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General Category => Tutorials, Techniques and Tips => Topic started by: Bill P on March 19, 2011, 12:07:33 pm
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I'm working on my first chess set, and use a 3" version of the clamp pictured here to hold the pieces. It gives me a more secure grip, and the handles help me make those short-radius turns. Just don't over-tighten and pinch the blade.
Bill
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Good tip Bill!
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I'm working on my first chess set, and use a 3" version of the clamp pictured here to hold the pieces. It gives me a more secure grip, and the handles help me make those short-radius turns. Just don't over-tighten and pinch the blade.
Bill
Just thought I'd remind everyone, Steve gives directions on how to make your own. Much cheaper than buying. A couple blocks of wood of your choice a couple pieces of all thread some wing nuts and washers, and a couple of locking nuts, are all that's needed. I'm not sure exactly where he showed it, maybe someone else can point us in the right direction.
Gabby
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Hey Gabby, If I have the clamp available, I'm going to use it rather than take the time to make one. For me, Time is more valuable than saving a couple of dollars!
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I think I remember seeing that too, Gabby. Was it more like a jig for little pieces, or a homemade clamp? The small 4" clamps at Harbor Freight are $3.99, so I went that route, but I'm tempted to make a jig for the larger pieces (kings and queens). Might as well, since it looks like I'm going to be doing more than one set. :D
Bill
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I think I remember seeing that too, Gabby. Was it more like a jig for little pieces, or a homemade clamp? The small 4" clamps at Harbor Freight are $3.99, so I went that route, but I'm tempted to make a jig for the larger pieces (kings and queens). Might as well, since it looks like I'm going to be doing more than one set. :D
Bill
It looks very similar to the wooden clamps you are using, the ones Steve showed were nearly a foot long and the all thread bolts were too. When finished it looks very similar to the manufactured clamps. The major difference is you don't have the wooden handles to tighten the clamp. That's what the wing nuts do. The nice part is you could make them to suit yourself and the project you're cutting, such as your chess pieces.
Since the bars are parallel to each other and will lay flat on the table there will be no wobble or teetering, and no big handles sticking out in the way when you spin the wood around to change direction.
Gabby
PS: dgman. If you already have the clamps you need or buckets of money to buy them, you won't be interested in this. But if you are like a lot of us working on a fixed budget, or want something to do a specific job, this could be the solution to the problem. I can visualize making them small enough to hold something like a wallnut or large enough to hold a picture frame, you are only limited by the size of the allthread and the wooden jaws. Clear as mud I'll bet!
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Here is the info from Steve.
Gabby
http://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/2007/07/3d-scroll-saw-cutting-jig.html
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Thanks for the Info Gabby,These look very simple and cheap to make
And I certainly see a use for them.
Bill
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I liked the two ideas and wanted to see which one worked better for me, so I decided to build the clamp/jig Gabby was talking about. It cost about $8 and took about 1/2 an hour to make.
I loved it. The control was a little better, and the consistency of the grip was great.
Thanks to Steve for the plans, and to Gabby for reminding us all about the idea.
Bill
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Thanks Gabby,
I am going to make a set too.
Jim
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I made a smaller version so I could cut balls 1 1/2" and cubes into puzzles. They work great for that.