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Simple Easy Spool Clamps
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10117&t=45268		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  WudWerkr [ Wed Mar 04, 2015 3:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Simple Easy Spool Clamps
After fighting with the clamping yesterday on the Martin Guitar , I knew I needed some Spool clamps. I sat and thought about it with the help of a cold Bud Light and then it hit me ! I have several 2" dulley wheels from days when I built Kids trucks left over . I grabbed one , split it down the seam put a 3/8" carriage bolt through it and a wing nut . I ordered more Wheels off Ebay ( 16 ) pcs for 14.95 delivered . Simple, Effective , and allot less time consuming than cutting and drilling all those circles .

Most difficult part is splitting the wheels , I used a clamp and band-saw . Have to be careful there because they want to spin . DO NOT cut them by hand without a clamping set up .

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Author:  Alex Kleon [ Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Simple Easy Spool Clamps
That's wheely, wheely smart, Wud! :D All you need is some cork pads, and you're rolling! I'm going to have to make some of those!

Alex
Author:  cphanna [ Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Simple Easy Spool Clamps
Wud, yours are a lot prettier than mine. I guess I'm an odd ball, but I've never seen the reason why spool clamps needed to be round. I just cut a bunch of 1" squares, padded them with cork gasket material, drilled them through and inserted the bolts. I've been using them for about twenty years now and they work fine. .....but yours are DEFINITELY a lot more elegant looking. If I had customers coming into my shop (which I don't), I'd probably have more elegant tools, jigs and clamps laid out too!!!
Author:  WudWerkr [ Thu Mar 05, 2015 9:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Simple Easy Spool Clamps
Quote:
That's wheely, wheely smart, Wud! :D All you need is some cork pads, and you're rolling! I'm going to have to make some of those!




cphanna wrote:
Wud, yours are a lot prettier than mine. I guess I'm an odd ball, but I've never seen the reason why spool clamps needed to be round. I just cut a bunch of 1" squares, padded them with cork gasket material, drilled them through and inserted the bolts. I've been using them for about twenty years now and they work fine. .....but yours are DEFINITELY a lot more elegant looking. If I had customers coming into my shop (which I don't), I'd probably have more elegant tools, jigs and clamps laid out too!!!



Thanks ... Really this is a case of " What was on hand" more than anything . lol
Author:  Bryan Bear [ Thu Mar 05, 2015 12:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Simple Easy Spool Clamps
The only advantage I see to circles as opposed to squares would be that you can squeeze them in close to each other without having to worry about turning the corners on both sides (first world problem for sure).

Wud and I were talking about spool clamps on facebook and I said that I hate when I have to really crank on a whole bunch of wingnuts all around the body. My fingers get sore. I said I keep meaning to make long screwdriver handles for my spool clamps. Wud made a brilliant observation. I only need to make one handle with a hole through the length (for the threaded shaft) and a slot that mates with the wing nut. Then I can just move from clamp to clamp to clam tightening and saving my fingers.
Author:  John Killin [ Thu Mar 05, 2015 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Simple Easy Spool Clamps
Bryan Bear wrote:
Wud made a brilliant observation. I only need to make one handle with a hole through the length (for the threaded shaft) and a slot that mates with the wing nut. Then I can just move from clamp to clamp to clam tightening and saving my fingers.


Brilliant. [:Y:] [:Y:] [:Y:]
Author:  WudWerkr [ Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Simple Easy Spool Clamps
John Killin wrote:
Bryan Bear wrote:
Wud made a brilliant observation. I only need to make one handle with a hole through the length (for the threaded shaft) and a slot that mates with the wing nut. Then I can just move from clamp to clamp to clam tightening and saving my fingers.


Brilliant. [:Y:] [:Y:] [:Y:]



Thanks , even this old bulb brightens the room on occasion ! laughing6-hehe
Author:  Steve Jeffries [ Sun Mar 08, 2015 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Simple Easy Spool Clamps
If anybody wants to make these, Ive got a ton of cork to use as linings. Just let me know. Id just give it away, all you'd have to cover is shipping.
Author:  WudWerkr [ Sun Mar 08, 2015 5:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Simple Easy Spool Clamps
Additional note . I have a mortiser and put the proper square hole in one side . Simple if you have one, lil more difficult if you dont
Author:  Alex Kleon [ Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Simple Easy Spool Clamps
I've got one, Wud. Good idea!

Alex
Author:  fumblefinger [ Thu Apr 30, 2015 10:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Simple Easy Spool Clamps
Wud could you post a link to the wheels? The only ones I'm finding are 1" dia.
Author:  Hesh [ Fri May 01, 2015 6:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Simple Easy Spool Clamps
Very nicely done Jim!

We have around 100 spool clamps and something quick and easy that you can do to improve yours is use some fish take type tubing for the first inch or so butted up next to the spools. Reason being the threads on spool clamps have a nasty habit of scratching and marring the finish or wood on the sides of the instrument. Using something to take the threads out of play but that will move out of the way when the wing nut is tightened can avoid the needless scope creep of doing some damage to an instrument when using the clamps.
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