Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Viral_Jim on 19 November 2019, 09:44:30

Title: Question for the wood / metal workers amongst you
Post by: Viral_Jim on 19 November 2019, 09:44:30

So, I've been to Aldi again...  ;D

They currently have these clamps in stock (https://www.aldi.co.uk/large-ratcheting-bar-clamps-2-pack/p/094624149004501) along with two small ones in a pack for £4.99. They're one of those things that I only need occasionally, but when I don't have them to hand, jobs can be a real b!tch. I am looking to modify these with some longer bar (say 750 -900mm) to make a cheap version of these (https://www.toolstation.com/irwin-quick-grip-medium-duty-bar-clamp/p23767). I don't need the extra clamping force of the Irwins as I have two sash clamps if I really need to hold something tight.

I realise I could just buy the Irwins, but for clamping boxes / drawers I could really do with four as a minimum, so for the sake of an hour's work, I'd rather spend £20-30 on clamps rather than close to £100. Especially as they will only be used a hand full of times each year.

So, my question... The metal I want to replace is flat bar with a 5mm x 20mm profile. Will mild steel work for this, or will something more rigid be required? The existing bars don't flex at all with just hand pressure over a 300mm length which makes me think they might be something tougher than mild steel   ???
 

Title: Re: Question for the wood / metal workers amongst you
Post by: aaronjb on 19 November 2019, 10:06:04

The bar will be primarily in tension with only a little twisting motion across the 20mm dimension .. 5mm mild steel bar ought to work fine, I'd have thought

Title: Re: Question for the wood / metal workers amongst you
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 November 2019, 10:41:19

Four short lengths of L shaped aluminium and a pair of narrow ratchet straps...

Title: Re: Question for the wood / metal workers amongst you
Post by: Nick W on 19 November 2019, 12:11:07

Mild steel will be more than good enough.


I've a collection of G-cramps(most of them Record) rescued from bins because the rotating foot was missing. That's about 5minutes work and a few pence worth of steel to fix.


Have you asked around for used ones?

Title: Re: Question for the wood / metal workers amongst you
Post by: Viral_Jim on 19 November 2019, 15:49:46

Thanks all,

Nick: I have asked about, but from a family side, my dad is still a keen woodworker so he's claimed what was going spare and most of my friends are either actual/wannabe DIY'ers who use their own, or are of the 'snowflake millenial' persuasion like me who wouldn't know what one was if you hit them over the head with it!  ;)

Having phoned a local steel stockist that's on my way home, I think I'm looking at around £5.75 total cost per clamp. Which I am happy to pay.