Make the holes 3/4" and then you can use a 3/4" dowel in the dog holes on your bench. Could also drill the holes in the long end of existing clamps to accomplish almost the same thing.
If you are looking to convert an existing clamp to add the grooves, you can clamp the halves tightly together while assembled and drill a hole down the middle while standing and again while on its side. No need to disassemble! Just be sure and undersize the hole you drill so the edges of the hole grab round objects before they bottom out. Won’t work as well for grabbing square objects.. but its better than the flat surface they have now and sure is easy to do! Great video, thank you!
I've done this and it works ok. I haven't tried to do that and then mortise out a diamond shaped hole, but I think it could work better. The drilled hole for only has 2 points of contact FYI, Dubuque Tools makes hand screw kits. They look to be good quality. A little spendy, but maybe worth it to make 2 of these modded hands screws .
I modifiy these clamps for the molding outfit I work for, to jack open molds. I take the commercial clamps (maple body) and move the pivot nearer the bevel closer to the bevel; then add a steel pin that protrudes past the bevel end. Moving the pivot improves the mechanical advantage; the protruding pins engage in sokets in the mold exterior, providing grip.
I put grooves in mine years ago but I modified existing clamps for it. I work with a lot of small parts randomly and needed it. It's not hard to take them apart at all. I've broken a handle or two but I have dozens of hand screw clamps and making new handles is fun. For the clamp holes, someone else already said it but I put 3/4" holes in mine and use the dog holes on my bench and they also work for various other clamping methods to secure them to my bench, drill press and other tools.
I've loved your store for years, but I didn't even know you had a youtube channel until it popped up in my suggestions box. I haven't tried these clamp improvements, but they look to be Renzetti-tier ideas (for non-machinist youtube regulars, that's very high praise!) Hopefully I'll be able to grab some kits while they're still around. Wooden screw clamps are very, very underrated. They're especially good when you have a tricky problem and need to improvise.
I really gained an appreciation for the Jorgensen clamp...it was the subject for my high school Drafting course final exam. Front, top, side views and selected sections showing the way the screws pivot and, an isometric view. All of these were on one sheet of vellum drawn to scale and showing the right and left hand threads on the screws.
Drafting class? Are they still physically drafting? I remember learning the very basics in high school. It came in very handy in trade school. I'm 67 and still have a portable table and put it to good use.
@@francoisbouvier7861 I guess we are both showing our age! I am just behind you at 66. Like you, I still need what I learned in drafting class to make drawings on my computer...it is just now, I store my drawings on disk instead of paper!! And, making changes to a completed drawing is much easier...gone are the days of sepia eradicator (aka cat pee) lol!!
@Michael Rafa sadly I haven't been able to master any sort of Autocad. Owned a portion of a truss company and depended on the kids as I watched over their shoulder. It's a great tool. My rain struggled to master it.
Wait you were able to take drafting classes in high school?? That’s awesome, I would’ve loved that.. out of curiosity was that a private school or something??.. that’s actually mind blowing to me.. we had the classic choices of auto, home ec, 4h, art, music and drama as elective options.. with drama and 4h being the only real options with instructors who didn’t seem to despise their occupations and thus did the bare… regardless I’m glad there are schools out there who are making an effort to provide interesting classes, especially so for kids in such a formative and life altering stage as high school students..
I like it. Perhaps if the handles on the threaded rod were able to swivel so that when the clamp was laying flat on the bench then your knuckles would thank you. I still like it though.
Thanks for the ideas. I've owned handscrew clamps - all sizes - for years, and have really enjoyed them. Your ideas really juice up the handscrews. I'm inspired to build some with my grandson.
I didn't know you had the kits until this video, and now your source has dried up. I got there in time to grab 6, 8, and 12 inch versions. I stocked up a bit, so sorry to other folks. The improvements here are good stuff. I am with you on the wood with the current store bought versions. I've been finding old clamps at antique malls and flea markets from time to time. I've even rebuilt a couple, so this will be fun.
You guys should update the downloadable plans that come with these clamps to include this option. Edit: or wait until you have another source, then do it for sure.
I drilled and countersunk 3/16” holes in the legs on one of my clamps so I can screw it down to a board or a bench top. I’ve been considering the groove in the side but haven’t done it yet. You can probably cut the crosscut groove with a sharp handsaw, not sure about the groove that is ripped longways. I sometimes use hard foam like good dense anti fatigue mat or sidewalls from tires to get a grip on things. Also for dowels, I put some long screws in a block of wood, then drill the dowel hole/s perpendicular to the screws, then back out the screws and rip the block in half which shrinks the hole size enough to firmly grab the dowel for end drilling or other operations. In fact, I made a block like that with various hole sizes to fit most used dowels. It has 1/4 x 20 knobs to tighten up on the dowels similar to a flaring tool. I use it all the time.
I would gladly buy a clamp with those grooves. I turn a lot of pens and having a good way to hold onto my pen blanks at the drill press would be fantastic
So, instructions call for a 21/32 bit to fit the nuts on these. Do you sell these bits or would you simply recommend using a 5/8 bit and assume some slop?
Its a shame shipping to Canada for a couple of these costs more then the items themselves..... I have yet to buy anything from Taytools because of the insane shipping costs, would be nice if they offered free shipping over 100 to Canada too....
We have low prices for our products, so we can't swallow the price of international shipping - we only charge what we're charged for it. We completely understand though and agree that shipping prices are insane sometimes.
I love the original Jorgensen clamp design, and I love your improvements too, but one thing that I've always hated about Jorgensen clamps is that I am constantly pinching my skin in the space between the screw and the hole in the wooden jaw when I pick them up. All it would take is a small bevel/countersink around the hole to make it stop, and would make a good usability improvement in my opinion.
Why can’t you take your existing clamp apart and rout the grooves and drill your holes? You appear to want to sell those clamp parts more than sharing an improvement. You will not have the extra length of a custom clamp but the jaw modifications are doable on existing clamps.
Taylor Toolworks got me for the price of a burnishing tool via. Amazon and refused to claim responsibility henceforth I was left the good decent man I am with nothing for the money I spent and a bad taste for a company clearly out for themselves.
Hi Michael, it seems there may have understandably been some confusion. Your order was running late and then canceled by (or through) Amazon, and you were refunded the full amount you spent as requested. I know you were really looking forward to that burnisher, but once Amazon requests us to cancel an order there's nothing more we can do other than refund you. You could try ordering it again through our site so that it doesn't go through Amazon or try Amazon again. I'm sorry your experience with us wasn't a positive one, but we're here to help if you want to give us a try again in the future.
Make the holes 3/4" and then you can use a 3/4" dowel in the dog holes on your bench. Could also drill the holes in the long end of existing clamps to accomplish almost the same thing.
Or just run a deck screw into the clamp. That ought to hold it.
could drill all those holes in an existing clamp without issue.
If you are looking to convert an existing clamp to add the grooves, you can clamp the halves tightly together while assembled and drill a hole down the middle while standing and again while on its side. No need to disassemble! Just be sure and undersize the hole you drill so the edges of the hole grab round objects before they bottom out. Won’t work as well for grabbing square objects.. but its better than the flat surface they have now and sure is easy to do! Great video, thank you!
I've done this and it works ok. I haven't tried to do that and then mortise out a diamond shaped hole, but I think it could work better. The drilled hole for only has 2 points of contact
FYI, Dubuque Tools makes hand screw kits. They look to be good quality. A little spendy, but maybe worth it to make 2 of these modded hands screws .
I modifiy these clamps for the molding outfit I work for, to jack open molds. I take the commercial clamps (maple body) and move the pivot nearer the bevel closer to the bevel; then add a steel pin that protrudes past the bevel end. Moving the pivot improves the mechanical advantage; the protruding pins engage in sokets in the mold exterior, providing grip.
I put grooves in mine years ago but I modified existing clamps for it. I work with a lot of small parts randomly and needed it. It's not hard to take them apart at all. I've broken a handle or two but I have dozens of hand screw clamps and making new handles is fun.
For the clamp holes, someone else already said it but I put 3/4" holes in mine and use the dog holes on my bench and they also work for various other clamping methods to secure them to my bench, drill press and other tools.
I think Stumpy Nubs covered this a year or so ago ... which is where I learned about your company so 👍
Yep .. i was wrong about the dates but 🤷♂
th-cam.com/video/U7w0QEOZYqc/w-d-xo.html
Ya, that's where I learned about the kits and adding the groove and holes.
@@daifeichu Props to Mr. Nubs for partnering with this small business
I've loved your store for years, but I didn't even know you had a youtube channel until it popped up in my suggestions box. I haven't tried these clamp improvements, but they look to be Renzetti-tier ideas (for non-machinist youtube regulars, that's very high praise!) Hopefully I'll be able to grab some kits while they're still around.
Wooden screw clamps are very, very underrated. They're especially good when you have a tricky problem and need to improvise.
I really gained an appreciation for the Jorgensen clamp...it was the subject for my high school Drafting course final exam. Front, top, side views and selected sections showing the way the screws pivot and, an isometric view. All of these were on one sheet of vellum drawn to scale and showing the right and left hand threads on the screws.
That makes me miss drafting class. What a great project!
Drafting class? Are they still physically drafting? I remember learning the very basics in high school. It came in very handy in trade school. I'm 67 and still have a portable table and put it to good use.
@@francoisbouvier7861 I guess we are both showing our age! I am just behind you at 66. Like you, I still need what I learned in drafting class to make drawings on my computer...it is just now, I store my drawings on disk instead of paper!!
And, making changes to a completed drawing is much easier...gone are the days of sepia eradicator (aka cat pee) lol!!
@Michael Rafa sadly I haven't been able to master any sort of Autocad. Owned a portion of a truss company and depended on the kids as I watched over their shoulder. It's a great tool. My rain struggled to master it.
Wait you were able to take drafting classes in high school?? That’s awesome, I would’ve loved that.. out of curiosity was that a private school or something??.. that’s actually mind blowing to me.. we had the classic choices of auto, home ec, 4h, art, music and drama as elective options.. with drama and 4h being the only real options with instructors who didn’t seem to despise their occupations and thus did the bare… regardless I’m glad there are schools out there who are making an effort to provide interesting classes, especially so for kids in such a formative and life altering stage as high school students..
I like it. Perhaps if the handles on the threaded rod were able to swivel so that when the clamp was laying flat on the bench then your knuckles would thank you. I still like it though.
I have often wanted these clamps but now I'm determined to get some. Thanks for all this info.
Thanks for the ideas. I've owned handscrew clamps - all sizes - for years, and have really enjoyed them. Your ideas really juice up the handscrews. I'm inspired to build some with my grandson.
I didn't know you had the kits until this video, and now your source has dried up. I got there in time to grab 6, 8, and 12 inch versions. I stocked up a bit, so sorry to other folks. The improvements here are good stuff. I am with you on the wood with the current store bought versions. I've been finding old clamps at antique malls and flea markets from time to time. I've even rebuilt a couple, so this will be fun.
Lee Valley sells Dubuque hand screw kits.
Sold! I’m a first time customer and I just ordered a set! I’ll definitely be checking out the other things on your site!
So simple, yet so brilliant improvements!
Thanks Mike, just ordered some.
Wow. What a time to be alive.
You guys should update the downloadable plans that come with these clamps to include this option.
Edit: or wait until you have another source, then do it for sure.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Very smart! Thank you!
I drilled and countersunk 3/16” holes in the legs on one of my clamps so I can screw it down to a board or a bench top. I’ve been considering the groove in the side but haven’t done it yet. You can probably cut the crosscut groove with a sharp handsaw, not sure about the groove that is ripped longways. I sometimes use hard foam like good dense anti fatigue mat or sidewalls from tires to get a grip on things. Also for dowels, I put some long screws in a block of wood, then drill the dowel hole/s perpendicular to the screws, then back out the screws and rip the block in half which shrinks the hole size enough to firmly grab the dowel for end drilling or other operations. In fact, I made a block like that with various hole sizes to fit most used dowels. It has 1/4 x 20 knobs to tighten up on the dowels similar to a flaring tool. I use it all the time.
I'm currently in a position where I can't install a face vise - these clamps have served pretty well as a makeshift alternative.
I would gladly buy a clamp with those grooves. I turn a lot of pens and having a good way to hold onto my pen blanks at the drill press would be fantastic
A nice modification, !
Very cool indeed
Please send me your first “Quick release” kit! Bet you could swap out the screw drive with a release version.
I could put those grooves into assembled clamps. But I have a milling machine.
Great improvements, I just wish you had more of them! I didn’t get the 10”: seems to be most popular.
Very popular!
Hi my friend! this is really nice!! are you able to ship this clamp kit to Brazil? Cheers
Looks awsome. Any idea if and when the kits might be back in stock?
Maybe do the holes in 20mm with spacing for use on an MFT?
I got the 12 inch kit years ago, someone liked them better than me, sadly.
Nice video, and interesting modifications. One thing that was not clear from the photos: are the screw threads in you kits acme or standard?
So, instructions call for a 21/32 bit to fit the nuts on these. Do you sell these bits or would you simply recommend using a 5/8 bit and assume some slop?
In Chicago? Oh, sir, update your sources
Its a shame shipping to Canada for a couple of these costs more then the items themselves.....
I have yet to buy anything from Taytools because of the insane shipping costs, would be nice if they offered free shipping over 100 to Canada too....
We have low prices for our products, so we can't swallow the price of international shipping - we only charge what we're charged for it. We completely understand though and agree that shipping prices are insane sometimes.
Well, I appreciate the response at least.
Does Steve Martin know about this ?
Too bad there is no shipping to Sweden. 😢
I love the original Jorgensen clamp design, and I love your improvements too, but one thing that I've always hated about Jorgensen clamps is that I am constantly pinching my skin in the space between the screw and the hole in the wooden jaw when I pick them up. All it would take is a small bevel/countersink around the hole to make it stop, and would make a good usability improvement in my opinion.
Why can’t you take your existing clamp apart and rout the grooves and drill your holes? You appear to want to sell those clamp parts more than sharing an improvement. You will not have the extra length of a custom clamp but the jaw modifications are doable on existing clamps.
Taylor Toolworks got me for the price of a burnishing tool via. Amazon and refused to claim responsibility henceforth I was left the good decent man I am with nothing for the money I spent and a bad taste for a company clearly out for themselves.
Hi Michael, it seems there may have understandably been some confusion. Your order was running late and then canceled by (or through) Amazon, and you were refunded the full amount you spent as requested. I know you were really looking forward to that burnisher, but once Amazon requests us to cancel an order there's nothing more we can do other than refund you. You could try ordering it again through our site so that it doesn't go through Amazon or try Amazon again. I'm sorry your experience with us wasn't a positive one, but we're here to help if you want to give us a try again in the future.