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Corner Clamps and/or jigs.

Jake0358 | Posted in Tools for Home Building on January 14, 2010 09:10am

CORNER CLAMPS I have a few book cases to build of different sizes and I want a jig or clamp to aid in getting a true 90 degree corner. Any suggestions from those who have used such a tool, weather made or bought. Also, if there is an off the shelf item, what is the make and model? Thank for your input.

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  1. rdesigns | Jan 14, 2010 09:58am | #1

    Bessey makes a good one if you don't mind the price. It'll do "L" corners or "T" junctions and will accommodate differing thicknesses of material.

    I have one, but find that I seldom use it. For joints like you're doing, I like to use biscuits for strength combined with 2 or 3 pocket screws to pull the joint tight in lieu of clamps. Any small devation from square can always be tweaked later by the back or by corner blocks.

    If bicuits don't seem strong enough (like with a particle board shelf), then house the shelf ends in a shallow dado, and use pocket screws to hold things tight till the glue sets.

    Just ideas to keep in mind.

  2. TomT226 | Jan 14, 2010 12:35pm | #2

    Made four from 3/4" ply drops. Any width you want, just rip a piece 4'long, and run a 1/4" deep rabbet down the center. Cut a piece of ply for the center brace. Spread glue in the rabbet and assemble. Brad one side, check for square with your framing square, then brad the other. Makes an "L" that you can clamp from either side. Make four.

    1. fingers | Jan 14, 2010 01:00pm | #4

      I'm with you. I made a bunch
      I'm with you. I made a bunch several years ago for a project I can't remember . . big ones, medium ones and maybe eight small ones. I can't tell you how much use they've gotten from squaring up a carcase to using them as wall brackets as explained by the "Working Alone" author whose name escapes me at the moment. The small ones I use primarily with cheap spring clamps while I shoot off or screw off whatever it is I'm joining.

  3. tek | Jan 14, 2010 12:47pm | #3

    Just used a kreg right angle corner clamp for the first time recently. Works well - it's designed to fit into a pocket hole on one side and has a wide base on the other.

    1. Brian55 | Jan 14, 2010 02:43pm | #5

      I keep a box of various sizes aluminum angles cut from 3X3X3/8" that and some clamps handle pretty much most of what I need to do.

      1. dejure | Mar 09, 2010 01:47am | #6

        I bought several of the "L"

        I bought several of the "L" brackets and just mitered some 2x2 stock.  You could do any manner of fancy joint you desired.  Next, I glued and screwed the two together, while they were set at ninety against an "L" square, then installed the "L" brackets on both sides.  I use these with 6" bar clamps and they work great.

    2. andybuildz | Mar 14, 2010 05:29pm | #7

       http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=22178  I almost bought 4 of these yesterday  Seems like a good system...especially with the Kreg pocket jig!  I'll prolly' bite the bullet soon enough.

      Ace seems to be the best price being  http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=22178 no shipping $$ 

        Ps..I tried five times to get these links to work to no avail..ugh

      1. calvin | Mar 14, 2010 05:45pm | #8

        Andy

        get 'em if you can.  My tool supplier has them on order-he says to me-major back order on them.

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