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I had Favorited a couple of picture frame clamps one from "Mike in Wisconsin" and also "Dawn". I have several frames to build and my other sys was very frustrating to use. I decided now was the time do build my own. I basically use the sys Mike used with some minor changes. I drilled the first leg all the way through. Then I laid the first leg on top of second and drilled the first hole. I then took 1/4" dowel and inserted in hole through both legs. I then partially drilled marker holes in second leg using first leg as template so all would be the same. I then went back and finish drilling the holes. All the rest of the legs were did the same way. I cut the cross piece and countersunk the holes and used 1/4" carriage bolts and self locking nuts to attach arms. I glued and nailed a spacer piece to cross piece between the arms for support. I rounded all the corners where the legs attached to cross piece. I cut spacer pieces for legs to make same height as crossover piece as legs were mounted on top. I used 1/4" carriage bolts with regular nuts to bolt spacers thorough leg and clamp wedges. In going back and looking at Mikes sys I may later put a second cross piece on top for better support. When I am sure everything werks right I will cut the long bolts off and replace the reg nuts with wing nuts or possible do as Mike and insert nut in wood block for looks.

It is made from oak. Legs are 16" long & 1 1/2" wide, cross piece is 6" long & 1 1/2" wide, under leg spacers are 1 1/2" sq, clamp wedges are 2" sq.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
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535 Posts
excellent clamp buddy, favorited
thanks
 

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949 Posts
Well done Dewayne! I'm happy to see all the construction photos you added! I'm favoring this one!
Nice job!
Thanks for sharing!
 

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626 Posts
Thank you for the great post Dewayne. Favorited.
 

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Love it. The weakness of the commercial ones…like the one I bought, is that you tighten the clamp with a small wing-nut on a screw. Using a clamp makes a ton more sense

Nice job
 

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14 Posts
Dewayne that is one fine frame clamp. You keep giving me some great shop jigs to build will for sure add this to my favorites thanks for sharing this especially like that you added the measurements.
 

· In Loving Memory
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8,391 Posts
Looks great Dewayne. I wouldn't mind having a couple of these myself. It seems to me that two would be good for mitered boxes, one on the bottom and one on top.
 

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20,730 Posts
So I assume that you move the corner blocks to other holes so that based on the size of your frame, the pressure is as close to 45 deg as possible. Great idea.
 

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4,567 Posts
Nice clamp, Dewayne!!
 

· Premium Member
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3,654 Posts
Brilliant!
 

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2,584 Posts
Very valuable set up. Well worth the effort of making one. Thanks for the idea.
 

· In Loving Memory
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196 Posts
Thanks for the comments guys.

I got my inspiration from "Mike in Wisconsin" so glad you guys could use this variation. Very simple and quick to build.

I glued up the first frame that you see in the pic today and will take it out tonight. One additional though I came up with after assy is maybe gluing some thin plastic or laminate to the top of each leg to keep glue from sticking the frame to the leg. Some of us (present company included) may be a little sloppy with the glue. I did add a piece of paper towel under the corners to help with excess glue. Hope it helps to not stick as bad.
 

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4,477 Posts
Well since you favorited Mike…. I'll just favorite YOURS! Neat clamp!
 

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217 Posts
Very nice and excellent idea, I will have to make a set when the temperatures cool off here in Arizona, just too hot to work in the shop. Thanks for sharing with us.
 

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88 Posts
I would think a couple coats of poly would keep the glue from sticking, at least permanently…
 

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3 Posts
Great jig and wonderful idea
 
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