A load of crepe or not?

[Phil Pascoe]

From the new Axminster mail shot -

Active clamping
Even more important is the notion of "active clamping" which is when a forged steel clamp maintains its pressure, regardless of the condition of the timber. For example if a piece of timber with a relatively high moisture content were to be clamped in a warm workshop for an extended period there's every chance it would shrink. As timber contracts, the force applied to it will remain constant as the forged clamp will move with the timber. Conversely, the pressure aplied with a standard drop forged clamp will decrease as the timber shrinks.

:?

 

[MusicMan]

It could be true if the clamps are designed so that there is some elastic give in them, which will maintain at least some force when the timber shrinks. Otherwise I think your BS detector is working fine. There's probably enough give in virtually any clamps. In deed it might be an excuse for making them much flimsier!

 

[doctor Bob]

 

[NickN]

 

[tomatwark]

This is Axminster trying to improve their sales.

Sensible prices, proper stock levels, spares not stocked in China with a 6 week lead time would work better.

Maybe they should concentrate on the above and stop wasting time writing this crap.

 

[rafezetter]

total BS, and possibly a case to answer for misleading advertising.

Are they really trying to suggest that you can hand crank a metal clamp such that you introduce "stretched tension" into it that can ease back as the wood shrinks?

Stretch the metal, BEFORE crushing the wood?.....

what?? #-o

Ok I've just had a look and this entire article is about saying how cheaper clamps will distort over time if ...... excessive clamping force is applied . The entire article is about how their "new" range is much better, able to withstand up to 425kg of force.

I think "cheaper" and "excessive" are the two most pertinent words here, the rest looks to my untrained eye as bunk.

I've read that all you need to do is clamp enough to get squeeze out, and NO MORE, or you'll run the risk of glue starvation.

plus.... if your wood has time to shrink while in a glueup, just how slow is the grab of the glue??? Even cascamite which states could be many hours, would set up before the wood would shrink, unless you're working in the sahara of course....

 

[monkeybiter]

.... if your wood has time to shrink while in a glueup, just how slow is the grab of the glue???...

:lol: =D>

 

[Tasky]

Is this not why you clamp everything up, then go back in an hour or so and cinch everything, before returning to check periodically?
Who clamps up for "an extended period of time", anyway? That phrase usually means turning off the fridge because you're going on holiday, or draining the bike carbs and disconnecting the battery before you put it away for the winter.

Damn you, Nick.... I'm really hungry, now!!