Parallel Clamp

beautiful work. I need one with a nice long reach like that.

Thans Pax

It's not actually that long a reach - 6 inches.
It's built to munchkin dimensions as a test, screw threads are 1/2 inch.

Really nice bench BTW, dead jealous.

That looks good, and those are always handy in the shop.

Handscrews are some of my favorite clamps, but I find myself reaching for the plastic and metal ones I can operate one-handed pretty often.

In any case, nice work!

Cheers Eric

It was a fun build, I may actually end up at the mythical point where I have too many clamps.

Thanks Dave

I've found I go for the handscrews more the more I use them, although speed clamps are damn handy for one handed use, I'm about 30/30 for anything to clamp to the bench (the other 40 is a holdfast), but for clamping a box together parallel clamps are generally too short so plastic and metal for that.
I keep meaning to make a wooden bar clamp, but everytime I start designing one I get sidetracked thinking how I can build it into the bench instead.

I find handscrews hold better than plastic ones, well possibly not this one - not convinced about the flex in the willow, but generally. I'm aiming toward a design for a 3 axis carving vice - given I'm thinking the vice plan and haven't had a decent go with those beavercraft knives I got probably means carving is not for me, but it'll at least come in handy for the rasps.

I may have spent more time than is sensible spinning parallel clamps to see if I can get within a 1/32th of the width I need to clamp, sort of a low-tech arcade game type of thing.

OK, this is bugging me, it's all made out of the same chunk of wood and these pictures are taken a couple of minutes apart, how do they look different colours?

ive got a couple but rarely use em.maybe i need to give them more thought.thats some real nice work mike.ill take 8 !!!!

Looks great and am sure will be quite useful.

OK, this is bugging me, it's all made out of the same chunk of wood and these pictures are taken a couple of minutes apart, how do they look different colours?

Click to expand...

Different amounts of time for the oil to soak in, maybe? That's all I can come up with at the moment, but I was sitting out in the 90F (32C) weather all day trying to sell some of our junk at a garage sale, so I'm feeling kinda fuzzy.

I hardly ever actually clamp anything in them, but use them every day a number of times when in the shop. Looks like yours will get it done Mike, nice work.

pottz - cheers, when you get the hang of adjusting them they are a great clamp style

swirt - cheers mate

Dave - I had another look this morning, turns out the wood just catches the light really differently depending on orientation, quite a cool effect, might have to think of a way to use it.

Steve - I'm kind of afraid to ask, but what do you use them for then?

Neat, Mike! Kind of like a chatoyance. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for using it.

I love them and the blog too.
Best thoughts,
Mads