I'm about to purchase some spring clamps and a few "Fast Acting" clamps (I usually call them "F" clamps because they are kind of shaped like an F). Here's a link to the "Fast Acting":
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... 3850,44647
What I want to know is.... what jaw depth is most useful? I have a feeling 2 1/2" isn't deep enough but I could be wrong. These clamps will primarily be used to hold things down to my bench, secure my bending iron to the bench, etc..... What's a good minimum jaw depth? I'm away right now so I can't measure things.
On to the spring clamps!!! This is a tricky one! Like all other clamps, I need a ton of them and they cost an arm and a leg each!!
I saw a box of 100 for cheap some place but they were small and I was afraid that they would wind up being too small to use on anything! Two questions about the spring clamps:1. Are plastic ones (Bessey) inferior to metal ones (pony, etc...)?
2. What size do I need? What should the throat size be if I will be using the spring clamps to glue kerfing inside of an archtop build? This also might apply to the classical build I plan on doing some time in the future.
Like I said.... I'm away from my workbench and my wood. I would give measurements to you guys if I could. As far as kerfing goes, I'm almost positive I have the kind with the traditional "half triangle" shape. I wish I could measure it. What size spring clamps are good for kerfing? Is a 1" throat too small? I have a feeling it is. Thanks!
-John