How to Clamp Round Objects

When it comes to clamping round objects, a bicycle inner tube can be a perfect clamping tool. More on the blog: bit.ly/YaGOiq
Home Improvement Online With www.ronhazelton...
With over 500 hundred free DIY ideas, tips, how-to's, suggestions, and video tutorials available to help you turn your home improvement plans into finished projects. With more projects being added every month this is the go-to place for Do-It-Yourselfers & professionals alike.
_
Check Out Our Site: www.ronhazelton...
Follow Us On Twitter: / ronhazelton
Like Us On Facebook: / ronhazeltonhousecalls
Follow Us On Google+: plus.google.co...
View Our Pinterest: / ronhazelton
Don't Forget To Subscribe: / @ronhazelton
Transcript:
As you can probably tell, I've got about every kind of clamp there is here in the shop, but when it comes to clamping round objects like the handle on this antique doll stroller or the shattered pedestal on this table base, well, conventional clamps aren't always the best solution. As a matter of fact, the best clamping solution might be found not in a woodworking shop, but in a bicycle shop.
That's right, a bike shop, a bicycle inner tube can be the perfect clamping tool for some kinds of jobs. Let me show you how. To turn a bicycle tube into a clamp I first cut away the valve, then cut the tube in half lengthwise. I end up with two long, narrow strips of very stretchable rubber. Now here's how I'll use these giant rubber bands to clamp the table base. I always like to put my work in the most comfortable and convenient position, in this case upside down and slipped over a wooden pin in my workbench. Next, I pour a little glue in a disposable container. This is the cut off bottom from an empty water bottle and brush it on the broken parts. Once the pieces are in place, I gently wrap a piece of painter's masking tape around them to keep things from slipping, then I begin wrapping the rubber strap. Now, what's important here is to stretch the rubber band out as I wrap so that I'm putting pressure on that joint and with each wrap I'm putting more and more pressure, just like a conventional clamp would do. A small spring clamp will hold the strap in place while the glue dries.
Now, one of the disadvantages of using the bicycle inner tube is that the tube completely covers the joints sometimes, which means you can't see the glue that is squeezing out. So what I do is put some paste wax on the finish surfaces like this so that if glue does squeeze out, I can easily remove it later on. It won't stick to the wax
On the antique baby stroller the process is virtually the same. I apply glue to the broken surfaces, position the pieces together and wrap them with a rubber strap. Again, stretching the band a bit as I make each rotation, then securing the end with a spring clamp.
The glue has dried and the table base, so I unwrap the inner to clamp and the masking tape. Well, there's a little bit of the crack still visible, it's tight. That's mostly a finish problem and I think I can take care of that with a touch up marker. I dab on the marker, let it set for a few seconds, then wipe off the excess, the repair is nearly invisible.
So when is a clamp, not a clamp, when it's a bicycle tube! And if you ask the bike shop for a flat, this is a clamp that'll be absolutely free.

[@FrequentFlyer815]

Not only is the video very helpful, but I just love the way his voice sounds as he explains it.

[@colleenmccarthy-evans3149]

Thank you so much for this brilliant hack! I tried it yesterday with one of my husband's old bike inner tubes...on a lovely (broken) curved tiger wood foot rest from a vintage secretary desk...I added a couple of dowels to fortify the repair, glued it all up and then wrapped it, just as you demonstrated...said a few prayers (because if it didn't work it would have been a lot of time etc to undo it and try it again...) and to my delight when I unwrapped it today it worked perfectly! Better than I could have ever hoped. Thank you, thank you!

[@manapunk3085]

Not what I was hoping for, but definitely keeping this in mind for the future.

[@razpaul]

Thank you very much for sharing this great idea - worked perfectly regluing a joint on my vintage mandolin.

[@indefence7214]

This idea in a word is simply "Awesome!"
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Kind regards,
Steve 👍👍

[@TheAudiesmith123]

to quote Jimmy Buffett, "it was so simple, it plumb near evaded me!". What a great tip!. I am making a banjo rim with pie shaped pieces, and this is an elegant clamping solution. Thanks

[@Frilleon]

Great vid. Ron is the man

[@flyingcat2054]

Never learned that in woodshop! I'm sure I'll use this down the road

[@afrozahridi4032]

Super helpful info. Thank you so much. Just wonder is there any substitute of bicycle tube? TIA

[@barryparks4689]

Brilliant. What a great tip.

[@kevinthomas5270]

Would this work for securing a piece of burl wood while carving?

[@robertsamagalsky1617]

Brilliant!

[@Andyhoffman98]

So much symbolism in this video. The background music feels weird and out of place, which is what Ron is doing to show his character's apathy and strong sense of nihilism. And his quote "When is a clamp not a clamp, when it's a bicycle tube!" Is just beautiful. This is even more important as he says it at the end, and serving as symbolism with the clamp serving as what he views to be a depressing life, and the bicycle serving as a different perspective on this same life, which he now views as hopeful and optimistic. It is a truly beautiful Independent Short Film video with the drive Ron Hazelton always produces. 10/10

[@grassman3296]

I just saw the video with the kids safe table saw then I saw another video about your kids safe power tools on another TH-cam video did they ever make it to Market you had all sorts of different kind of tools a drill and circular saw everything man

[@mikes8218]

Genius

[@chavirawiser5010]

I bought instructions from woodprix and I builded it very very cheap.

[@jaydenbrumous2582]

I did the same with Stodoys :)

[@sherrylkeith9695]

There are many similar projects in Woodprix's plans.