How to Make the Ultimate Wooden Clamp - Woodworking

[@JohnHeisz]

The Makers Mob 99¢ Summer Sale: rlnk.cc/jhthemakersmobsummersale Get the plans for this fabulous clamp: ibuildit.ca/plans/ultimate-wooden-clamp-plans/ See more detail in the project build article: ibuildit.ca/projects/how-to-make-the-ultimate-wooden-clamp/ If you make these, you'll never go back to using metal clamps again. I know I haven't. The difference is weight - these are half as heavy as the typical metal clamp, but are still capable of more than enough force for all of my woodworking tasks.

[@EngineerMikeF]

Bought the plans, Thanks. I see the metal shim in the materials list but not in the build pages, did I miss where it goes?

[@bumstudios8817]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bonbnoV5p8iCjtE check out that box at the 3min mark of his video. I thought you would appreciate it.

[@paulbrands6239]

John, I ordered and paid for these plans last week, but I did not receive the plans in my email, nor in SPAM....I wrote you about it before but no answer. I wrote to ibuildit as well, no answer either...... Don't know what or where things went wrong but I.just want to get the plans I paid for....Can you help please?

[@dannersmyers]

John not only is it nice to see you execute this like a master cabinet maker, but it’s also nice to see how well the shop is set up and how well it works for you

[@markhedquist9597]

Ya, these are awesome clamps. I've seen (I think) all of the versions leading up to this current one. According to this video you have the build process down to a science. It's super satisfying to watch. Especially with the editing. Thanks for all the hard work you put in and for sharing it with us. Ordering plans now!

[@talltimberswoodshop7552]

John, I couldn't find this video in the Clamps playlist. I really like the reduction in weight for these clamps.

[@Martial11480]

Hello, thanks for all your video. I like your video because you are using afortable tool (or many DIY), you are not using only festool like other channel. Thanks for all.

[@spencerbass7142]

They look great especially with the spalted maple.

[@macedindu829]

Yeah, maybe "not especially spalted," but enough to look boss AF.

[@deangardiner563]

Hi John Made these clamps from your build instruction/ plans. Really fun project, nice to build them out of wood and they work. Enjoy your channel and content.

[@alasdairmackenzie515]

Certainly are the prettiest clamps I've ever seen. Best aye!

[@maxfathi596]

Thanks for showing so many cuts John

[@DetonadosRPGs]

holy God John!, i love your work all heart!... you are very very PRO! god bless you for share you knowledg sry for english (hugs from brazil)

[@TimTurner115]

John. Just bought the plans for the clamps. Love it. The detail you put in the plans are great. Can't wait to get my back side to the hardware store to get the things I don't have. Thank you sir.

[@cobberpete1]

Love Jigs... Accuracy, Repeatable, Time saving

[@ljgault]

I just finished making these clamps and they are awesome, I posted a picture of them on your FB page.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic work, John! 😃 They really look great! I'm going to try to make some! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@thedrewwitt]

Great editing pace.

[@markkoons7488]

Man, your shop and your videos have come a long, long way. Congratulations.

[@Rollie80]

I don't know if I've ever seen your shop this clean before!!

[@uniquewoodworking930]

woodworking master.to a great finished product

[@stickslegrange2895]

Hi John. I always have a problem with the wooden springs. Always seams to soft, to hard or brittle. found 18mm x 1mm thick bamboo sucker or ice lolly sticks from local super market works well. Jury still out on durability over time.

[@woodswanderer7274]

Concerning the wooden leaf spring, my clamp that I made works okay but the spring spring doesn't do anything. I think that I followed the plan completely but it seems to be wrong. Did you have any issues? Thanks

[@pools2]

Thank you John! As I sad before in a comment, I could not wait for this plans. I have bought them and downloaded them. I dont know I ever build them, I got plenty of clamp, but I like, or love your videos and I want to support your work, so I bye them. Thanks again for your work.

[@eCitizen1]

I really like these. Funny I was about to buy a bunch more clamps too, so now maybe I'll make them instead.

[@orlandobarbosa8829]

parabens john, virei seu fã, muito obrigado

[@muddywater6856]

I built 28 of your parallel clamps about a year ago that are used daily by 3 people in a production environment. Also have 24 bessy parallel clamps that are over 30 years old. Your clamps always leave the rack first.......lightweight, similar clamping strength and easier to turn. The tap to release isn't a big deal, and quickly learned. LVL beam scraps make excellent bars, stiff and durable.

[@alanr745]

Ed, I'd never thought about LVL for a plethora of bars. Thanks!

[@muddywater6856]

@@alanr745 Really works well, and fairly easy to get plenty around home sites. By far the bulk of the wood needed to build these clamps. Not heavy either. Mine are poplar or fir.

[@subodhkumarverma4407]

Very good vidio Too useful for wood jobs working

[@merciersjean-luc6273]

Hi John thank for your vidéo and your nice clamps. I have a question about the lifespan of these clamps. Won't the glass paper prematurely wear out the body of the clamp?

[@DIYCHURCHPROJECTS]

Your wooden clamps looks perfect, I like it very much. I tried making the same before but I failed maybe in the future when I already have tools to make it right. thanks for the inspiration!

[@woodswanderer7274]

John, I love the video and the new/modified clamp design. I made one from the last design and people are intrigued with it because of the novelty I guess. I just like using it for the fun of it because I already have enough clamps. I'm thinking of making another with a 2X4 beam about 4 feet long and hang it from the ceiling. I think it will be a real eye catcher! Thanks for your videos and plans please keep it up.

[@AlfredPoor]

"I already have enough clamps." I don't believe you. Everyone knows that the formula for the correct number of clamps = [number of clamps you own] +1. Unless you are building boats or musical instruments, in which case it is + 10. At the very least.

[@Brian18741]

Exclusive build, just bought the plans, should save a fortune as we well as being lighter! 👍

[@edwardl.2646]

Amazing video fantastic looking clamps

[@danielmackey6594]

After purchasing the plans and building a couple of these, I'm thinking of trying to make one without the spring... It almost feels like it's unneeded. Love the clamps though. Brilliant design!

[@danielmackey6594]

Yes, the clamps work without a spring. I also threaded the wood for the lead screw, and it works very well for me. You are a great designer! Love your work.

[@jp_makes]

I bought the previous plans over a year ago, printed them off and haven't gotten around to making them yet! Well designed clamps and great to use up scraps

[@gregmislick1117]

John, they look amazing. I'll be getting my plans once I get home from this trip and then, I need to get busy building clamps!

[@geoffreygillespie6322]

John just keep making great clamps and other stuff 👍

[@الشاويالفحللايخافلايذل]

تسلم ايديك تحية من الجزائر ممكن سؤال اخي ماهو الزيت الذي تستعمله في الخشب لتلميعه هكذا وهل استطيع ان اصنعه بنفسي في المنزل

[@viorsa8200]

Mi hermano , dice que si lo hay comercial , no compensa hacerlo a mano , a no ser que te aburras mucho y no tengas nada que hacer , gracias por compartir tanta creatividad , un saludo cordial y por supuesto un gran like desde Narón , Galicia ( España) 🤓 😜

[@saiancantin7667]

Very cool video! It shows that you took your time and made high quality content! I like the structure your channel is taking👍

[@wallacesheckells7095]

I will be getting the plan for these. Great job my friend!

[@wolfman75]

Cool Idea John!!! Thank You!!!! 👍😎 Question: Does It Matter, Which Sign Up Link Is Used For Makers Mob, On The Plans You Can See?

[@donaldmumaw]

By the time I get around to building these you'll probably come up with something slightly better lol

[@JohnHeisz]

I'm keeping any future improvement for myself from now on, so you are safe to build these :)

[@muddywater6856]

@@JohnHeisz I bought the new plan, but think for my use the parallel clamps are better due to the jaws. They really work well to square up your work..as well as the 10 pound Besseys.

[@gregmislick1117]

@@JohnHeisz least share it with Patreon or someplace, you CAN'T keep genius all bottled up, your head will hurt.

[@johnkarapita437]

I made a set from the previous design and I will make these ones too. I may have to make that mini table saw sled first tho!

[@mikemcray5144]

Thank you John, just bought the plans :) will probably build both a hardwood and a birch plywood version 👍

[@ramachandran8666]

You should be selling these John, I know I will buy at least 6 or maybe 12 if offered in a couple of sizes (8&12") commonly used 90% of the time. I know it may sound not worth your time etc., but there are many DIY'ers and other makers who would rather spend the time on other projects than make tools and jigs that are very useful but cost-effective to buy

[@woodsniffer]

Very Cool John thanks for posting.

[@AJ-ln4sm]

Great video John, I love all your shop made tools!

[@simoneciccarelli8917]

Hi John, what a nice set of clamps! The shop and the workbench are neat and look great too. I love your videos, greetings.

[@ChrisParker-ty5tb]

john, looks rather useful site/channel. Love the look of wooden clamps.. So you have an option to purchase all your plans?

[@miltyler]

Shop looks great John! Great video!!

[@harrylambrianou6998]

The big question I'm left with is... how do you adjust these? I'm guessing it's that thin springy bit that you glued up like five at a time? But it doesn't look like that bit actually sticks out at all... So I'm left wondering how to do you move the... moveable part?

[@KipdoesStuff]

Great design as always. I could really use about 20 of these. If the bank approves my loan I will go to Menards and get the materials.

[@naturaIIydifferent]

I came from the no clamp rant to support. I gotta get some threaded rod and inserts.. these are sweet. I don't need them, but after watching this, I want some just to flex.

[@caseytozier4091]

John, Im looking at building some large/long clamps for larger furniture builds, and like you said I like the weight reduction of making them out of wood. You've made lots of different clamps over the years. Which do you think is the best of your designs for a parallel type clamp replacement?

[@woodgrain8989]

Thanks John, just bought the plans!

[@sapelesteve]

Considering what clamps cost these days, making your clamps is a no brainer John! 👍😉

[@Kolajer]

The weight issue is a hell of a good point, a forehead slapper really

[@KrazeeKraftZ]

By the time I get to making all the tools I like and need I'll possibly be too old to use them!!

[@b3owu1f]

Can you make these any length? I was tempted to spend WAY too much on 60" long clamps.. these seem like they may be a bit less than the $50 or so in price each of those clamps run.

[@TheDistur]

Nice clamps John!

[@PatLap]

Brilliant & Beautiful! ☝🏼😯

[@terrytopliss9506]

Great job John.👍👍

[@JerGoes]

I was scratching my chin thinking, 'but I quite like my single handed metal and plastic clamps why would I want to make bulkier wooden ones' Then you mentioned weight of a large glue up... and I had a flashback of a recent project that looked like an oil rig crossed with a outlaw base camp from mad max or something that weighed half a hundred weight due to the metal clamps

[@psimer]

So, I built 4 of the previous version. can i just replace the moving jaw assembly on those to this new design?

[@muddywater6856]

That is what I'm going to do on the parallel clamps. Already have extra bars of longer lengths that are used occasionally by swapping the heads from my shorter clamps. I see no problems resizing the new design to the bigger bar. Also see no problem making a parallel head that I prefer.

[@MRrwmac]

John, These new clamps are obviously the result of MANY years of experimenting, and long term testing of the earlier versions. Thanks for sharing the build and the plans with us! Only thing left for them is the MATTHIAS test. Which I’m sure you are up for, right?

[@ADVBear]

Just bought a set of plans. Thanks John!

[@Sinrise]

I love this video and I plan to make these. I'm wondering if there's any reason I can't make the bar much longer like 36" or 48"?

[@joaquinviego9052]

John, i have little to no hardwood. but loads of Poplar and pine boards. Can i make any of your clamps out of these?

[@wobblysauce]

And for a tight clamp, they have that bit of flex in them.

[@mariano_353]

Awesome multi-cam footage

[@gregcruce802]

I've seen builds for various shop tools do you know where they can be had

[@mitziseyfferdt3866]

Wow John, these are gorgeous ❤

[@MapleJames76]

Which table saw blade is your favorite, John? For work (windows and doors), we use the Diablo combination blade, and they have been worth the money. Great build, fist bumps from Canada

[@jarodmorris611]

Not sure my opinion matters but I bought a cheap Delta chop saw for $30 off of Craiglist years ago. Went and spent more on a Diablo blade than I did the saw and I've never regretted it.

[@jesper1406]

Uhhh, John goes all Frank Howarth with stop motion animation... 😱😱😱😂

[@RussWilsonII]

Thanks, John!! This may be a silly question with a silly answer, but I just can’t seem to get past it. These clamps being wooden run a much higher risk of you actually gluing your clamp to the workpiece if you’re a bit sloppy w/ the glue-up. The obvious answer would be to not be sloppy, of course, but I’m wondering if you’ve ever experienced this situation?

[@AJ-ln4sm]

Put a little wax on your clamps

[@macedindu829]

@@AJ-ln4sm Also, the 2 coats of poly probably helps.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Nice design, John. I’m in for a set. Scott

[@robborrelli5411]

Hi John Great work on the clamps, I'm planning to download one of your plans and build a bunch of them as a fun and useful project. Can you confirm that the "Ultimate Clamps" would be the latest and greatest of your designs? or which one would you recommend in terms of best performance. I also like the wedge style, I'm not concerned about an extra couple steps in making them or an extra second to disengage the wedge if there's benefit in building those ones Thanks! Rob

[@sugiartohartanto526]

Semoga sehat selalu mr jhon..👍

[@GPDIY]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing!

[@havaneseday]

Great tutorial! Can't wait to build these 👍

[@LKO-limbahkayuofficial]

Karya yg luar biasa bro

[@hassleoffa]

Great job

[@mpaquin61]

I look forward to making this clamp. Can it be upsized to 2 or3 feet?

[@perokraljic7247]

Is beter for sliding base use plywood or hardwood, what thicknes and how much long can it be? Tnx

[@jamartin1]

Nice! Thanks for sharing!🙌

[@baconsoda]

Those look great and I just happen to have access to the residue from machine cut furniture ply after the pieces are removed so I'll be buying plans for sure.

[@ЯковМамедов-х6г]

Очень понравилось. Буду делать. Спасибо!

[@richardmilner4392]

Can the clamps be made from pine

[@toolchuck]

Don't I need clamps to make clamps??? 🤷‍♂️ I bought a set of plans and I'm not even going to make them, maybe... 🤦‍♂️ Material for the "Scrap Bin" rants. 😁 Nice clamp design John. 👍

[@ThemelisPikos]

This video was so damn relaxing and satisfying to watch. Keep up the great work!

[@TheStabbedGaiusJuliusCaesar]

Could you maybe make a DIY version of those one handed clamps with a trigger handle where you "pump" the trigger until it clamps down and has a quick release? :D

[@davidp8157]

Buy a small cheapy, pull it apart, scale it up , make them, and done. I did this in my business as I could not get the size I wanted in a heavy duty version, ended up making them in bulk as had huge requirements, minimum 20 plus per guy x 6 guys, plus some for installs, so actually worked out reasonable value , more importantly super heavy duty in ideal size for.our work which no one made.

[@TheStabbedGaiusJuliusCaesar]

@@davidp8157 - Unfortunately I don't have a workshop, I'm just a fan of watching this kind of content.

[@davidp8157]

@@TheStabbedGaiusJuliusCaesar you really don't need a lot of tools to start, most things take longer, but can be done with a few basic hand tools only, something like this is a perfect example, very few parts, and very basic.

[@TheStabbedGaiusJuliusCaesar]

@@davidp8157 - You still need a space to work in.

[@davidp8157]

@@TheStabbedGaiusJuliusCaesar if you have room to read a book or watch TV, uou have plenty of room for a project like this. Like anything the first step is getting started.

[@henrywall3683]

Clamps look great. I need to build some of them. Keep up the great work John. Bought the plans

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Thanks for sharing.

[@TimothyHall13]

Best clamps ever!

[@ripa220]

John, you are the man.

[@AlfredPoor]

John, long-time fan and customer for some of your plans. I get it that the T-nuts cost less than a threaded insert, but what about simply cutting threads in the wood directly? Not strong enough, or not durable enough? The block seems long enough that you'd get pretty solid purchase, especially with oak or maple.

[@JohnHeisz]

Tapping the wood is strong enough and may be durable enough. But you need a tap to do it and you can buy a lot of t-nuts for the cost of one tap. Or you can make a tap from a piece of threaded rod, which isn't something most woodworkers want to do. Either way, the t-nut is the fastest and easiest.

[@AlfredPoor]

@@JohnHeisz thanks for the quick reply! I agree with all your points. (I am terrible at coloring inside the lines however, so I might go ahead and try my tap in spite of your sage advice.)

[@geekamole]

The t-nut option seems superior. The threads have to support all the clamping force, so wooden threads would need to be deeper and tighter fitting. But the mechanism would be stiffer to turn and not as durable.

[@scott8351]

Another commenter suggested the T-nut on top was a weak point and should be on the bottom. I am milling up the wood to make a set of these. I have a tap and T-nuts, but I think I will add a little epoxy and use the T-nuts as John installed them (w the #4 screw as well). I trust John since he has designed more clamps than anyone.

[@JohnHeisz]

@@scott8351 I think one commenter also said that the moon is made of green cheese. listen to the commenters at your own peril, especially the ones who don't have anything at all to show that they have a clue about what they are saying. if the t-nut needed epoxy, I'd have put epoxy there. It doesn't - the screw is enough.

[@gregcruce802]

I'm interested in the large shop tools

[@switchofftogettagrip1400]

Thanks for the plug for youtube's best woodworkers will grab the names from transcript :) and bookmark them for future use. Never know what one can learn! Fixed, you tube has strange ways of setting things up, grab those names and book mark them for review (not everyone will like everything, so do your own research).

[@CodyBrandt580]

Quick question. How big of a rod of all-thread did you need to make that many clamps?

[@marcenariahobby7pallet]

Parabéns pelo seu trabalho 🇧🇷👏👍👊🤝🇧🇷💯

[@WoodandMetalGarage]

John we miss you brother man!

[@andersax1]

What's the longest usable length that would work for these do you think? 4 foot, 6, 12 foot? Also how long did it take to make 10 clamps? I need to know so I can times that by 3, and that will be how long it takes me to make :) Thanks John!

[@muddywater6856]

With a well equipped work area, my guess is about 1to 1.5 hours a clamp for a batch of 10 or so....start to finish. Once the jigs are built, you could cut this time 40% or so. Or, you could just enjoy making them as a weekend fidgit.

[@darkosimic86]

These look fantastic John! Does it have to be hardwood? I think it would be great if you came up with some nice space-saving way to store these and made a build video of that too.

[@JohnHeisz]

You can use softwood.

[@Take-the-Ticket]

A bit of wood trivia I learned a while back. Hardwood and softwood doesn't actually tell you about the hardness or softness of the wood - a wood is classified as a hardwood if the seeds that the tree produces have a coating in the form of a fruit or a shell. Softwoods produce seeds that don’t have a coating, which are dropped to the ground. So lots of hardwoods are soft and vice-versa :)