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Got a coupla cam clamps that are slipping...they have worked quite well until this month....Basically, after tightening clamp, it loosens over a 60 second period....gotta fix or replace. Would rather fix.

-Wood is not cracked,
-no oils on the steel bar,
-cam bar is good
-back of steel is getting shiny....do I need to re-groove the back edge? Re-file grooves?

any ideas for fix? Thanks.

the most important thing to remember when using
cam clamps are to -position it-Bring the bottom & top pieces
to the joint-Then hold the bottom & top (wooden parts) tight at the back
just behind the steel bar -then adjust the cam .

Mike
Practice this with non -important pieces.

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Mike Collins

I don't have any cam clamps. But there is a thing on the internet that shows how to make your own. I would like to have some.


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The same happened to me. I own about 15 cam clamps. Two of them showed the same problem you are having. It has nothing to do with how you clamp them. I am pretty sure they are broken. Either you try to fix them (you have to figure out how), or you throw them away. I still have them, but I don't use them anymore. It is too dangerous. I also wrote to klemsia but received no answer. Sorry I could not help.

If the grooves have worn smooth you could try a re-file.
Are they Klemsia or another brand?
I have about 30 Klemsia clamps and haven't had any problem at all with them over the years.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

The cam relies on wood-to-wood friction. If those surfaces become contaminated, the cam can slip. I disassembled one of mine, a few swipes with 120 grit and a splash of naphtha. Reassembled, problem solved. YMMV


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Klemmsia clamps are still working.....these are a different 'brand'.....I'll try cleaning/roughing up back edge.....thanks.