so I updated the CAD model, so that anyone can use without the error, but not update the assembled project.
Thanks for looking at this project!
-- "I never met a board I didn't like!"
31 comments so far
DeLayne Peck
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#1 posted 05-18-2013 07:48 AM
Hans, wow! Really interesting project and a great result. Obviously called on your professional background. I will always envy your CAD expertise.
-- DJ Peck, Lincoln Nebraska. Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
stefang
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#2 posted 05-18-2013 08:53 AM
Great work! You got a fantastic result with this clamp and it looks really good too.
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
waleedwaheed2013
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#3 posted 05-18-2013 10:42 AM
Easy Micanical And nice idea good work
-- Waleed Waheed
JoeinGa
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#4 posted 05-18-2013 10:52 AM
From the pix it seems so simple, but for someone with no machinist’s background (me) it might be a bit intimidating till I get the hang of it.
Did you use brass for the parts the threaded rod goes thru? And how are they held into the frame sides?
Also do the blocks (jaws) actually spin freely?
Thanks
Nice clamp!
-- Perform A Random Act Of Kindness Today ... Pay It Forward
ldl
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#5 posted 05-18-2013 12:13 PM
Neat clamps.
The PDF files in your URL didn’t werk for me. Said an error accured. I will try later.
-- Dewayne in Bainbridge, Ga. - - No one can make you mad. Only you decide when you get mad - -
toyguy
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#6 posted 05-18-2013 12:45 PM
nice little clamp.. I can see some use for this one.
-- Brian, Ontario Canada,
sgmdwk
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#7 posted 05-18-2013 01:03 PM
This is just too cool! I love this thing.
-- Dave K.
sras
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#8 posted 05-18-2013 01:20 PM
Nice work! Powerful AND Good Looking!
-- Steve - Impatience is Expensive
HillbillyShooter
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#9 posted 05-18-2013 01:36 PM
Very interesting project—thanks for posting this cool work.
-- John C. -- "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." George Washington
muleskinner
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#10 posted 05-18-2013 02:14 PM
Hans, another fine piece of German engineering and precision. :)
-- Visualize whirled peas
love2cad
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#11 posted 05-18-2013 02:56 PM
Very nice indeed!! Well done.
-- Bobby
a1Jim
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#12 posted 05-18-2013 03:09 PM
Very slick great job.
oldnovice
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#13 posted 05-18-2013 03:20 PM
joein10asee it just looks intimidating but once you get the piece in your hands you will see it is really very simple to make, put together, and use.
I used brass rod that I threaded 1/4”x20 for the threaded rod that opens and closes the clamp and the brass rod just sits in pockets on both sides of the clamp. I actually wanted to used steel cross dowels but I would have had to buy some. Use the URL and look at the drawings that show the pockets.
Yes the jaws rotate freely and I held them in place with a machine screw so I can replace them if needed. On a real Kant Twist the jaws, grips, have V grooves for grabbing round items.
-- "I never met a board I didn't like!"
waho6o9
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#14 posted 05-18-2013 04:06 PM
Most excellent clamp, thanks for posting.
BBF
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#15 posted 05-18-2013 05:34 PM
Nicely done I have several of these in different sizes in my shop however mine are all steel. It would be interesting to do a destructive test on one just to see how much force you can apply.
-- I've never been disappointed buying quality but I have been disappointed buying good enough.
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