Official Luthiers Forum!

hey sorry if this is already a topic buried somewhere. but i have been having the hardest time finding the right sized cam clamps.

i want to get some 4 inch jaw reach and some 6. i can find 4 no problem. stew mac doesnt have 6 only 4 and 8. and the only place online i found with 6 inch reaches doesn't ship to Canada aparently. so i come to you fine forum goers to ask where do you get your cam clamps? and has anyone successfully built their own with proper clamping pressure?

Yes ,I've built over a dozen of my own, but still wanting more , I went and bought some . The ones I bought are hopeless . Pretty sure they were made in China out of their plantation grown beech . They were so far out of alignment ,I had to put quite a bit of time on them redrilling holes and shifting pins etc.

You will more than likley be able to get a hold of the Klemsia clamps , but not living in Canada , I can't tell you which supplier would be best . They're made in Germany ,but like my rotten Chinese ones , have a steel bar . This makes them around 50 % heavier than those with Aluminium bars which I much prefer .

Nothing wrong in making your own . They take a fair amount of time to make , but you'll appreciate your handy work each time you put them to use. It'll also sharpen your skills a bit if you are new to this. There are a number of plans available on the net .You'll need a strong wood . I used Tasmanian Myrtle , which is a relative of Euro. Beech.

Here's how mine turned out . 4 1/2 " , 6 " and 8 " with the jumbo one at the rear being very handy .They have plenty of clamping force .

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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LMI

http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproducts.asp?CategoryName=Clamps+%26+Vises&NameProdHeader=Klemmsia+Cam+Clamps

http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/camclamps.htm

Haven't used these, but they appear to be worth a look.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I have a few of those, and I, personally, don't like the serrated back edge on the rod. When I shove mine closed for storage, I have to pry them apart with a screwdriver. That said, they clamp well. They're just a fuss to get ready to clamp with, in my case.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Thanks for the tip, Waddy.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

those are a bit heavy on the price tag i was thining 25 bucks? plus S&H looks like im building my own just got done making 16 dowel clamps. anyways thanks for all the comments/links

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Easier said than done. When I put them in the rack, they slip closed. I don't really have another place to store them. I'm sure I could figure it out, but clamps shouldn't be fiddly any time. They should just work. That's why my go-to clamps are Quick Grips.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars