Wood Clamp

I was challenged to teaching groups of kids ages 12 to 18 in groups of 6 to 12, traditional wood working, using hand tools only (no power tools) at a living history museum. I made these clamps to secure the wood while they build their projects, and if any damage were to be done, it would be to the clamps and not the table. They can be used in assistance with any other projects at home. This is a simple project that does not require a lot of time and can be made from most types of wood. I hope you enjoy this project as much as have enjoyed bringing it to you.

I look forward to bringing you some of the projects (using these clamps) I taught the kids how to make such as: puzzle box, sliding lid box and more. If you ask any wood worker they will say any wood under 16" should be thrown out, not me I save it all.

• 2 each Clamp boards 2" X 5" X 15" Wood
• 1 each Side Board 1 1/2" wide X 2 1/2" deep X 15" Wood
• 2 each 1/2" Threaded rods 9" long
• 4 each 1/2"nuts (2 of nuts are square/hexagonal)
• 2 each 1/2" washers
• 3 each Lag bolts 3" long
• 1pkg Two part epoxy

Tools

2 "C" clamps used to hold wood clamp to either table or bench

Drill

1/4" Drill bit

3/8" Drill bit

1\2" Drill bit

3\4" Spade or Forstner bit

7\8" Spade or Forstner bit

9/16" Socket

Cut 1 piece of wood 1 1/2" X 2 1/2" X 15"

Cut two pieces of wood to measure 2" X 5" X 15, Clamp together for step 2.

To drill the holes measure 2" from top edge down make a mark across the board.(see first photo). Then measure 5" from each edge make a mark on the line (see second photo). Using a spade or forstner bit, drill 3/8" deep, using center mark that either the spade or forstner bit drill a 1/2" hole all the way through both board's (see last photo).

Install the threaded rods with the bolts on the rods. Using a pencil outline the bolts,(first two pictures) remove the rods. Using a hand chisel cut the opening to fit either the square or hex bolts.

After cutting your rod opening to fit the botls re-install the rods and bolts and secure them, pour a little bit of the two part epoxy to hold them in, (see the above photos).

To create the side board,use the 1 1/2" wide X 2 1/2" deep X 15" piece of wood. On one edge, drill 3 holes I counter sinked using 7/8" Spade or Forstner bit. Drill approximatley 1/2" deep. Then drill, using the center mark, I used a 3/8" drill bit and drilled all the way through the board. Clamp the side board to the clamp boards, I then used 1/4" drill bit, I drilled the three holes into the side board. Using 9/16" socket, I installed the three lag bolts, no glue was used because this can be changed to accomodate any table or bench.