Early Access Video: Stop Buying Clamps!
Added 2021-04-10 11:00:03 +0000 UTCFriends:
They say a woodworker can't own enough clamps, but is that really true? Could we maybe do great work without constantly hoarding expensive and bulky clamps? (Spoiler: the answer is yes.)
Let's look at some ways to approach the craft that take fewer clamps or possibly none at all.
Enjoy your weekend!
--Rex
Comments
Wash your mouth out with soap, glrider! Dovetails and mortise-and-tenon joints hold together much better than miters with glue, and they last longer, too.
Paul Howard
2021-05-04 21:32:17 +0000 UTCThis revelation at how few clamps you can get away with makes my wallet happy, but my tool supplier unhappy.
Martin Hartley
2021-04-18 09:08:19 +0000 UTCRex, great content. Just to throw in my opinion. In today's power tool world, it's easy to cut and prepare a lot of parts in a short time. Need to make 20 drawers for a set of kitchen cabinet? You can ripe them out on a table say and miter saw in 20-30 minutes. Now you need lots and lots of clamps to clamp them all together for the glue-up. But, if the pace of part preparation were much slower, like the Dominy's, then the number of clamps needed at any single time is much lower. Of course, the use of the joinery you mentioned obviously lowers the need as well. So you're not wrong there. But it is something to consider. Finally, consider the evolution of the hand plane. Clamps were hard to come by, so joinery needed to be self-clamping like you described. But, just like the hand plane evolved from a rarity, to a commodity, the clamp has also evolved. So now, instead of doing the joinery you described to avoid using clamps, a woodworker could work faster, with simpler techniques, and rely on glue and clamps to save time and effort.
glrider
2021-04-15 22:16:37 +0000 UTCThanks. Not sure if that accounts for it, but I'll click the next one as soon as I get the email so that I can be certain of when it's happening.
Brenton
2021-04-14 16:21:46 +0000 UTCYou can watch them early up until about 24 hours before it's set to premiere, then they're locked from all viewing. He usually releases his videos to Patreon members at the end of the week (Saturday), so you have from Saturday until Tuesday to watch them early. If you miss that, you just have to wait another day until it premiers on Wednesday. I'm not sure why YouTube does it that way, but I don't think it's any settings that Rex has control over.
Jake Cotumaccio
2021-04-14 13:42:51 +0000 UTCI am unable to watch this video as well.
Henrik Thomsen
2021-04-14 11:22:55 +0000 UTCI don't know why Rex's Early Access videos don't play for me. Don' t play when I click them in the email notice. Here I logged into Patreon, and still, no joy. :-( Anyone else having a problem?
Brenton
2021-04-14 04:27:09 +0000 UTCNow you tell me! ;) I have over 100 clamps and I need them all...but not for joints. One difference from now to the Dominy shop is the dimensions of materials available. Very long, very wide and/or very thick stock was much more readily available then. These days we more often need to combine pieces to make them larger in one way or another, and that's what my clamps are for. If I need a 4" x 4" piece of walnut stock for making beefy legs I'm going to be gluing up 4 pieces of 1" x 4" walnut pieces, a job that even a panel wedge clamp setup cannot address.
Kevin Wixson
2021-04-14 00:39:35 +0000 UTCI was just re-watching the leg vice build and I noticed a large number of clamps were used to clamp up the stair treads for the chop. For something like this, I might use screws in lieu of clamps which could then be removed later (or not), but if you needed to laminate boards to make a thicker one and didn't want to mar the surface, would using just weights suffice? The $30 workbench is a similar glue-up, with boards glued on their faces, but weights would be hard to use here. Even with clamping cauls, you would need more than 2 clamps for such a job, wouldn't you? BTW, at the risk of stating what people already know, in lieu of an anvil, a bucket filled with dirt or concrete (either mixed or even still in the bag) could be used as a weight.
Robert Dennett
2021-04-13 14:20:29 +0000 UTCRex, I was thinking about your statement about the Dominy shop in Long Island. Is it possible that they did not need so many clamps because they used hide glue and hide glue hardens very quickly. The parts that were being glued together could have been held in your hands or the vise for the short time needed.
Thom Edds
2021-04-12 21:03:58 +0000 UTCThose metal squeeze clamps also make great hand strength builders. Keep them in the home gym, move them to the shop when necessary
Matthew Leigh
2021-04-12 15:04:29 +0000 UTCMan, those quotes from Paul are PERFECT. Ever the master.
Rex Krueger
2021-04-12 11:38:35 +0000 UTCI agree, but they aren't really clamps in the sense I intend; more like workholding. But I do take your point.
Rex Krueger
2021-04-12 11:38:01 +0000 UTCI really wanted to cover hide glue, but I'm not experienced with it!
Rex Krueger
2021-04-12 11:35:56 +0000 UTCThat's another big thing about gluing assemblies: it's SO STRESSFUL. When you can take it a little at a time, you just mellow out.
Rex Krueger
2021-04-12 11:35:36 +0000 UTCThat is a "book-binder's clamp" very likely the forerunner of the Moxon vice. A few 18th century tool dealers advertised them to woodworkers, so one would assume joiners were using them to clamp stuff and dovetail boards.
Rex Krueger
2021-04-12 11:28:54 +0000 UTCHonestly, all the REAL knowledge about the craft is in books. Videos are a great way to share some things, but we must read.
Rex Krueger
2021-04-12 11:26:34 +0000 UTCLovely video once more. Thank you. I have a couple of bar clamps that have a kind of "squeeze the handle" action to tighten them. I don't feel they work too well, it seems difficult to get them tight enough.. I will go look for some of the F Clamps. I think the screw action would get better pressure. Thanks again. Oh, and by the way, your workspace is bigger than my cottage. :)
chris wood
2021-04-11 11:09:17 +0000 UTCSaitama: One Clamp Man!
Will Clevett
2021-04-11 07:45:43 +0000 UTCThanks Rex! I’m just starting to kit out a small garage shop. The only power tools I have are a jig saw that was bought to save my shoulders from a tough job a while back, drill and a driver, and a dremel for power carving of spoons and such. I just sharpened and tuned up my first plane 4 ½ bench dog, have a small collection of knives, gouges and chisels, and a new workspace after we cleaned out and organized the garage. After that second shot happens, I’ve marked the date to go get some non carving wood. I need to build a few things :-)
Jeanine Hoffman
2021-04-11 03:56:50 +0000 UTCLoving this! It would be great to know how to make some of the clamps, but I'm excited at the idea of refining my skills enough to use pressure from the piece to hold in the glue.
Alec
2021-04-11 02:48:05 +0000 UTCI think this video is a great wake up call, we have relied on mechanical things for so long we don't think of other ways to get things done just as well without all that gear. well done Rex.
Brian Shaw
2021-04-11 01:41:05 +0000 UTCwe need a clamp making vid!!!!!! would be so much fun!
Jared Leff
2021-04-11 00:48:46 +0000 UTCYou add a lot of value to my life, in multidimensional ways, thank you.
Sam
2021-04-10 23:26:53 +0000 UTCAs a part time wood worker and part time skiff builder, I find I have the best of both worlds. You definitely can't have enough clamps for skiff building so I can buy clamps and use the skiff as an excuse then sneak over and borrow clamps for my woodworking. I have been getting a little carried away though and this is a great wake up call. Thank you Rex for all you do. Now to get busy on my fish-head marking gauge.
Matt Evans-Koch
2021-04-10 21:21:22 +0000 UTCRe: wedges. The avaiable force is only limited by the shear strength of the materials involved. Re: clamp alternatives. I started using a "go-bar deck" a couple of years ago as an alternative to clamps for attaching the soundboards of acoustic harps and guitars. I find it can be useful in other situations as well, such as gluing on the back of a small cabinet. You can buy fiberglass rods but I]ve done fine with pine or oak laths.
Fred Gosbee
2021-04-10 19:52:15 +0000 UTC“I’m an American, we love it when things are huge.” So true. Thanks for another great video, Rex.
Robert Bosworth
2021-04-10 19:39:06 +0000 UTCThanks for another excellent video, Rex. I'm one of those people who love your philosophical chats :) This reminds me of some comments by Paul Sellers in a blog post from a few years ago: https://paulsellers.com/2015/07/wedged-and-pegged-tenons/ > "We must remember that wedges were not so much used only to retain a tenon but more to free up clamps that were still at a premium because in the early days they were scarce and expensive." > "...the wedges were driven after clamping so that clamps could be moved to the next window frame, sash or door before the glue set up. That way they weren’t tied up for hours..."
Mark Thornton
2021-04-10 18:52:26 +0000 UTCCan be done with liquid hide glue as well.
Tom Manseau
2021-04-10 16:49:30 +0000 UTCThanks for the timely advice. I have been eyeing some more, and thinking about making my own. I think I will try a little harder to learn other methods. I don't see holdfasts mentioned, I am very dependent on those and won't give them up. Mike Siemsen is a good resource for benchtop clamping (I know you know about him) Just making a reference for others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvhn-PAfEW4
Michael Ross
2021-04-10 16:38:45 +0000 UTCFANTASTIC! Inability to afford clamps held me back for years. Perhaps for a follow up video you could describe Roubo’s panel clamping station: http://donsbarn.com/roubos-panel-clamps/ Its very similar to what you used on your bench, but it’s freestanding so one can keep using the bench.
Mark H
2021-04-10 16:24:55 +0000 UTCgreat job Rex, and your philosophy is great, down to earth and totally relateable
Paul Mouradian
2021-04-10 16:14:20 +0000 UTCI didn't see the link to Steve Ramsey clamp video in the show notes but I think the video he called out is here: https://youtu.be/ArRlYosuOdk
Stuart
2021-04-10 15:57:32 +0000 UTCMan, could you not have posted this video like an hour earlier? I JUST returned from an early morning swapmeet where I picked up 12 Irwin quick-release clamps! Ha! I don’t think I can return them. lol Anyway, your video—par excellence, as always—was obviously good for me to hear, b/c I use clamps a lot in my work. You’re the best, Rex!
Russell Gough
2021-04-10 15:42:37 +0000 UTCI just did drawbore tenons on a desk I’m building and it was amazing that the whole frame came together without any clamps. Another huge benefit was that I wasn’t stressed out about open time for the glue and I was able to glue the frame together over a couple nights since I could do one joint at a time!
Spencer Salmon
2021-04-10 15:10:55 +0000 UTCFun stuff. I love figuring out how to do with less, a lot less. I’ve discovered most of what you suggest. I do use my twin screw clamps a fair bit, I also use my bench and wedges a lot. I have 4 pipe clamps, 4ft each which I use when I can’t use my bench. I have a couple F clamps that I use when I need an extra hand just to hold things during assembly. The biggest thing I’ve discovered is hoof and hide glue. First time I used it I was sold. It sets up pretty quick, and holds. I don’t even use any clamps for panel glue ups anymore, the glue is more than enough. Thanks again for the great video.
William Allen
2021-04-10 15:03:59 +0000 UTCLike that you push “smaller could be better”. Ties in nicely with recent anti-GAS sentiment in other vids. Thanks again for all your hard work.
Sean McGown
2021-04-10 14:20:29 +0000 UTCYou know what's most disappointing about your video...the end. I always ending up saying awww it's over, now I have to wait a whole week for another one. You are an inspiration to those of us who don't have the money but want to enjoy the craft. I whole heartedly agree with your philosophy even though I sneak in a few power tools now and then. Oh and now I can say I HAVE ENOUGH CLAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Hiemstra
2021-04-10 14:06:30 +0000 UTCIf you use hot hide glue, rubbed joints can be a fantastic alternative to clamps depending on what you're doing.
Nuiosach
2021-04-10 13:49:30 +0000 UTCThanks for another great video, Rex. I’ve been wondering for a while now about something I’ve noticed clamped to one of the support joists holding up your tool wall there in the background. It’s in the lower left corner for us viewers. Is that a Moxon Vice you’ve got there?
Sean O'Neill
2021-04-10 13:41:55 +0000 UTCRex, you have the most interesting woodworking channel on YouTube! Love this stuff.
Bill Smithem
2021-04-10 13:32:56 +0000 UTCGreat...I just bought a set of 3/4" pipe clamps. Thanks Rex :)
Kevin S Thomas
2021-04-10 13:13:00 +0000 UTCI like the idea of viewing the screw clamps as vises. I don't use mine nearly enough. The off-set pegged mortise and tenon is also something I need to try.
Robert A Carbo
2021-04-10 12:56:39 +0000 UTClol - love the into. Oh - the whole video was great too!
Rick Prosser
2021-04-10 12:42:21 +0000 UTCAnother hit video. Always great to see another way to keep woodworking simple.
Jason Ransom
2021-04-10 12:42:00 +0000 UTCBTW, I like listening a lot more than reading. Would you make audio versions of your Fab First newsletter? ^^
Daniel Bohrer
2021-04-10 12:18:12 +0000 UTCGreat video, and a great perspective on what we really need (as opposed to what we really really want). My favorite brand of pipe clamp is Bessey. They have better feet and stand up better on the bench than the Pony Jorgensen (unless you pony up for the 'professional' grade). For the wedge clamping technique (05:59) I would use those wedges in pairs so the sides remain parallel and the clamping forces are distributed over the length of the wedges.
Brian Taylor
2021-04-10 12:14:16 +0000 UTCThe historical perspective is very interesting. The lure of hand tool use begins with mastering tool techniques, and expands into project assembly. Thank you for reviving woodworking history and intrigue. Makes me want to go to the library!
Pete seddon
2021-04-10 11:55:17 +0000 UTCAs one of those that has muttered about clamps in the past, I really needed to see this video. I built my Low Roman Bench in the end with about 4 longish Bar Clamps that came from Lidl (UK) and worried about whether it would be enough; well, 8 months later it's still solid...
Rob Weir
2021-04-10 11:44:56 +0000 UTCI love this style of video. History, philosophy of woodworking and tips, perspective. Thanks.
Robert Bullock
2021-04-10 11:40:57 +0000 UTCMy wife says I watch too many YouTube videos on woodworking... That's bad, because I always find a new tool I need to buy. So I showed this to my wife... "Look Wife, Rex is teaching me how to NOT spend money".... She's still not convinced it will work.......................
ian lloyd
2021-04-10 11:37:34 +0000 UTCBuy clamps is an addiction that may be hard to break! Lol
Eric Smith
2021-04-10 11:30:13 +0000 UTCDoes this mean we're having a "clamp-down" ?
Martin Hartley
2021-04-10 11:26:12 +0000 UTCI am a huge Steve Ramsey fan, I have been wood working since high school and I still learn great stuff from you and Steve. On the same note I was watching Roy Underhill and Norm Abrams with equal admiration for them both.
Skully Wood and Metal
2021-04-10 11:25:37 +0000 UTCAll well and good but you didn't include the cack handed idiot use case where the clamp compensates for lack of ability! I _need_ clamps. 😊
Steven Mcgregor
2021-04-10 11:19:24 +0000 UTCGood morning! If my wife can’t keep me from buying more clamps, let’s see if Rex can convince me.
Brian Suker
2021-04-10 11:02:40 +0000 UTC
