Mitremike needs mitre clamps–Collins?
Mitremike
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
I have had enough with hanging cabinet crown and all the jockeying to line one end up and go to the other to mark it.
So moved to the “Top of the List” is a set of mitre clamps to save my sanity.
I recall a set by Collins( may be wrong) that was spoke of here–
I need about 50 cents worth of 2 cents to get me on the road to a set of mitre clamps.
So what make, what sizes, and where to order—
Thanks (for saving what little hair I have left)
Mike
“Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while” Mitremike c. 1990
” I reject your reality and substitute my own”
Adam Savage—Mythbusters
Replies
Hey I just sent ya another email. I've got the collins clamps. Can get them right from their website. Invest in the clamp pliers or spreader or whatever they call it. Them little things are especially good for little crown returns.
Mike
Mike,
I have the Collins clamps, too, and like them. Like Arcticcat says, get the pliers, unless you are a technical rock climber with fingers of steel.
Bill
So that's it huh---Collins the way to go---Seems unanamious---Any other suggestions? Other than "get the pliers"Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
Don't put them on your nipples.
I have a set and love em.
Ugha Chaka! Ugha Chaka! Ugha, Ugha, Ugha, Chaka!
Edited 2/22/2006 6:54 am ET by Gunner
Don't put them on your nipples.Why am I always the last to know?Mike, get the Collins Clamps, but be careful Hey, pocket doors can't come off the track if they're nailed open
Mike, get the Collins Clamps, but be careful----About putting them on mitres or nipples--What ever happened to clothspins? Do they even make them anymore or did the clothspin market finally get saturated?Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
Hey Billy--got the clamps the other day and startin' the crown Mon. So what did you mean Be Careful--got a chance to play with them in the garage--Do you mean to close the clamp slowly so the points bite.That is the one thing I noticed on hardwood to keep the clamp from skipping till it bites.they make way smaller holes then the 18 guage so filling shouldn't be a problem.Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
"Don't put them on your nipples. I have a set and love em."I also have a set of nipples and I love them too!!!!oops....you must have meant the clamps......sorry......
Thanks.
Now I'll be walking around all day with this imaginary pain on my man-breasts.Great.
Imaginary is better then the real thing, trust me. Man them things can dig. And then you get all scared trying to get them off and you wind up tearing nipple flesh. It aint good.
Ugha Chaka! Ugha Chaka! Ugha, Ugha, Ugha, Chaka!
The Collins clamps are great (like about everything else they sell). I use a pair of slip jaw pliers to open them.
Rockler sells a larger sized set I like for rougher work. I don't use those as often, but they are handy, too. TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
Thanks Jim--I saw the Rockler ones too and liked the Collins set up better.Order went in--Now for the waiting part--just as long as they get here by next Wed before I start the crown on those cabinets.I saw the Rockler ones had two sizes--do you ever wish Collins made a bigger one or is the size they have good?If you had a optimal number of the clamps what would it be?Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
12 is plenty for me. I don't think I've ever used them all at once - maybe once or twice building a bunch of picture frames...but mostly use two or three at a time.
I keep mine on a small "cable cuff", you know those orange circular clips they sell at Home Depot for electrical cords? "Cuff 'em, Dano". Those cable cuffs aren't very durable, but man, are they ever handy.TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
Was near REI today--climbing and outdoor store--popped in and got a carabiner that has a nice open throet---I got a bunch of those cable cuffs for my cords and airhoses---use to clip them to the hose as to not lose them--worked well till the cuff works its way down the hose/cord and I step on em.Might be going back to the rope method if I keep that up....Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
Thanks Jim----I got em and I'll let you know how they work out for me.So you open them with some pliers--Stock or did you modifiy them?I tried to open them by hand and I can just not wide enought to grip the top of the crown.I did order the pliers but if they go south I may need a idea to rework a set of pliers.Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
I didn't modify my pliers, Mike, they work fine.
You can always use one finger inside each loop at the business end of the clamps and pull them open that way, too. You know, like pulling apart a 6 pack ring when we were kids?Tipi, Tipi, Tipi!
http://www.asmallwoodworkingcompany.com
I've had some of these "pincer clamp" things kicking around for a long time. They have been used periodically, but not as a tool I'd reach for. For the applications discussed in this thread, I've used to find a tape clamp more effective and less intrusive.
Since I got a 23 gauge pin gun, I'm using it for precisely the applications listed.
You cut a mitre joint or a return, dry fit it, glue it, and pin it together with them teeny-tiny pins.
Worst case scenario is you have to take it apart, and these pins just pull through with the vice-grips without any pullout debris like a an 18 gauge pin would produce.
They is so tiny that they don't split anything, giving you the capability to drive em into even the thinnest moulding,
That being said, they do seem to "blow out" with a tad more frequency that 18gauge pins, but even when they do, they don't make the same "mess"
They have little mechanical strength on direct pull out, so you learn to do the "toe-nail" thing with them.
On a crown mitre, x-pinning would give you the mechanical lock, without any possibilitity of slippage of the joint. They are also less prone, at least in my experience, to what I'm gonna call "impact slippage"- you pull the trigger and the impact of the 18gauge fastener moves the mitre joint slightly.....
One draw back is that if one of these suckers doesn't get fully set, and is proud of the board, you gotta use a nail set to set it below the surface. I modified the smallest nail set I could find by grinding down the tip so that it wouldn't leave such a massive scar in the wood.
Eric
I put the pliers and clamps to the job and I like them--gotta have the pliers--glad I got them.Pulling open a 6er ring--ya mean cutting your finger on one? Sounds like they-the pliers-hold up---don't know what I was expecting.When you said you used pliers I thought you meant regular pliers and not the Collins ones--Did I misunderstand?Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
"When you said you used pliers I thought you meant regular pliers and not the Collins ones--
Did I misunderstand?"
No, you understood. I don't have the Collins pliers. If I used those clamps more often I would consider buying a pair though ("pair of pliers" why do we call them a "pair" when it is one tool?).
You booked your room for Tiptfest yet?Tipi, Tipi, Tipi!
http://www.asmallwoodworkingcompany.com
("pair of pliers" why do we call them a "pair" Oh that's easy---ya stick the pair of pliers in you pair of pants over your pair of underwear that cover you pair of.....Ah wait a minute--is it after family hour yet?I finished that crown on the cabinets and now am retrimming a 70's ranch with some respectable sized casing and the reason I bought the clamps is working out on this one too.Just being able to clamp the mitre and go to the other end for a mark is a treat. Paid for in my opinion---Can't remember the last time I measured for a piece of casing except to rough cut.Official opinion--I love em. On the subject of Tipifest I have some restraint in two trip to NO and a trip planned to Texas to see my niece graduate. Been a couple of years since we have see them and the wife would like to see her sister--How could I say No?Winter has been good and if summer works out the same then the outlook is much brighter but for the time being I have to sit on the fence. :-(Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
Ulmia makes stronger ones, but a set of them is over $100. The Collins clamps with the pliers are probably less than $30. I own and like the Collins clamps. They're also handy in a pinch to keep overhead light cords in my basement shop secured to the floor joists above and out of my way.
Andy
"Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein
"Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom
Your right on the money--30 bucks for a dozen clamps and 15 for the pliers--If they work like everyone says then I'll consider it money well spent.I like the cord holder idea---does that mean I can retire the collection of bent nails I have been carring around?Gee--like an old friend---So long sucker, you been replaced---HAHAHAHA---(evil chuckle)Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
You'll probly buy 2 or 3 dozen before you're through. That's what I did. I don't remember the pliers maybe they didn't have those when I got my clamps. I get along o.k. just pinching them. 15, 22.5,and 30 mitres take a bit of patience but I use em for those too.
kcoyner
From all I have heard you need a mean grip to work them by hand---I ordered the pliers so I'll let you know how they work out.Guess my hands are sore enough with out having to squeeze them all day--Figure when I get to useing them they will probley be an all day thing and I don't need that kinda ache--Put in the order today--wonder if I can change it to 2 dozen?Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
Yeah I know what you mean about the aches and pains. My grip is pretty good but some days my hands hurt like a tooth ache. Especially my thumbs! (2) 600 mg Tylenols please!
Let me know if you like them.
And here's some advice almost as good as not putting them on your nipples - I keep the clamps on a carabiner. When I'm using them I just clip the carabiner on the back loop of my toolbelt. Pretty handy. Guaranteed to make ya feel like a linesman or something.
Mike
Gee---ya mean those cheesy caribiers at the check out acually will have a purpose on my belt---All those neat colors--How to pick one--The one thing I know is I'll never sneak up on anybody wearing my bags--sound like a barrel of bolts walking around--even wrapped the loop for my hammer just to get rid of the click, clickMaybe if I get a new "Black" set of bags it will be stealthy silent.How many clamps do you have? Should I order more--I got a dozen coming---Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
They still don't click as loud as a hammer in a metal holder. I would recommend that you keep about 4 dozen on your belt at all times. ;)
I got a dozen and thats plenty for what I do. Glue usually sets up fast enough I remove them after 10 or 15 min. if I need them.
Mike
Edited 2/22/2006 9:54 pm by arcticcat
loud as a hammer in a metal holder--Hear ya there--wrapped my loop with athletic tape to quiet it down. Works well--just have to add tape every once and a while when it wears thru.Gotta dozen comin' so it sounds like I should be in good shape--acually found a outfit here in the cities that stocks them so I can get more locally--of course found this out after I ordered them.Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
Where did ya find a place up there that stocks them?
Believe it or not---Edina-- in the business distriect near 494--It is a distributor ship for frame stores--material, matts etc and they have the pliers and clamps--Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
Wow, I've never been tool shopping in Edina before.
Mike
A fresh frontier!TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
Hey Mike--got my clamps and they are going on the job on Mon.I am holding my opinion on the pliers till after I try it for a while.I totally see how having them is a Big plus but they seem a little on the lightweight side. Couple of alum. arms with a nut and screw for a pivot.Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
Golly Mike, the pliers they sent me were nicely machined out of titanium, with padded handles, even had a beer-bottle opener on the handle. :) Just kidding.
Yea, the pliers aren't anything special, but mine have held up so far. They do make it a bit easier to place the clamps right where ya want them to go.
Let us know how you like them.
Mike
Do the Collins mitre clamps leave much of a mark where they grab the material? I wanted to use them on stain grade moulding, such as Cherry, Walnut or Mahogany that would be very visable to the eye.
Just a couple of pin pricks, smaller than most finish nail holes.Andy
"Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein
"Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom
smaller than most finish nail holes.
well don't leave me hanging!
guess at a size ...
bigger or smaller than an 18g?
how close to a 23g?
inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks,
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
It depends.
The clamps are sharpened to a point. If it is a soft wood, or open grain the points dig in more. I would say it averages to about a 18g dimple.
I won't use them on pine.My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard
About the size of a 3 penny finish nail, if not smaller.Andy
"Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein
"Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom
Andy,
Thanks for the information
Picked these up yesterday to help install crown on the fireplace mantel I built.
http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/clamps_vises/maestro/m1201_clamp-all.htm?L+coastest+cpjn6989ff6ca26c+1141612721
(originally installed crown upside down...................duh)
Worked pretty darn good, just installed it about an hour ago.
Rod
You guys are funny talking about all these do-hickies you use to hold/keep the clamps together with...Did you ever think of sticking one clamp through the mouths of all the other clamps? You don't need the pliers to open up the keeper clamp to remove the others as you need them. One less thing to carry....
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I dipped the "handles" for better grip and it make's em easier to find when they fly-off into the bushes.
Drilled a hole in the pliers and use one clamp to gang the whole group together for transport.
I prefer to use the pliers if placement of clamp is "critical" and it's a lot easier on my old hands when I need to really crank on em.
This was my first time using these clamps.........that being said, I think the pliers aided in getting the clamps in the right position.............one hand for the pliers, the other hand holding the crown in position. A little more control.bada bing bada boom..........nail itMaybe after some more experience, ( or buy a pin nailer), I could do without them. Rod
Thanks Rod--I have seen these at my local Rockler--and it was a race between these and Collins in my orgingal thread.That is a great price---They do look beefer---probely stronger too--but then again if the joint need that much pressure I'd probely take it back to the saw.Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters