Zak and the rest of ya,
Though I strongly advise buying the pliers, sometimes you just gotta show how tough you are. ;o)
Pictured here is a fairly easy way to use the clamps without the pliers.
1. glue and pin the miter to keep the pieces lined up and then squeeze the clamp open with your hand.
2. set one point about 3/4″ below the outside corner of the miter.
3. grab the loop on the side of the clamp opposite the point you just set.
4. pull the second point over to the other side of the miter and set it–done.
5. this pic shows the easy way.
Replies
I couldn't imagine using the clamps without the pliers. The clamps don't look like much but they are strong.
If you can crack a walnut with your bare hands you might not need the clamps. Otherwise get off that tight wallet and buy them.
I agree.My method works best in reverse (for removing the clamps). I do skip the pliers sometimes if I have a clamp handy and the pliers are out of reach, for some reason.
Ok, here's what would happen if I tried that. Long about the time I grabbed the opposite loop and started stretching, the first point would slip and carve a nice deep gouge all the way across the longest piece of trim on the whole job.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Come on now...you know you gotta try it!It'll be fine...you trust me, don't you? ;o)
I just tried it your way and the first point slipped as I was tugging on it then flew off towards my head and ripped my right ear off then continued flying in the air flinging blood until it smashed through the front window and killed a bird sitting in the front yard tree which our cat ended up eating and getting West Nile virus from it.
Whew, longest sentence ever?
So will you miss the cat more than your ear?I have mentioned that you can use the clamps on your apprentice, should they act up. I try not to target myself with them. ;o)
No, I like my ear much more than that cat.
Nice technique, I'll try it. I just got the clamps the other day, haven't had a chance to use them yet for real.
zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
Thanks, it works better with two hands...you should have seen me doing that and trying to take pictures at the same time <g>.
Hey, thanks again for the technique. I used my Collins clamps all day today- I'm sure glad I got a dozen, because I was using every one of them. For a lot of the door casing, I was gluing up on the floor, then installing when dry. For that, I could just squeeze one handed, and tighten it up with both hands if I needed to- usually I didn't.
When I was doing windows (some of these window sets are 10' long), I couldn't pre-assemble, so I used your technique. Worked great. I don't think I'll get the pliers for now- I hate to have another thing in my toolbelt. I'd probably get the pliers if I ordered more clamps in the future though.
Oh, and the pre-assembly of door casing works better than I thought it would- that moulding and trim glue is amazingly strong after half an hour or so. Thanks to all for the tips.zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
Zak,Pretty nice, aye.You know you'll end up ordering another dozen clamps (and the pliers). <g>You may have seen a pic of mine in another thread of my assembly table. I made the table with 1/2" MDO ply (light, stable and smooth). The table should be wide enough to support a 3-0 door casing set (42") and I used the rip off the edge of the sheet of MDO to make a curb on one edge. The curb is down in this pic (helps keep the table flat), but I sometimes flip the table when it is handy to have a backstop/fence to push stock against.I made the "curb" the same height as my table saw fence. I also use it for a zero clearance table saw infeed/outfeed table for ripping floppy materials like laminate (so the table has a few TS blade slots cut in it).The third pic is my best "trim assembly table" photo. I try to set up a serious production shop on most jobs. I take longer to set up than most, but I think I get rewarded in terms of productivity. Nice to work at a table when you can.I may run out of trade secrets soon (I better think of a few new Ideas). I do like sharing ideas here (like most of us, I don't have many original thoughts--most are ripped off and adapted from people here and at work).Speaking of work...I gotta go run some casing and base.