Spring mitre clamp kit

[sneggysteve]

Anyone have any experience of these clamps?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spring-Mitre ... 2467321708

 

[Seiken]

I used them years ago.
1) They leave quite a mark on the frame, OK if you are going to paint.
2) Will hold a mitre together while glue goes off but not good enough if V nailing.

If you are making a number of frames (I'm thinking picture frames here) get a band clamp, the steel band type not fabric.

 

[custard]

They do leave a nasty mark, but they also have the massive benefit of delivering the pressure at 90 degrees to the glue line.

The problem with band clamps is they're actually trying to turn your square or rectangular frame into a circle. You can get away with it on heavier frames, but on lighter frames you can see as you tighten up a band clamp that the outside of the mitre joints will be tight, but the inside of mitre joints start to open up, the reason is the band clamp is bending the frame sides out in the middle.

You pays your money and you makes your choice.

 

[sneggysteve]

Thank you both for your comments

 

[AndyT]

A cheaper, simpler version is sometimes suggested in old books - sections cut from old bed or sofa springs. Should cost about thirty quid less too.

 

[MikeJhn]

I find the steel band clamp an absolute pain, it has a mind of its own and as Custard says tend to pull the frame out of shape, I tend to use a right angle vice clamp if I am going to V nail with my pusher in a drill press, I do use the spring clips if I am not too bothered about the marks they leave, but nobody has ever noticed them, after all they should be looking at the picture.

Mike

EDIT: mine are this type: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Collins-Mite ... Sw1VJZxecM

 

[MikeJhn]

Blast from the past, I now use this exclusively: LION Picture Framing Supplies Ltd makes the whole operation that much easier.