So obvious I never saw it.

What a great idea, Lew.  Why didn't I think of this, like, a zillion years ago.

Thanks so much.

Modelers workbench - clamps by the dozen

I have been using this type of clamp for years.  Very useful. You can also miter the end or norrow them to get into tight corners or spaces.

Bruce Wilson

Barrie, Ontario

Clamps

Also been using for years. Recommend picking up several different brands (I get them from relatives), since each company seems to have a different spring strength.

Andy

Wooden Clamps

Thanks for the memories.  I saw this in a mag (MR?) MANY years ago - but I forgot about it.  If gluing the clamps to the workpiece is a concern, use some hot melt glue and attach a piece of polyethylene to the clamping face.  I use coffee can lids for all sorts of applications where I need a release surface.

Clamps by the dozen

What a great tip... Just made 10 of them till I got caught by my wife for stealing them from her clothes pin apron

Guess I'll have to buy my own!

Al

Interesting

I have a bunch of them in my other toolbox.  I never thought of reversing them.  I'll have to give it a try when I get back to structure building.

Clothespin Clamps Article

Great article showing an inexpensive solution with good step by step pictures.

More Clamp Tricks

    A clever adaptation of a common household item, I was so impressed I ran down to the local Walmart to buy a bag of regular clothes pins so I could make up a bunch of my own. While there I wandered over to the craft aisle and found a bag of mini clothes pins about 1 inch in length. I was able to apply the method to reverse the jaws and now have a bunch of mini clamps just about the size of small alligator clips but with nice flat, soft jaws and not too much spring force for those small projects. Thanks for the tip.

Lew, Nice Trick - My Suggestions

I liked this idea. Nothing beats top quality tools "on the cheap". I modified some clothespins I had on hand. I had some difficulty using them - they were not very stable using the suggested modification. I attempted some additional modifications.

1. With Rattail file, create groove to cradle the spring coil in it's new position.

2. With "razor" saw, create grooves for the ends of spring.

3. Add stabilizer using pieces of wooden ice cream (coffee stirrer) sticks.

Diagrams:

Original:

Modify: (Red for cuts, Green for stabilizers)

Finished item:

The stabilizers are glued to the bottom section with carpenters glue.