universal clamp
- Thread starter phc35
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Normo
Well-Known Member
Hi Jay
Santa claus(!) bought me one for Christmas last year and I have found it very good
I had prviously used a home made one for ages (rubber bands and bulldog clips) and now I use this one a lot more
The idea of movable pegs is also good as It enables you to hold awkward pieces very easily
One tiny critism ,be careful not to lose the steel pegs that go with it I lost one a few weeks ago and had to adapt a steel pin to replace it, then of course I found it again after hunting around for ages!
A thought for the maker would be to include a couple of spare pins to avoid this problem
But I would thoughly recommend this tool
Go for it!
Cheers
John
Santa claus(!) bought me one for Christmas last year and I have found it very good
I had prviously used a home made one for ages (rubber bands and bulldog clips) and now I use this one a lot more
The idea of movable pegs is also good as It enables you to hold awkward pieces very easily
One tiny critism ,be careful not to lose the steel pegs that go with it I lost one a few weeks ago and had to adapt a steel pin to replace it, then of course I found it again after hunting around for ages!
A thought for the maker would be to include a couple of spare pins to avoid this problem
But I would thoughly recommend this tool
Go for it!
Cheers
John
Mongo Mel
A Fixture
Hi Jay,
Those clamps are one of my all time favorite tools and I use them all the time.
I paint mostly busts so what I do is drill a hole about 1/8" dia on the split line between the two halves. Then I can rigidly clamp the figure post between the halves.
And you'll see in the photo that I've also made a simple base that allowes me to set the clamp down and not worry about it tipping over.
One thing to be aware of is that there are clamps available that vary widely in quality. The ones from Micro-Mark are good. Especially when they're on sale!
I bought some from an on line jewelry supply company that were absolute junk. I use those to hold figures while I spray prime a figure.
Hope this helps
Craig
Those clamps are one of my all time favorite tools and I use them all the time.
I paint mostly busts so what I do is drill a hole about 1/8" dia on the split line between the two halves. Then I can rigidly clamp the figure post between the halves.
And you'll see in the photo that I've also made a simple base that allowes me to set the clamp down and not worry about it tipping over.
One thing to be aware of is that there are clamps available that vary widely in quality. The ones from Micro-Mark are good. Especially when they're on sale!
I bought some from an on line jewelry supply company that were absolute junk. I use those to hold figures while I spray prime a figure.
Hope this helps
Craig
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Einion
A Fixture
These aren't cheap are they?
For holding individual parts and smaller figures during sculpting and painting for many years I just used pin vices - can't get much cheaper than something you already have
But a fatter handle is easier to hold for long periods (especially when you're getting old!) so a while ago I finally got around to building some of my own clamps, based on the ideas in this thread.
Wooden dowelling/broom-handle cutoff: free.
Screws: free.
Clamps: maybe 50c each?
Satisfaction of using something you made yourself: priceless.
Einion
For holding individual parts and smaller figures during sculpting and painting for many years I just used pin vices - can't get much cheaper than something you already have
But a fatter handle is easier to hold for long periods (especially when you're getting old!) so a while ago I finally got around to building some of my own clamps, based on the ideas in this thread.
Wooden dowelling/broom-handle cutoff: free.
Screws: free.
Clamps: maybe 50c each?
Satisfaction of using something you made yourself: priceless.
Einion
Mongo Mel
A Fixture
Hi Enion,
They can be expensive. Depends on the site selling them.
On sale, $15.00 is a good price for a good quality one.
Also look on Model Expo for sale prices. Their quality have been good too.
I have a total of 7 of them now!
3 are excellent quality (smooth running threads in the clamping screw, nice knurling of the head or a nice plastic knob on the head of the clamping screw, excellent overall finish).
2 are good quality (lower quality all around on the clamping screw and head but still work well).
2 are crap (very poor fit of the threads, poor knurling and one even broke where the clamping screw attached to the traveling half of the head). They were from the jewelers supply company (Rio Grande) and also were the cheapest in cost. But only by a couple of dollars.
Just my experiences
Craig
They can be expensive. Depends on the site selling them.
On sale, $15.00 is a good price for a good quality one.
Also look on Model Expo for sale prices. Their quality have been good too.
I have a total of 7 of them now!
3 are excellent quality (smooth running threads in the clamping screw, nice knurling of the head or a nice plastic knob on the head of the clamping screw, excellent overall finish).
2 are good quality (lower quality all around on the clamping screw and head but still work well).
2 are crap (very poor fit of the threads, poor knurling and one even broke where the clamping screw attached to the traveling half of the head). They were from the jewelers supply company (Rio Grande) and also were the cheapest in cost. But only by a couple of dollars.
Just my experiences
Craig
BillW
Active Member
Hi Guys
I bought one for $8.00 from "Tools for Jewels" thru E-Bay.
Works great, no complaints. I like it best for metal figures.
Regards
Bill
I bought one for $8.00 from "Tools for Jewels" thru E-Bay.
Works great, no complaints. I like it best for metal figures.
Regards
Bill
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