Magnetic clamps

I like the right angle magnetic clamp set 85829, which I use on a steel plate screwed to my workbench. (Micro Mark sells a similar plate and set of magnets for about twice what they cost at Home Depot.) Most of my clamps are low tech things found at hardware stores, craft shops and beauty supply places:

I also get a lot of mileage out of some assorted Legos:

pqe

Many thanks!

Heh,

I'd forgotten the flipped clothespins and the LEGO trick. Love the hair clips!

Bob

Search on "clamps" ...

...in the search box on the upper right corner of any page here. You will find Lots of discussion of various clamps for many uses.

Check out Micro Mark # 60304

I have used Micro Mark #60304  for many years. It is very helpful in keeping things square. The ten -inch size limit can be problematic if you build large structures.

Coffman clamps

I haven't personally used them, but I consistently hear good things about the Coffman Engineering "Right Clamps"

Mike in CO

Assembly Aids

I've used a Coffman Right Clamp for years and can highly recommend it for making 90 degree corners.  The Right Clamp does take a little practice to learn to use. Make sure the work pieces are aligned properly in the clamp and the clamping pressure is adjusted correctly before applying glue. Check everything several times as adjusting one side of the clam may cause the other work piece to move. After a couple of tries, you'll figure it out.  

I also agree with Mark; the other tool I use on almost every structure build is the Micro Mark Magnetic Gluing Jig.  

I highly recommend both for anyone who builds structures or rolling stock- any assembly the requires gluing at right angle. They are worth the investment, are well built and you'll wonder how you ever got along without them.

Lou

Think outside MRRing

Something like this works well too

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/561339/Office-Depot-Brand-Binder-Clips-Medium/

Steve

Recycled magnetic jig

This is off a defunct electronic component.  An old VCR, DVD, CD, tape deck, amp. receiver...etc.some magnets, stronger are better, and you are off to the races.

I picked up a combo right clamp from Coffman a while back but I have not used it yet.  It's a great clamp from what I have heard.

Regards,

Clamps

Those are great low tech, low cost clamps!!!  Just my price.

I suggest 1-2-3 blocks or

I suggest 1-2-3 blocks or similar weights, to weigh down glued parts. They work for everything. Clamps do two things very well in my experience. They don't automatically square the structure. And they rarely, securely hold the wall seam 100%.

On the other hand at the dollar store you can find the wee little black squeeze clamps. Thos are cheap and very handy.

Anything you can find on Micro-Mark you can find on Amazon for major reductions in cost and shipping. AND the store on amazon is usually a local hobby shop or similar.

Need some links and numbers

Kevin, What and where are those red magnets?

Pelsea, How about a link to the plate and clamps from Home Depot?

Thanks , Blayne

Red Magnets

Clamps

I agree, clamps only excel at applying pressure.  This is why I like to use a jig or fixture and clamps together if I can.  Not my idea, just something I learned from my father.

Dad may not have used a fixture like mine, however just the other day I used the DVD case and magnets to quickly assemble a small styrene light box for a backlight in the building I am detailing using MEK and thin strips of scrap styrene to make strong corner joints.  It went together very quickly and turned out perfect.  It worked out so well mostly because of the tools I used.  Magnetic gluing jig, Chopper II, Miter Pliers. A-west bottle with MEK solvent.

Regards,

Cheap magnets

My home depot magnets are cabinet latches with the plastic stripped off. Shop around, they were on sale for $0.80 when I bought them. Any hardware store has something similar.

Steel plates are just as common. They are unlikely to be flat, so screw it to a piece of ply or directly to your workbench.

pqe

I have a set of these

And I am never going to anything else.

http://www.micromark.com/Rite-Way-Magnetic-Clamp-System-for-HO-and-O-Scale,11073.html?sc=WGB&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=GoogleBase&gclid=CP2Sh9fP3dECFdpMDQod5O4CKQ

Clamp info

Thanks Kevin and Pelsea. Harbor Freight is just down the street and when I took one of my box of 50 used cabinet latches apart it looked just like yours, Pelsea.

Blayne

Mini Clamps

My wife found these clamps a our local Kroger, and I bought them out!  They work great.  They hold parts well, and do not "over-squeeze" the parts together.  And they only cost around 0.53-cents each!  

The entire construction of this model can be see here ...  https://www.facebook.com/john.bellucci.3/media_set?set=a.10205383673371374.1073741939.1235367200&type=3

Clamps...

Bob...

I wrote an entire article on vises, clamps, and angle plates for the March 2014 issue of Model Railroad Hobbyist. Go to Magazine/Back Issues on the MRH homepage to read it.

Jack Burgess

Paper Clip Clamps

For some applications, you need a really 'light touch' clamp just to keep things from moving while the cement/glue sets without marring the basswood. I use paper clips. I bend both ends to the right angle for the particular job. It is also quite easy to set the correct tension with them as well. I usually have a dozen sitting in a box. They can be reused and reshaped as often as needed.

Jack, Many thanks! I've just

Jack,

Many thanks! I've just now opened that issue from my HD.

Bob