My take on the DIY bar clamp.

[Peri]

Needing a few long clamps, and being too much of a skinflint to spend a large amount of cash on something I might only use a couple of times a year, I made some with bits and pieces I had (or found).

I closely followed FinnCrafted's youtube video, so if you're interested the process is laid out here www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAsJ5yS1CD0

Mine are massively over-engineered, with 2mm stainless plates and 4mm stainless through bolts !

I think all the nuts, bolts, washers, springs and allthread cost around £50. The 1" square bar was a 'find', the stainless sheet was scrap, and everything else was made.

I took a few pictures (when I remembered), and most of them were too blurry to use..... but here are a few.

Cutting the blocks at the start.


The handles were square stock, turned round and the slots milled.


This is the spring mechanism inside the sliding head.


Sanding the edges flat (ish) and square (ish)


Finished !

 

[clogs]

very nice....srap prices are the best....

 

[Peri]

'Finds' are good to

 

[Orraloon]

Those look pretty good and built to last. The fluted handles are a nice touch and some brass to set it all off. Got it all covered.
Regards
John

 

[Trainee neophyte]

Outstanding.

 

[Doug B]

Terrific job with the added bonus that there’s always extra pleasure in using tools you’ve made yourself.

 

[Peri]

A friend asked me "Which part of the bridge they are designed to replace?" haha

 

[Transit80]

They are things of beauty, its great when you can make these sort of things yourself, well done.