An old adage that states,
“A woodworker can never have enough clamps.”
I thought that was true, until a few years ago I realize that I haven’t wished for more clamps in a long time, even years.
I think I finally have enough. I have them all: C-clamps, F-clamps, pipe clamps, spring clamps, wooden clamps and every other clamp. I have lots of each and all sizes.
You name it and I can clamp it.
I was wondering just how many clamps do I have? Well, I recently decided to count them. Well, I quit counting at 250. So I can accurately say I have over 250 clamps.
All those clamps in a two man shop. That sometimes has hour people working on similar projects. We make everything from kitchen cabinets, to grandfather clocks, chairs, and all types of furniture.
How did I acquire so many clamps? Well, anytime I found a clamp at a yard sale or flea market or antique mall that was priced at least 50% below retail then I would purchase it.
Also specific projects sometimes require specific clamps and I paid retail in those instances.
I like pipe clamps because they are not too expensive and you can make them as long as you would ever need.
My longest ones are 10 feet long. If I ever need longer clasps I can just get out a pipe union and connect another pipe.
They give plenty of pressure and are excellent clamps; you can usually get 3 or 4 of them for the cost of one bar clamp.
Recently I found myself thinking, I wish I had another router, and I now have a new adage.
“A woodworker can never have enough routers.” How many do I have? Just counted 14 of all sizes …
better save that for another blog!
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