How To Make A Wooden Bar Clamp

Details on much of the build process.
A free SketchUp plan is available for this project here:
ibuildit.ca/pr...

[@kevinquevem]

I like the idea of making as many tools as possible not just to save money but also to have fun doing it! Inspiring video!

[@stevecurrier2462]

I know this video is a couple of years old, but the clamps are excellent, I have made several of them. I didn't have any hard wood, but did have some seasoned fir, which is working just fine for the small projects I make. Thank you for the great idea and the step-by-step. These are great alternatives to commercial clamps for those of us on a limited budget.

[@TheBookDoctor]

There's a certain style of KZbin video that involves watching a craftsman do something wholly without explanation, where you know what the end goal is supposed to be, nobody's telling you what's going on. I find that style sometimes MORE educational than a narrated vid, because I have to actually use my brain to figure it out, rather than having it handed to me, and having figured it out I actually understand it. This video is a great example of that style.

[@grumpywoodiam]

49 Dislikes? Whats not to like? No talking - No advertising - Great replying comments. Just modern woodwork at its best. Thanks John.

[@CraftyCAD]

Thanks for the great video and plans! Everything in Perth Western Australia is expensive including bar clamps, I managed to knock one of these clamps together from scraps I had lying around, might have cost $7 all up. I'm not the most experienced woodworker, so the fact that I was able to put one of these together in a day means it was well thought out and the plans easy to follow for a beginner. Thanks again, I'm a big fan of your videos and inventions. Cheers, Cam

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks. What appears as "comfortable" or "confident" is actually efficient use from tons of practice. Something like how a driver that has driven a car for twenty years looks more capable than a student driver.

[@repeatdefender6032]

you, sir, are a complete badass. i just found your channel and am watching all of your videos, completely blown away and inspired. thank you for doing all of this!

[@Nutzername36]

i found it very meditative to watch you work without talking and it remains me of workshop class in school which i realized we had not nearly enough of

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks! This is a direct improvement on the red clamp design. It is easier to build than the rod reinforced version.

[@charles92027]

I like that you can see the actual clamp, in use, through out the video.

[@the430movie]

Once again, another great project and useful tool! Thanks John for the upload and for leading the way to being crafty and savvy...

[@gvidovic1]

I just want to comment, I admire people like you. Congratulation :)))

[@JohnHeisz]

Normally, I use my left hand to cover my eyes while making a cut, but in this instance I needed to keep watch on the camera. Rather than put it in my pocket, I thought I'd rest it as close to the blade as possible, that way if my right hand got in trouble, my left could jump in and help out.

[@foxy448]

Propper Chippy this guy. Well executed. Stand up and pay attention. For those of you that want "plans" He is clearly using half and quarter inch stock. So if you cant work the rest out out you shoudnt take up the task in my opinion.

[@ABWillis29]

You Sir are an inspiration to the rest of us. In my eyes you deserve a show on HGTV or DIY network. Your videos are very clear, concise and to the point. You showcase the idea in a way that anyone can understand. And your ideas make sense! Unlike half of what others show on KZbin. Keep up the AWESOME work!

[@Alfredo1987a]

I like this kind of videos much more! There is no talking just building. Its orgasmic. You should keep it that way

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks. It's an improved version of the ones on Woodgears. I've got a video further down ("Clamp Fail") going over some of the problems with that design.

[@JohnHeisz]

Short answer: strong enough. They are for clamping wood together and they excel at that. Not entirely sure how much clamping force they can exert, but certainly enough for a glue joint.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@1bbobtwin]

I Love this clamp... Thanks John!!!

[@Habibulla.M]

Nicely built 👍

[@smokethosetaliban]

"my left could jump in and help out'--A table saw mishap will occur in the blink of an eye. Way back when, I was re-sawing a board as you were at :42...and I applied light "feather-board" pressure to the stock on the outside of the blade with my fingers...as you seemed to do. 1/10th of a second later, the stock was gone and my index fingertip was in the kerf. Lesson learned was: never ever apply any pressure to the stock at the outside of the blade. No offense meant--you are a gifted builder

[@alexandrotancredi1553]

La verdad que la tenes muy clara yo no puedo hacer eso en este momento pero igual me sirve de mucho. Gracias por compartir tus conocimientos. Saludos...

[@runfox_4780]

Wow is there anything you cant make John?? Im beginning to think not, thats just bad ass cool, , bad thing is now I want to make all your projects!!!

[@Dave38K]

Table saws scare the living bejabbers out of me. I still use them, but I don't think I'll ever get comfortable with them. BTW, I like your push sticks.

[@travisbrumfield638]

great video thank you for all of your entertaining videos

[@eco_juguetesdemadera]

me gusta como quedo, muy practica y útil, felicidades!!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Ah ok. Yeah, I see what you're saying now. My mistake. Keep up the great work. I love your clamps.

[@dejanira2]

That is so cool, and such a great build!

[@tremshaier]

Very nice work. I really enjoy watching this video. Thank you for take the time to make the video and share with us. I learn some good practices. oh! and please take your fingers out from that machine! ;)

[@AtifHasanReflections]

very nice design and clean built. thanks for posting. :)

[@zobook]

So good to see those kind of comments instead of the usual "hey dude, why don't you buy some instead, they are really cheap and yada yada yada..."

[@JohnHeisz]

It's the clamp paradox... It's common to need more than one clamp in woodworking, therefore buying one to make more is perfectly reasonable.

[@Akin_Cakin]

Thank you John, great videos!

[@youmunoz2219]

Me parece Muy excelente tu trabajo, lo que fue mejor es que en tu blog esta el diseño hasta en español...agradezco mucho el aporte de tu enseñanza y tutoria ojala todas las personas pensaran como usted con esas ganas de enseñar....Muchas Gracias...

[@goodoldpatrick]

I guess I'm confused because the way T-Nuts are designed, you simply tap them in with a hammer. The tabs are cyclonic and wedge shaped, and hold the T-Nut in like a nail. The screws shouldn't be necessary if you are using the hooks on the T-Nuts the way they are intended. It may be a bit too small a surface area though to use them properly, so I kinda get your point. Great vid either way!

[@RoLeXDubstep]

Nice work man!

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks! It's good to hear feedback (+ or -) - I can use it to improve my videos in the future. The irony is that after I made the first video of this type (make a dowel maker), an experienced KZbinr told me that it has too many edits, too jarring to watch, not enough explanation, etc. (aka: I don't like it). That is my most viewed video at this time.

[@JohnHeisz]

It might have looked like that, but I assure you, my thumb was not on the end at that time. It didn't need to be, the pushstick was doing the pushing. Look at the video again and you'll see that you can't actually see my thumb at that point - it was tucked into my palm.

[@alandobb950]

Just been & looked at your other video on the bar clamp, May I congratulate you, although the FIRST video was good, its SO MUCH BETTER with dialogue. Keep up the GOOD work, From across the pond in England.

[@selimmahammed8081]

Thanks john

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks!

[@dr70ify]

sou do Brasil e um admirador do seus videos. Um abraço

[@cah212212]

Epic job!

[@EvaldirSouza]

Parabéns pelo projeto. Me ajudou muito. Muito obrigado amigo.

[@myjog2011]

muy buen trabajo y dirigido para ahorro buena,, una pregunta maestro puedo usar madera de pino o cual me rrecomiendas?

[@Khether0001]

beautiful work, man!

[@moveismacedo]

show de bola jovem parabens grande abraço JESUS te ama!!!

[@breakdancer100]

you can never have too much clamps in your shop

[@big1finger]

actually he is being safe. The number one rule of woodworking is to never get blood on the wood. If you notice not a drop of blood was shed.

[@applenewbee]

very nice.

[@yukinesama55]

اكثر ناس فقيين في العالم

[@attaurrahemanshaikh7752]

sir you are a genius please is there a link for how you made the table saw you are working in this video

[@deamattos9157]

perfect! Congratulations!

[@DantesAlvesdeSantana]

Pronto john juntei ai vc é um grande artista !!!

[@JohnHeisz]

I already answered this in an earlier comment. My thumb is not on the end, it's tucked into my palm (you can't see it). Having my thumb on the end would not be skill, just stupid, and I'm not that stupid.

[@deezynar]

That's very nice, but why didn't you put in an all-thread for reinforcement like you did on some other clamps you made?

[@clst007]

very good!!!!!!

[@zeratul575]

hahaha KNEW IT this bar clamp is something hed make man i can see him making one

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Nice! I love it. You had me a little scared at :42 seconds though. Your thumb was insanely close to the blade.

[@JohnHeisz]

The title didn't give it away?

[@RenatoCostaRCMIDIA]

Very good!

[@PZERGYO]

Eres grandioso, excelentes videos. gracias

[@cacox97able1]

this thing works thanks man

[@pabad069davis8]

GREAT JOB..I KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH ALL MY SCRAP WOOD NOW..THANK YOU

[@Khether0001]

just subscribed due to this vid.

[@GustavoMdeOliveira]

That's pretty awesome!!! Mto bom!!!

[@jackfisher4318]

*Uses previously made clamps to hold together clamp that is being made* 😂😂😂😂😂 But seriously though, I only found your channel today and I've already watched so many of your videos and they're amazing! Keep up the good work👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@spilperson]

I wish they would give you more space... Is the two-piece lower jaw design supposed to work like a parallel clamp? I have been looking for an explanation of how those work without plopping down $40 to take one apart. and none of the stores around here seem to have one that I could just take a look at, I have to get them online. In everything I see on line, the design essentially covers up the lower jaw mechanism. Any help greatly appreciated.

[@JohnHeisz]

Olfa. Thanks.

[@vancouverizer]

Have a look at his (very nicely drawn) diagram labeled "parts 2" (he provides the link to his website in the description). Everything there can easily be cut with hand tools. It will take longer but it sounds like you have no option. Hopefully you at least have access to an electric drill (I find using my old hand drills to be a major pain). Also, see clamp on the bottom of the photo on that same project page as it requires fewer cuts.

[@spilperson]

Thanks for the details on the build process. I do have a question about materials. Have you thought or tried to use metal for the bar? I realize that would take some design changes, but I think it would increase the strength of the clamps also. I just took a peek at one of the online metal dealers, brand new hot roll steel .125" x 1" runs about $1.20 a foot, aluminum about double that, both plus shipping. You might get it a little cheaper off Ebay. Anyway, seriously, thanks again for the vid.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks. No, MDF is not good for this. You need strong hardwood.

[@joseantonioperezcolmenarez8744]

MUY BUENO LO FELICITO DESDE VENEZUELA YO ESTABA PENSANDO HACER UNA Y ME TOPE CON ESTE VIDEO Q ME DA LA IDEA DE UN ENROSUE EN MADERA. FELICIDADES

[@sbtoolman12123]

cool item but it seems rather big and bulky,in a tiny shop like mine i couldn't use them.Thanks for showing how it's done though.

[@Rustaholic777]

When I need to think about what I am building I start designing weird new whirlygigs. Then I give them away.

[@goodoldpatrick]

Out of curiosity, why didn't you just seat in the T nuts as they are designed instead of drilling out where the tabs bite and and placing a screw to hold it in?

[@Khether0001]

dude.. clamps making clamps?!?! aren't you worried about a wooden Arnold Schwarzenegger knocking on your door?!?!? I'd be!!! ÓÒ

[@brandontran174]

How much did it cost to make this? With all of the materials used, it seems like it would be more than the cost of a bar clamp. On the other hand, it is a nice functioning novelty item.

[@gunnerb47]

I am definitely going to do this

[@TheRevering]

What kind of bonding (apoxy?) did you use for the thread to handle attaching? Thanks and loved it!!

[@JohnHeisz]

Have your say without the abusive language, otherwise your comment gets deleted.

[@T.H.studio]

me : watch your thumb john : my thumb is not on the end of the board

[@acedestani]

bravo

[@993ts]

so we have to buy clamps in order to make clamps?

[@Andreas-Fischer-1965]

cool - thumbs up

[@jorgemonroy5993]

Hi, Greetings! I intend to work with wood and other materials, I noticed your website from youtube and I find it interesting, I hope to do a couple of things that exposed, but not a lot of carpentry but soon I will have one CNC machine router, so I do I have to do other equipment to save costs. Thank you for sharing !!!

[@Digger725]

i think its a lovely design, relatively simple too, is this the same one that matthias has on the woodgears website, because i do believe you gave him some similar plans for those ones?

[@ConfusionWood]

interesting. nice!

[@MrPhAnToM1004]

Using Wooden Clamps To make wooden clamps.... WOODEN CLAMP-SEPTION!

[@Rustaholic777]

I just gotta ask,,, WHY I am more about what I build than the clamps I use. Nice instructional video though.

[@hockeyer]

NIce build.

[@m4gunner25]

this may be a stupid question, but, how strong are they?

[@alandobb950]

Sorry John, but is it possible to PRINT the plans you have on your site? If so could you give a brief description as how? Thanking you in anticipation.

[@oronzoconserva9573]

hi, you can see all the measurements? is a very interesting video :)

[@SirBREACH]

liking your vids!!

[@Junk65]

nice !

[@3902887]

cool

[@carlosjrjunior]

Hello good afternoon. What wood is this that you are using ? Grateful! JC

[@46andrik]

What is the name of that which is stuck in the wood and has internal thread?