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Ulmia Miter Clamp Set and Spring Pinch Clamp

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26K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  maljr1980  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Ulmia - Miter Clamp Set and Spring Pinch Clamp (Rating: 5)

Ulmia miter clamps and pinch clamps for miter joints

Some viewers have inquired about the miter clamps used in the articles and videos of my woodworking blog. So, here is my response and a review of the Ulmia Miter Clamps and Pinch Clamps. These are terrific tools for clamping corners. Read on and you will understand why.

Over 30 years ago I took a deep breath as I purchased what I thought at the time were expensive tools. The Ulmia miter clamp pliers, clamp rings, and spring pinch clamps had a place in my tool box then and still do today. Back then for a young apprentice they seemed pretty pricey. However, the purchase was made as an investment and over time the investment has paid off handsomely. It's hard to count the number of times that they have been used. However, these clamps have made the quality of both my woodwork and my life better. Here's why.

Ulmia Pliers, ring clamps, and picture frame miter joints.

As woodworkers we often work with miter joints. We may cut miters for all types of moulding…crown, base, chair rail, you name it. Anytime we fit and glue miters we need to secure the joint until the glue sets. The same applies to many other miter situations with wood projects in the shop and the Ulmia miter clamps do a superb job. These tools are a cinch to work with as they allow the woodworker to simply go from miter to miter with ease. The Ulmia pliers and ring clamps work well when more pressure is needed to secure the joint. The pinch clamps perform well for the smaller miter joints requiring less pressure. I recommend these tools in a heart beat and chances are you'll be glad to have them when gluing miter joints in your woodworking shop. The Ulmia clamps allow the woodworker to work accurately, work faster, and work with more confidence. Simply align the miter joint and fasten the clamp.

Ulmia Pinch clamp secures a glued miter joint.

Here are examples of why I enjoy working with the Ulmia clamps.
Related Videos and Articles:

Let's Build a Jewelry Box...Part 3

Let's Make Picture Frames with the Dedicated Miter Sled

Mastering the Miter Joint

How to Make Perfect Miter Joints

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#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks for this review; I've been curious about these clamps for awhile.

I do have two questions I'm hoping someone could help me with before I take the plunge and buy some for myself:

1. Don't the points of the clamps mar the wood, at least a little?

2. Would these clamps work on polygonal shapes joined at angles other than 90 degrees? Some of my projects require me to build 6- or 8-sided polygons. Would the 60 or 45 degree angles involved be too shallow (or is it too wide?) for the clamps to grip?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Smalltimer…

1. Rarely is this a factor. The points could dig into the wood depending on the density of the wood and the amount of pressure the woodworker applies to the clamps. However. this is a very small point (get it?) to be concerned about. The clamps can do a very good job even with just a little pressure. It's just a matter of aligning the joint until the glue sets. (This assumes the joints are cut and fit accurately.)

2. For 6-8 sided polygons you may be better off with a band type clamp so that even pressure is distributed. When making segmented rings for segmented woodturnings I'll often use rubber bands to distribute the pressure evenly. It's enough pressure on the joints to keep them aligned and to allow the glue to set.
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
I've had a full set of these for over 10 years. They are great for multiple frames, crown corners, etc. It's like having 80 extras hands.
The point does leave a mark, but as Bob said, it depends on the pressure, or spread, you put into the clamp. For well cut miters, just enough pressure to hold until the glue sets is all you need. Usually the small indent can be sanded out. But with some of the larger clamps, a large amount of pressure can be obtained, such as for a out of wack crown molding situation. Then the indents do get large, but no more then what a nail head would be. Some filler and sanding and your good to go.
Thanks for the review Bob, hope you don't mind my 2 cents.
 
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#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
GaryL…Thanks for sharing your perspective and your experience. Gary brings up excellent points.

"For well cut miters, just enough pressure to hold until the glue sets is all you need." Well cut miter joints.

"But with some of the larger clamps, a large amount of pressure can be obtained, such as for a out of wack crown molding situation." Poorly cut miter joints.

"They are great for multiple frames, crown corners, etc. It's like having 80 extras hands." The clamps save time and money…and also preserves the quality of the miter. (This assumes the joints are cut and fit accurately.)
 
M
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
any good trim carpenter or cabinet builder will surely have a set of these in his toolbox. work great for casing and crown mold, and to hold parts together during assembly, and they put the pressure on your miters so the glue joint is nice and tight but doesnt fail. i dont recomend them to force bad miters such as in crown together, as soon as the wood shrinks or swells from seasonal changes your miter will pop if it was a poor joint to begin with
 
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