Would you please give us a link for the UHMW tape, and data like brand, dimensions, has glue or adhesive backing? Thanks for a great pair of videos! My intended use for the UHMW tape (in addition to your proposed use), is to line sliding surfaces to reduce friction and "stick-slip" friction, like when making my DIY Track Saw from aluminum profile and needing the saw "sled carriage" for my circular saw to slide perfectly against the aluminum profile! Best regards from Mexico and let's keep designing and making those factory overexpensive accesories by ourselves!
8 times stronger sir! Re your: “makes it more than twice as strong”.. Bending resistance is width x height x height x height (times a constant for the material) Width in this case is the steel thickness x two (as there are two side walls) So: 2 times the height = 8 times stronger bending resistance. (2x2x2) 3 times higher = 27 times stronger The beam height makes all the difference 😎 Kind regards Anders Sweden
Thank you for providing an oasis of sanity in an insane world of “You must buy all these expensive tools to be a woodworker.” I want to save my money for wood to make stuff, not have a super fancy workshop. You help me remember that and find ways to do it.
This is how my grandfather thought. I've always admired 'Redneck Engineering.' Just a few days ago I had an impossible seam to caulk. I jerry rigged up my own 'tool' with a straw, some wire, and some electrical tape. (Courtesy of youtube.) When I showed my husband my little hack - and my perfectly caulked seam - I was so proud of myself. He grumbled, "Don't they make an actual *tool* for that?" I smiled brightly and said, "They sure do! It's $16.99 plus tax from Amazon. I can grab one right now if you think that's better. Want me to remove the caulk I did and redo it with the right tool? It'll only add about three days to this job." His eyes widened and he said, "No. This is fine." My turn to grumble. "Then you'd better be REALLY happy and enthusiastic about my solution and tell me how great of a job I did or I'm buying it right now." To his credit, he did laugh and lavished praise upon my greatness. Honestly, we can all be nickled and dimed to death if we don't MacGyver what we can. I can't believe how fast the money goes out the window lately.
I've been in the construction business for nearly 50 years and never thought of using strut in my panel glue-ups. Thanks for the idea and you just got another subscriber.
Well someone finally caught up. I made 6 sets of culls using UniStrurt over 35 years ago. At that time the various hole options were not available. I ended up filing out numerous holes on one rail (36" long) to accept 1/2" carriage bolts. On the opposinging rail I made some hardwood blocks to lock into the rail opening. I use springs over the carriage bolts to lift the top rail up. Clamping is done using large palm knobs. Not quite sure why tons of force is needed to clamp the glue up. If the boards are not of a uniform thickness or cupped (quality of workmanship), all the clamping in the world will not make make the glue up any better. These only need to be tightened enough to ensure properly prepared stock is level level plane to one another. Moving away from pipe clamps to some built in method is dependant on the frequency of use. Daily/Weekly, yes. Occasionally not needed.
Agree with everything you said. A lot of stuff in this video I only did to show it was possible and to answer the comments from the first video (there were literally thousands). In the first video I only used wing nuts on the bolts because I don’t tighten them very hard at all.
I've discovered your video's today and after watching 3 of them I'm building casters for a workbench, a bottomless sled, and these clamps! I'm glad that I saw these before I bought expensive alternatives. Thanks
I love this idea! Maybe someone else already said this, but the stiffness of a beam depends on its cross sectional geometry, particularly the "height" (what you measured as 13/16 and 1 5/8). All else equal, the stiffness will be proportional to the square of the height). So, since the standard is 2x as high as the low-profile, it will be approximately 4 times as stiff. Technically, you are correct - more than 2 times stronger - but that's an understatement! Thanks for all the great information in this video!!
Great solutions - I already have pipe clamps so using them with struts will work perfect and better than the wooden cauls that I use. I loved that stratocaster scene - got a good laugh out of it!
As a mechanical engineer, I am indeed impressed by your truly innovative solutions! Well done. Reminds me of some crazy designs I’ve come up with over the years. Some even were patented! Keep it up sir!
great minds think alike. i came up with my own version of these after nearly choking to death on how much the rockler clamps cost a few years ago. I fabricated something very similar to the mechanism in the rocker clamps. That was a lot of work. I really like some of your ideas much better. 1-it’s quicker to modify a clamp, 2-Harbor Freight has cheap yet good clamps. I’m going to use your ideas when I need additional clamps.
I think you did an amazing job presenting your clamp ideas. Some were BRILLIANT. The one comment that said watching your videos was a waist of time among other things. That type of comments are uncalled for and demonstrates his level of thinking and how myopic his views truly are. I enjoyed your ideas and most of all your personality. Great ideas with a fantastic presentation. I subscribed to your channel. I let guys like you do the thinking and the planning for me. Good Job and very well done! Some people….. they are just simply better than than many of us. LIVE BIG & SPEND IT ALL. TS, PORTLAND
Ive been using strut channel around the shop for 40+yrs. Having a Dad in the electrical industry sure helped. I use it for lumber racks, tool racks, roof racks, etc. I even used it to mount my 3 phase inverter above my service panel. Good stuff. Also, if you buy your threaded rod in the strut asile, you get 10 feet for the same price as a 3ft piece in the hdwr asile. Great video. Appreciate your no nonsense videos.
Did this same thing with some "unistrut" I got for free and needed some panel clamps before watching this. I also use wood shims to hold the wood tight together and 1x blocks to keep the "unistrut" off of the panels I and gluing. It really does work great!! You had some great ideas to improve it and I will definitely add some.
Genius.... I am kicking myself as I am an Electrician of nearly 30 yrs and was thinking of ways to caul my cutting boards and BAM... you solved my problem with something I have used almost everyday and have in my garage. Now, a tip..... you can easily modify the slots in the strut for a clamp instead of using bolts. Cut your strut to desired length, get a Bandsaw/sawall/hacksaw and at one end, cut inside the channel down to the first slot, do this on each side to create a LONGER slot that now clamps will just slide into. No bolts needed. I also created a Router jig made of 3/4" EMT for $30 that rivals any $500 to $900 Rockler/Woodpecker jig. Well, ok, not really rival but... it works great so..............
I've been using this method too. I'm a retired plumber and had some laying around, so I gave it a try. I've never seen those square washers for strut before, so thanks for showing those. They'll be perfect. Subscribed.
Just discovered this site. As an experimental physicist who needs all kinds of not only custom parts, but custom solutions, this site is full of cool ideas that work.
I’ve used your Superstrut cauls on several projects and they are genius! My only real problem has been squeezed-out glue sticking to them, so I am going to try the tape you recommend. The handle-nuts look like a good upgrade, too. Thanks for the great ideas!
Big selling points for me with the mods that eliminate the horizontal pipe clamps are cost and less mess. Schedule 40 pipe and pipe clamps do cost some decent money and take up space in a small shop. They do get covered in squeeze out, which you can wipe off or scrape off when you are done, but what I don't like is having to work around them to clean up squeeze out during the glue up. This would let the squeeze out start to harden up, and still allow easy access to come back through with a scraper to clean in up without removing and clamps until the glue is fully cured.
On your first video I thought to myself I have seen this before, as I have had those in my shop for years and don't know where I got the idea. But this video - hands down original, you knocked it out of the park.
What an interesting - and clever - idea! I’m actually getting ready to make some counters, and I came SO close to ordering those $120 Rockler clamps. What makes it crazy is that I have the strut on hand. (BTW, I saw at least one strut nut being used upside-down. The nuts are intended to ride inside the strut, with that plastic cone holding the nut to the rails - the nuts can slide, but not fall out.) Nor did I know of the handle nuts or magnetic washers - thanks!) Let the skeptics snipe from the sidelines, but I’m sure the strut bends less under pressure than the lighter sheet metal of the Rockler clamps. Strut is specifically designed to not flex. I’m not sure about the modified C-clamps. I think I’ll just continue to use separate clamps to push the board edges together. I understand the fear of the edges of the strut leaving marks in the wood. If your material is that soft you probably want to use a length of bar stock or a board to spread the force out anyways. My one concern is the metal leaving rust stains, caused by the wet glue. You solved that with a bit of tape.
One of the best videos ive seen recently. Love that you are spreading the word about UHMW/Slick tape - uses for it appear more than I could’ve imagined. There’s also a place in my shop for the inverse - friction tape. Perfect solution to ensure the work stays in place on the surface of jigs such as the coping sled.
THIS IS AWESOME!! I'm starting woodworking on a budget and love the combo system idea with super strut with modified C-clamps for a glue up. Thanks for sharing Dumond😄👍
This was excellent. I love watching your videos progress in quality. The original idea was great but all your improvements brings it up to just genius. I will add to my list of things to make. Thanks for your work on this video.
Thanks very much. This video was cursed from beginning to end from a quality standpoint. Original audio wasn’t in sync, all the b roll was the wrong frame rate, you name it, everything went wrong. I am happy I could even finish it 😂
Hey Lee! I’d like to say something positive about your videos! I would like to think that over 3/4 of your viewers are watching as like most beginners in a wood working shop we are constantly looking for a cheaper way to accomplish the goal of meeting our goals. Hinting to jigs as we all either take or make an idea to help assist us in our tasks. Adapt, improvise, and overcome obstacles in life in general. Unfortunately you got a bunch of folks that don’t like anything but their way. I’m sure you wanna tell them where to stick their comments as negative energy builds. Everyone has an idea or different approach to solve problems in life however you’re actually sharing it and shedding some light to it. I personally like your approach and believe it’s worth it. I can absolutely careless what others think. Creators like yourself deserve credit regardless of your videos. You among others are what inspires other ideas that maybe leads to something new or better. I encourage you to continue your quest and TRY really hard to stay clear of the negativity in comments. Your strength comes from your viewers that believe in YOU! Keep up the amazing content!!
I keep watching this video because it has so many neat ideas. For horizontal clamping, IMO the wedge/shims seem the best option for ease of use, cost, and coverage. Probably over thinking it, but with the modified C clamp and only 2 cauls, it seems like I wouldn't get even horizontal pressure especially in the middle or ends. Consider 45 degree angles out from the point of horizontal clamping, and you should get some overlap if you want to avoid gaps in your seams, especially if the pieces you are edge gluing have a bit of bend to them. Minor niggle, but something I think the wedges address better.
I made these clamping cauls and LOVE them ! Now time to upgrade with some clamps I was wondering what I was going to use for! LOVE your ideas!! Now for a cheap easy drum sander.....lol
Great ideas Knuckles. I like you “keep it simple” approach. Certainly beats the high price factor of some big name clamping solutions. I knew those pieces of Unistrut I have been hoarding would come in useful.
Great content. I enjoy your ingenuity and realize the time it takes to make that content. I've made shelves with uni strut and threaded rod from the garage ceiling and a two by four on the wall. That stuff is STRONG.
This is some of the most useful information I've seen on any woodworking channel. I'm going to build some clamping culls like these. Than you very much.
I bought the thicker Unistrut in 10 foot lengths and then cut them into thirds so I have a total of 6 each about 3'-4" long. Gives me a lot of flexibility for projects based on my shop size even up to a table top. I use the open side of the strut facing the wood and covered them with cheap painters tape to help prevent glue sticking, and easy replacement if I ever feel it's needed.
Hey great idea, I very rarely get any good ideas from woodworking videos. this is a legit tip. Now, how about taking it one step farther and figuring out how to use super strut to make a 4 direction clamp, it's the next logical progression of your work. Retail versions are 2-$300 to clamp a 4' panel. If you can figure out the hardware you could save everyone a ton of money and make a ton for yourself. People have been trying to make a reasonably priced 4 way clamp forever, I think you're the guy. Good Luck
Perfect I’ve been considering making these but in my mind thought something is missing, now I know what. For thin panels .25 thick this is a perfect solution, and the wedges will work. For thicker panels the clamps will suffice, point being glue it up move it out of the way, get more done!
When you showed horizontal clamping using wedges, wouldn't it have been better to place the wedges with the wide end toward the center, since that's where you want more pressure? It might be a little more awkward tapping them with a mallet, but you're smart. You'll figure something out. Love your channel.
Fantastic logic, and I love all the solutions you came up with. Not sure if it has been mentioned in the comments yet, but with the wedges you could use another clamp across to pull them together offering a more even pressure and much less likely to pop out...
Very seldom do I actually follow any TH-cam woodworkers. I am jaded from the 2015ish era. But ever now and again TH-cam will feed me something I actually like. This was awesome. There are so many simple solutions I never try and work out for my self because I am a time is money guy, and I'd rather just go buy stuff. This video has inspired me to 1. Actually do this. But also 2. Think before I spend. I know it sounds silly. But for some of us, money is not a huge problem, but its nice to save. The problem is more time, and effort. The thing I like about this vs other cheap solutions is typically you're giving something up. Not here. Its not a huge time, or money investment, and it actually gives you more flexibility and options. This is simply brilliant. Any compliment I can give you is honestly not enough.
Thanks for this awesome comment. To be honest, I don’t really invent things to save money. I approach it as more of a mental exercise. When I find myself needing a device to do something, I always try to come up with my own thing first, and it becomes kind of a game. Often I become more absorbed in that part than actually making the original project. I often spend days, even weeks thinking about how to do things differently. It certainly makes my time in the shop a lot more interesting.
Money is not an issue here, but advantage is you can have lots of U channel sizes for different projects which save on floor space. Most of the plastic quickgrips are garbage and eventually slip.
Thanks for the video. I wish more people would apply themselves to coming up with solutions rather than just buying someone else's "solution". Great stuff.
I was quite happy to see this video has i have 4 x 30" lengths of the shallow uni strut, left from a project that i've been wanting to do something with. Out of interest in the UK we call the spring nuts 'Zebs', after a childrens tv character called Zeberdee, who was on a show called the magic roundabout.
Excellent video. I've been experimenting with these struts and have used some to make an elevator in my (very small) shop. I love your ideas and hope you don't mind if I copy some.
What a great idea with the modified C clamps. For me personally the strut clamps mixed with the pipe clamps would be the way to go for me. Pipe clamps are not all that expensive and I can also help things out by clamping my glue up on both sides with the pipe clams. As for protecting the struts from the glue, I’m cheap, just use packing tape. 14:01
The C clamp idea was just kind of a “proof of concept” if you will, and a response to those comments in the first video that it couldn’t be done. I agree pipe clamps are probably more practical.
@ I actually made up 6 cull clams out of a 2x6. I ripped them in half long ways to make 1x3’s. I put feet on one side so they stand up on their own. Fixed them to bolt together. Covered them with packing tape so the glue will not stick to them. For the bolts I used 1/2” nuts and washers. Then I took an old 3/4 wrench and cut off a piece of what was left and welded to the box end of the wrens to make a big wing nut out of it. Between those and some pipe clamps I can clamp up a pretty nice cutting board. You seem like you like to make interesting solutions to wood working problems. I have a little project you might like. I got the idea from another video. Dig around your scrap pile and make yourself a long drawer that will fit inside the square tubing that your table saw fence clamps to. I made one for each side of my saw. Great place to keep a few pencils, small flat ruler, a couple of 1-2-3 blocks. I found them to be very handy. I had to get creative about the 1/4 20 bolts that stuck through.
😢 just amazing, I've been trying to figure out how i could do just this and was ready to start trying random stuff, then bam, here you are to the rescue!! Thank you so very much for such a simple solution 😊
There is nothing I can add 🤯 , but an additional comment for the algorithm. Exceptional channel… I mean above and beyond well edited and thought through videos. Very entertaining and informative. Great way to start my day and as long as I can achieve well jointed edges, I’ll know what to do from there. Thank you 🙏🏼 if I’m not subscribed, I will be now. Great sponsor choice too. 👍🏼
Damn that was absolutely wild. This is so cool and exactly the kind of out-of-the-box thinking I need more of to train my hobby skill brain. My goal is to start building a woodworking station without buying a ton of fancy tools. This was a great way to start that long journey. ❤
Very nice. I love the way the wood working community has such fun sense of humor. I love the cameos in your video ...I think I am going to go out and get some of this material and keep it on hand ..
Excelent video. Thank you for sharing these panel clamps. I have been on the verge of buying a couple of the Rockler sets every time I am in their store, this will save me.
Lessons, Tips & Techniques... it's all in here. and I have those Metals but without holes in it, .. I'll just put holes and use it in my Wall Mount Folding Table project. Thank you sir.
@@BustedKnuckleWoodworks for now I keep visualizing what to do to make an angle grinder slide using tubulars pipes without using wielding machine hehehe
If you use clamps for the struts and have the clamping pressure over/under your work piece these struts shouldn't bend. Bending happens when the pressure is applied on the unsupported region. Then again, you can use e.g. silicone baking surface or excercise bands as a protection for the wood (on both sides) and if it's just the right thickness it'll help with force distribution.
Awesome stuff Lee! I'm just going out on a limb here and say that during the Stratocaster clip a mullet wig and a overly intense screaming guitar sound would have been a good touch (and 5 hours of your life you would never get back). I'm absolutely going to do this (not the mullet and guitar thing but the other glue up thingy) when I get to my next big glue up. Thank you and be well!
@ Makes sense. You’d need your bolts pretty close to the edge of your panel. Keep up the good work. The woodworking world needs more of your cost-effective solutions.
Very good content, entertaining and informative. Really good ideas presented repurposing those clamps to work with the struts. Very nice, sir. subscribed!
Hi Lee, I recently found you and I love the videos. I am a beginner trying to do woodworking as a hobby. I thought about using the strut channels as a straight edge reference when squaring a board. Reason for that is because I don't have the money or space for a table saw or even a miter saw. So the idea was to use the strut channel as a fence for a plunge router and that way making square boards of larger lengths. Let me know if you have tried that. I would like to know if the strut channels are straight enough for that use case. Thank you for the funny and informational videos.
If you take my suggestion below, and put them on 4 tangs of metal and put 2 bolts through the unistruts on each side, parallel to the slats of the board . (for each bolt above and below 2 lengths of metal/wood on the bolt, 1 on each side of the unistrut connecting to the bolt through the vertical cam to make V-flexing attachments to the unistrut. Turn the cam, it pulls down on the unistruts and pushes the wood together at the same time. Make the same thing that they made but with wooden cams and drilled struts. Dowel between the holes in the struts, for strength in the V-flex connecting struts?
If you missed Part 1 of this video, here it is 😀 th-cam.com/video/vzhILT7axcA/w-d-xo.html
Would you please give us a link for the UHMW tape, and data like brand, dimensions, has glue or adhesive backing? Thanks for a great pair of videos!
My intended use for the UHMW tape (in addition to your proposed use), is to line sliding surfaces to reduce friction and "stick-slip" friction, like when making my DIY Track Saw from aluminum profile and needing the saw "sled carriage" for my circular saw to slide perfectly against the aluminum profile!
Best regards from Mexico and let's keep designing and making those factory overexpensive accesories by ourselves!
@@alfredomarquez9777 I will add a link to the description
This is awesome, a builder building their own tools again, like the old days :)
8 times stronger sir!
Re your: “makes it more than twice as strong”..
Bending resistance is width x height x height x height (times a constant for the material)
Width in this case is the steel thickness x two (as there are two side walls)
So: 2 times the height = 8 times stronger bending resistance. (2x2x2)
3 times higher = 27 times stronger
The beam height makes all the difference 😎
Kind regards
Anders
Sweden
@@tomfull6637 you are right, it’s not a constant ratio. I screwed up the math on this one. Anyway, the point was that it’s a lot stronger. 😉
This is one of the most underrated woodworking channels on TH-cam. Everything you put out is incredible! Keep it up!
I agree! Waaaaay underrated 👇
@@BustedKnuckleWoodworks and look at this. You're a man of the people!
You and Mathew Peech should do a video together!!
You are top notch!!
@@scottbyrd2157 I would do it! He probably doesn’t know I exist though 😂
@@BustedKnuckleWoodworks you should reach out to him. You both could have a great video.
Brilliant. This is the difference between a woodworker with a TH-cam channel and a TH-camr that does woodworking.
Thanks for the compliment!
Too many people now days get hung up on semantics instead of the message. So glad I found your channel. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME A TON OF MONEY!!!
I agree! It's about getting the job done. 🙂
Thank you for providing an oasis of sanity in an insane world of “You must buy all these expensive tools to be a woodworker.” I want to save my money for wood to make stuff, not have a super fancy workshop. You help me remember that and find ways to do it.
Well said!
This is how my grandfather thought. I've always admired 'Redneck Engineering.'
Just a few days ago I had an impossible seam to caulk. I jerry rigged up my own 'tool' with a straw, some wire, and some electrical tape. (Courtesy of youtube.) When I showed my husband my little hack - and my perfectly caulked seam - I was so proud of myself.
He grumbled, "Don't they make an actual *tool* for that?"
I smiled brightly and said, "They sure do! It's $16.99 plus tax from Amazon. I can grab one right now if you think that's better. Want me to remove the caulk I did and redo it with the right tool? It'll only add about three days to this job."
His eyes widened and he said, "No. This is fine."
My turn to grumble. "Then you'd better be REALLY happy and enthusiastic about my solution and tell me how great of a job I did or I'm buying it right now."
To his credit, he did laugh and lavished praise upon my greatness.
Honestly, we can all be nickled and dimed to death if we don't MacGyver what we can. I can't believe how fast the money goes out the window lately.
I've been in the construction business for nearly 50 years and never thought of using strut in my panel glue-ups. Thanks for the idea and you just got another subscriber.
Welcome aboard David 🫡
The idea to apply pressure on the horizontal axis is sooooo neat! Fantastic video!
Thanks bud!
I've used this for the last 30 + years for plumbing drains, water lines, and gas lines, unit heaters etc. and now I have another use for it, thanks.
Many, many uses for this stuff!
A dollar is not a cheap thing to me!!! you’re one of the best web sites on utube thank you so much
Appreciate the kind words! I always strive for the best bang for my bucks!
Well someone finally caught up. I made 6 sets of culls using UniStrurt over 35 years ago. At that time the various hole options were not available. I ended up filing out numerous holes on one rail (36" long) to accept 1/2" carriage bolts. On the opposinging rail I made some hardwood blocks to lock into the rail opening. I use springs over the carriage bolts to lift the top rail up. Clamping is done using large palm knobs. Not quite sure why tons of force is needed to clamp the glue up. If the boards are not of a uniform thickness or cupped (quality of workmanship), all the clamping in the world will not make make the glue up any better. These only need to be tightened enough to ensure properly prepared stock is level level plane to one another. Moving away from pipe clamps to some built in method is dependant on the frequency of use. Daily/Weekly, yes. Occasionally not needed.
Agree with everything you said. A lot of stuff in this video I only did to show it was possible and to answer the comments from the first video (there were literally thousands). In the first video I only used wing nuts on the bolts because I don’t tighten them very hard at all.
I've discovered your video's today and after watching 3 of them I'm building casters for a workbench, a bottomless sled, and these clamps! I'm glad that I saw these before I bought expensive alternatives. Thanks
Brilliant solutions! I especially like the wedges.
Can’t get more economical than that!
The wedges not being cool are why I like them so much!
@@scottreynoldswoodworking Wedges ARE cool!
@@scottreynoldswoodworking 😂
I love this idea! Maybe someone else already said this, but the stiffness of a beam depends on its cross sectional geometry, particularly the "height" (what you measured as 13/16 and 1 5/8). All else equal, the stiffness will be proportional to the square of the height). So, since the standard is 2x as high as the low-profile, it will be approximately 4 times as stiff. Technically, you are correct - more than 2 times stronger - but that's an understatement! Thanks for all the great information in this video!!
@@dmooreca2 “Technically, I was correct” is what I’m having inscribed on my tombstone
I knew this but didn’t know how to explain it. Good job.
The strut channels attached to casters and angle brackets are also great for making dollies and mobile bases.
And shelving units too! 👍
Great solutions - I already have pipe clamps so using them with struts will work perfect and better than the wooden cauls that I use. I loved that stratocaster scene - got a good laugh out of it!
The long album-cut version is in the first video 😁
As a mechanical engineer, I am indeed impressed by your truly innovative solutions! Well done. Reminds me of some crazy designs I’ve come up with over the years. Some even were patented! Keep it up sir!
I'm glad you liked it! It's always rewarding to hear from people who get what we're trying to do here.
great minds think alike. i came up with my own version of these after nearly choking to death on how much the rockler clamps cost a few years ago. I fabricated something very similar to the mechanism in the rocker clamps. That was a lot of work. I really like some of your ideas much better. 1-it’s quicker to modify a clamp, 2-Harbor Freight has cheap yet good clamps. I’m going to use your ideas when I need additional clamps.
Yeah, used a lot of Harbor Freight clamps for the prototypes!
I think you did an amazing job presenting your clamp ideas. Some were BRILLIANT. The one comment that said watching your videos was a waist of time among other things. That type of comments are uncalled for and demonstrates his level of thinking and how myopic his views truly are. I enjoyed your ideas and most of all your personality. Great ideas with a fantastic presentation. I subscribed to your channel. I let guys like you do the thinking and the planning for me. Good Job and very well done! Some people….. they are just simply better than than many of us. LIVE BIG & SPEND IT ALL. TS, PORTLAND
Thanks very much! Portland is my hometown! (The one in Maine 😁)
I like the strut cauls, simple and cheap. However, I think the pipe clamps are the Easiest solution for squeezing the boards for glue up.
@@jamesomalley4257 I actually agree with you. Just wanted to show the haters from the first video that it could be done!
Ive been using strut channel around the shop for 40+yrs. Having a Dad in the electrical industry sure helped. I use it for lumber racks, tool racks, roof racks, etc.
I even used it to mount my 3 phase inverter above my service panel. Good stuff. Also, if you buy your threaded rod in the strut asile, you get 10 feet for the same price as a 3ft piece in the hdwr asile. Great video. Appreciate your no nonsense videos.
Glad you enjoyed it! Strut channel is super versatile.
Lots of great ideas. I built my set when I watched the first video.
I'm glad to be part of your workshop!
Nicely done. Lots of variations to the original design here. Thanks for the recommendation.
Thanks to my viewers, they had lots of great ideas!
There's always the joy of using the tools that you made on projects. It's a priceless feeling.
@@anthonyseiver7000 yeah, there’s a lot of satisfaction in it. Plus, more $$$ for wood!
You're my kinda carpenter! I have a thirty year old piece of that strut in my shed. I think I can use it for something now!
Aren’t you glad you kept it now?
Did this same thing with some "unistrut" I got for free and needed some panel clamps before watching this. I also use wood shims to hold the wood tight together and 1x blocks to keep the "unistrut" off of the panels I and gluing.
It really does work great!!
You had some great ideas to improve it and I will definitely add some.
Cool!
Genius.... I am kicking myself as I am an Electrician of nearly 30 yrs and was thinking of ways to caul my cutting boards and BAM... you solved my problem with something I have used almost everyday and have in my garage. Now, a tip..... you can easily modify the slots in the strut for a clamp instead of using bolts. Cut your strut to desired length, get a Bandsaw/sawall/hacksaw and at one end, cut inside the channel down to the first slot, do this on each side to create a LONGER slot that now clamps will just slide into. No bolts needed. I also created a Router jig made of 3/4" EMT for $30 that rivals any $500 to $900 Rockler/Woodpecker jig. Well, ok, not really rival but... it works great so..............
That’s a great tip for making it even better!
I've been using this method too. I'm a retired plumber and had some laying around, so I gave it a try. I've never seen those square washers for strut before, so thanks for showing those. They'll be perfect. Subscribed.
@@Gazman299 I use the no-spin saddle washers quite a bit actually.
@@BustedKnuckleWoodworks It was a good video. Thanks again.
I am new to woodworking and get SO much useful information from these videos. Thank you.
I’m glad you’re finding the videos helpful!
Definitely underrated. Great advice and super funny. Thank you for a great channel.
I’m so glad you like the channel, makes it all worth it.
@BustedKnuckleWoodworks don't miss a video. Greetings from South Africa.
@@riaan6421 I want to visit there someday!
Just discovered this site. As an experimental physicist who needs all kinds of not only custom parts, but custom solutions, this site is full of cool ideas that work.
Just doing my part for science 🫡
A+ for all the hard work of testing and refining these ideas. the simplicity and economy of the result is impressive
It was definitely a lot of work
I’ve used your Superstrut cauls on several projects and they are genius! My only real problem has been squeezed-out glue sticking to them, so I am going to try the tape you recommend. The handle-nuts look like a good upgrade, too. Thanks for the great ideas!
That “Malecki” tape works great 😊
Big selling points for me with the mods that eliminate the horizontal pipe clamps are cost and less mess. Schedule 40 pipe and pipe clamps do cost some decent money and take up space in a small shop. They do get covered in squeeze out, which you can wipe off or scrape off when you are done, but what I don't like is having to work around them to clean up squeeze out during the glue up. This would let the squeeze out start to harden up, and still allow easy access to come back through with a scraper to clean in up without removing and clamps until the glue is fully cured.
Outstanding! You remind me of my dad. The creativity you and he used is remarkable either for cost or a better way. Thank you
That’s the best compliment, thanks!
On your first video I thought to myself I have seen this before, as I have had those in my shop for years and don't know where I got the idea. But this video - hands down original, you knocked it out of the park.
Thanks 🙏 Gotta swing for those fences!
What an interesting - and clever - idea! I’m actually getting ready to make some counters, and I came SO close to ordering those $120 Rockler clamps. What makes it crazy is that I have the strut on hand.
(BTW, I saw at least one strut nut being used upside-down. The nuts are intended to ride inside the strut, with that plastic cone holding the nut to the rails - the nuts can slide, but not fall out.)
Nor did I know of the handle nuts or magnetic washers - thanks!)
Let the skeptics snipe from the sidelines, but I’m sure the strut bends less under pressure than the lighter sheet metal of the Rockler clamps. Strut is specifically designed to not flex.
I’m not sure about the modified C-clamps. I think I’ll just continue to use separate clamps to push the board edges together.
I understand the fear of the edges of the strut leaving marks in the wood. If your material is that soft you probably want to use a length of bar stock or a board to spread the force out anyways.
My one concern is the metal leaving rust stains, caused by the wet glue. You solved that with a bit of tape.
Glad I saved you from buying those overpriced clamps! 👍🤑
One of the best videos ive seen recently. Love that you are spreading the word about UHMW/Slick tape - uses for it appear more than I could’ve imagined. There’s also a place in my shop for the inverse - friction tape. Perfect solution to ensure the work stays in place on the surface of jigs such as the coping sled.
It definitely is a game changer!
I like your enginuity, but also like the how you show simple is just as effective and bit of a time saver once you have cut out wedges.
You betcha
THIS IS AWESOME!!
I'm starting woodworking on a budget and love the combo system idea with super strut with modified C-clamps for a glue up.
Thanks for sharing Dumond😄👍
I’m on a budget too 👍
Great solution my dude. With that added C clamp, you’ve made a full on wood torture device!
@@Stillworks hmm 🤔 you’ve just given me an idea…
By far this is the best panel glueup afordable idea! thanks for the tip! It could even replace expensive 4 way clamps in my shop.
I agree! It's a game-changer.
Thanks!
Wow 😮 only the second Super Thanks I’ve ever gotten! Imma be rich 💰
This is great! It's like 80/20 but without the ridiculous markup!
Yeah dude! 👍
This was excellent. I love watching your videos progress in quality. The original idea was great but all your improvements brings it up to just genius. I will add to my list of things to make. Thanks for your work on this video.
Thanks very much. This video was cursed from beginning to end from a quality standpoint. Original audio wasn’t in sync, all the b roll was the wrong frame rate, you name it, everything went wrong. I am happy I could even finish it 😂
Hey Lee! I’d like to say something positive about your videos! I would like to think that over 3/4 of your viewers are watching as like most beginners in a wood working shop we are constantly looking for a cheaper way to accomplish the goal of meeting our goals. Hinting to jigs as we all either take or make an idea to help assist us in our tasks. Adapt, improvise, and overcome obstacles in life in general. Unfortunately you got a bunch of folks that don’t like anything but their way. I’m sure you wanna tell them where to stick their comments as negative energy builds. Everyone has an idea or different approach to solve problems in life however you’re actually sharing it and shedding some light to it. I personally like your approach and believe it’s worth it. I can absolutely careless what others think. Creators like yourself deserve credit regardless of your videos. You among others are what inspires other ideas that maybe leads to something new or better.
I encourage you to continue your quest and TRY really hard to stay clear of the negativity in comments. Your strength comes from your viewers that believe in YOU!
Keep up the amazing content!!
I keep watching this video because it has so many neat ideas. For horizontal clamping, IMO the wedge/shims seem the best option for ease of use, cost, and coverage. Probably over thinking it, but with the modified C clamp and only 2 cauls, it seems like I wouldn't get even horizontal pressure especially in the middle or ends. Consider 45 degree angles out from the point of horizontal clamping, and you should get some overlap if you want to avoid gaps in your seams, especially if the pieces you are edge gluing have a bit of bend to them. Minor niggle, but something I think the wedges address better.
You could use a slimmer piece of strut channel to give a much more rigid surface to press against.
I made these clamping cauls and LOVE them ! Now time to upgrade with some clamps I was wondering what I was going to use for! LOVE your ideas!! Now for a cheap easy drum sander.....lol
Hmm 🤔 I bet I could invent a drum sander lol
Thank you for your inventive, humorous and economical solution to wide glue-ups. I definitely will be making some of these. Keep up the good work!
Go for it, have fun!
Great ideas Knuckles. I like you “keep it simple” approach. Certainly beats the high price factor of some big name clamping solutions. I knew those pieces of Unistrut I have been hoarding would come in useful.
Yup! It’s all about working smarter, not harder!
Great content. I enjoy your ingenuity and realize the time it takes to make that content. I've made shelves with uni strut and threaded rod from the garage ceiling and a two by four on the wall. That stuff is STRONG.
Unistrut is amazing!
Fantastic! Now I just need to remember to buy and construct these calls before my next big glue up.
Definitely 👍
You show great imagination in creating jigs. Well done!
Thanks! That’s a huge compliment.
This is some of the most useful information I've seen on any woodworking channel. I'm going to build some clamping culls like these. Than you very much.
Glad it was helpful, go for it!
I bought the thicker Unistrut in 10 foot lengths and then cut them into thirds so I have a total of 6 each about 3'-4" long. Gives me a lot of flexibility for projects based on my shop size even up to a table top. I use the open side of the strut facing the wood and covered them with cheap painters tape to help prevent glue sticking, and easy replacement if I ever feel it's needed.
Very good 2nd video. I've been using spur shelving rods as a kinda substitute for the parts you use. Works OK
@@clemmcguinness1087 interesting idea 💡
This an excellent developed idea. Nice work!
Thanks for watching, glad you liked it ☺️
Hey great idea, I very rarely get any good ideas from woodworking videos. this is a legit tip. Now, how about taking it one step farther and figuring out how to use super strut to make a 4 direction clamp, it's the next logical progression of your work. Retail versions are 2-$300 to clamp a 4' panel. If you can figure out the hardware you could save everyone a ton of money and make a ton for yourself. People have been trying to make a reasonably priced 4 way clamp forever, I think you're the guy. Good Luck
You didn’t watch the whole video did you? 🤔
Perfect I’ve been considering making these but in my mind thought something is missing, now I know what. For thin panels .25 thick this is a perfect solution, and the wedges will work. For thicker panels the clamps will suffice, point being glue it up move it out of the way, get more done!
As I pointed out, can’t do thin panels with those fancy store bought contraptions
When you showed horizontal clamping using wedges, wouldn't it have been better to place the wedges with the wide end toward the center, since that's where you want more pressure? It might be a little more awkward tapping them with a mallet, but you're smart. You'll figure something out.
Love your channel.
This is one of the best ideas I have seen in a while. Keep up the great work.
I appreciate it!
Mate, I love your approach and banter.
Great videos.
Much appreciated!
Fantastic logic, and I love all the solutions you came up with. Not sure if it has been mentioned in the comments yet, but with the wedges you could use another clamp across to pull them together offering a more even pressure and much less likely to pop out...
That has been mentioned, it’s a valid point.
Very seldom do I actually follow any TH-cam woodworkers. I am jaded from the 2015ish era. But ever now and again TH-cam will feed me something I actually like. This was awesome. There are so many simple solutions I never try and work out for my self because I am a time is money guy, and I'd rather just go buy stuff. This video has inspired me to 1. Actually do this. But also 2. Think before I spend. I know it sounds silly. But for some of us, money is not a huge problem, but its nice to save. The problem is more time, and effort. The thing I like about this vs other cheap solutions is typically you're giving something up. Not here. Its not a huge time, or money investment, and it actually gives you more flexibility and options. This is simply brilliant. Any compliment I can give you is honestly not enough.
Thanks for this awesome comment. To be honest, I don’t really invent things to save money. I approach it as more of a mental exercise. When I find myself needing a device to do something, I always try to come up with my own thing first, and it becomes kind of a game. Often I become more absorbed in that part than actually making the original project. I often spend days, even weeks thinking about how to do things differently. It certainly makes my time in the shop a lot more interesting.
@@BustedKnuckleWoodworks It shows. You've inspired me and taught me a lot.
Money is not an issue here, but advantage is you can have lots of U channel sizes for different projects which save on floor space. Most of the plastic quickgrips are garbage and eventually slip.
Thanks for the video. I wish more people would apply themselves to coming up with solutions rather than just buying someone else's "solution". Great stuff.
That’s what I’m trying to do!
enjoying your channel and humorous dialogue as well as simple innovations
Thanks! That's exactly the vibe I'm going for.
thank you for this video
I will be making some for myself soon!
The final product was fantastic! Let it be known that THIS was the video that made me a subscriber!
That’s awesome! I’m glad you liked it 👍
I’ve watched lots of these but your system is tops.
Thanks for saying so 🤩
I was quite happy to see this video has i have 4 x 30" lengths of the shallow uni strut, left from a project that i've been wanting to do something with. Out of interest in the UK we call the spring nuts 'Zebs', after a childrens tv character called Zeberdee, who was on a show called the magic roundabout.
Weird. Did Zeb have a spring in his butt too? 😂
I love your ingenuity - the C clamp use is top shelf!
Glad you like it!
I must say, these are great ideas. And, encourage people to keep thinking.
You can think your way through anything I always say
Excellent video. I've been experimenting with these struts and have used some to make an elevator in my (very small) shop. I love your ideas and hope you don't mind if I copy some.
Of course, copy away!
You are a clever man! Thumbs up!
Thanks, I try!
What a great idea with the modified C clamps. For me personally the strut clamps mixed with the pipe clamps would be the way to go for me. Pipe clamps are not all that expensive and I can also help things out by clamping my glue up on both sides with the pipe clams.
As for protecting the struts from the glue, I’m cheap, just use packing tape. 14:01
The C clamp idea was just kind of a “proof of concept” if you will, and a response to those comments in the first video that it couldn’t be done. I agree pipe clamps are probably more practical.
@ I actually made up 6 cull clams out of a 2x6. I ripped them in half long ways to make 1x3’s. I put feet on one side so they stand up on their own. Fixed them to bolt together. Covered them with packing tape so the glue will not stick to them. For the bolts I used 1/2” nuts and washers. Then I took an old 3/4 wrench and cut off a piece of what was left and welded to the box end of the wrens to make a big wing nut out of it. Between those and some pipe clamps I can clamp up a pretty nice cutting board.
You seem like you like to make interesting solutions to wood working problems. I have a little project you might like. I got the idea from another video. Dig around your scrap pile and make yourself a long drawer that will fit inside the square tubing that your table saw fence clamps to. I made one for each side of my saw. Great place to keep a few pencils, small flat ruler, a couple of 1-2-3 blocks. I found them to be very handy. I had to get creative about the 1/4 20 bolts that stuck through.
😢 just amazing, I've been trying to figure out how i could do just this and was ready to start trying random stuff, then bam, here you are to the rescue!! Thank you so very much for such a simple solution 😊
Glad I could help!
Really like your content and how you show your progress and refinements to the clamp design.
Thank you very much!
I love the way you make things easy! Bravo!
Thanks, that’s the goal!
Brilliant ideas! Can't wait to implement them myself. Thank you!
@@JohnnyFYX My pleasure! 😇
There is nothing I can add 🤯 , but an additional comment for the algorithm. Exceptional channel… I mean above and beyond well edited and thought through videos. Very entertaining and informative. Great way to start my day and as long as I can achieve well jointed edges, I’ll know what to do from there. Thank you 🙏🏼 if I’m not subscribed, I will be now. Great sponsor choice too. 👍🏼
So nice of you to say. Made my day!
Damn that was absolutely wild. This is so cool and exactly the kind of out-of-the-box thinking I need more of to train my hobby skill brain.
My goal is to start building a woodworking station without buying a ton of fancy tools. This was a great way to start that long journey. ❤
Sounds like a great plan for you! Keep us posted on how it goes.
Very nice. I love the way the wood working community has such fun sense of humor. I love the cameos in your video ...I think I am going to go out and get some of this material and keep it on hand ..
Thanks 🙏 I’m glad you appreciate the humor!
Excelent video. Thank you for sharing these panel clamps. I have been on the verge of buying a couple of the Rockler sets every time I am in their store, this will save me.
Glad it was helpful!
Really enjoy your videos. I have already used your superstrut idea and will be trying a clamping solution like this one as well. Thanks!
That’s awesome to hear, I’m glad these worked out for you!
Great refinements. I wouldn't have considered wedges for this setup, good tip!
Yeah, definitely works
Lessons, Tips & Techniques... it's all in here. and I have those Metals but without holes in it, .. I'll just put holes and use it in my Wall Mount Folding Table project. Thank you sir.
Awesome 👏 thanks for watching?
@@BustedKnuckleWoodworks for now I keep visualizing what to do to make an angle grinder slide using tubulars pipes without using wielding machine hehehe
If you use clamps for the struts and have the clamping pressure over/under your work piece these struts shouldn't bend. Bending happens when the pressure is applied on the unsupported region. Then again, you can use e.g. silicone baking surface or excercise bands as a protection for the wood (on both sides) and if it's just the right thickness it'll help with force distribution.
I do like your style of video, keep it up. thanks
Awesome stuff Lee! I'm just going out on a limb here and say that during the Stratocaster clip a mullet wig and a overly intense screaming guitar sound would have been a good touch (and 5 hours of your life you would never get back). I'm absolutely going to do this (not the mullet and guitar thing but the other glue up thingy) when I get to my next big glue up. Thank you and be well!
The clip was from the first video. That was before I started my wig collection!
Thank you for this excellent educational video. Carry On Sir!
Thanks, will do!
Hi Lee, great video. Your solution to applying horizontal force got me thinking. Could you just use a simple cam mechanism with the bolt as its axis?
I actually tried this but it doesn’t provide much travel unless you make them pretty large.
@ Makes sense. You’d need your bolts pretty close to the edge of your panel. Keep up the good work. The woodworking world needs more of your cost-effective solutions.
Very good content, entertaining and informative. Really good ideas presented repurposing those clamps to work with the struts. Very nice, sir. subscribed!
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Lee, I recently found you and I love the videos. I am a beginner trying to do woodworking as a hobby. I thought about using the strut channels as a straight edge reference when squaring a board. Reason for that is because I don't have the money or space for a table saw or even a miter saw. So the idea was to use the strut channel as a fence for a plunge router and that way making square boards of larger lengths. Let me know if you have tried that. I would like to know if the strut channels are straight enough for that use case.
Thank you for the funny and informational videos.
Strut channel is very straight and I have used it as both a router and a circular saw guide.
Lee what a great video with so many great ideas on clamping calls definitely going to give them a try. Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it my man 🙏
This is genius. Love your channel. I’m a new subscriber. These ideas are great. I plan to make some of these
@@steveferguson1232 Welcome aboard Steve! 🫡
It seems like you could mount that cannel to the wall. That might limit your flexibility, but it would clear up your benchtop.
Would have made it very difficult to film the video though…
Dorky but appealing. Good ideas and practical.
That’s the idea, thanks!
Nicely done! This saves me some trial & error!
I did all the trial and error part lol
@BustedKnuckleWoodworks Indeed you did! 👍
If you take my suggestion below, and put them on 4 tangs of metal and put 2 bolts through the unistruts on each side, parallel to the slats of the board . (for each bolt above and below 2 lengths of metal/wood on the bolt, 1 on each side of the unistrut connecting to the bolt through the vertical cam to make V-flexing attachments to the unistrut. Turn the cam, it pulls down on the unistruts and pushes the wood together at the same time. Make the same thing that they made but with wooden cams and drilled struts. Dowel between the holes in the struts, for strength in the V-flex connecting struts?
The taper in wooden cauls is called camber.
This is awesome and who doesn’t look for a project to do?! The manufacturing of this alone is appealing!
Making your own stuff is half the fun! 😁