Cramping Tips

Cramping Tips Compiled by Richard Nice

1. Right Angle Brackets can be simply made and used to support the work piece, as shown below. When you are assembling frames and carcase a right angle bracket cramped to the workpiece will keep it upright and stop it falling over, while you work.

2. Sash cramps bowing the diagram above shows how a sash cramp will bow, this knowledge can be used to your advantage.

If for instance you wish to apply pressure to a wide board that a ordinary G cramp can't reach, use a sash cramp and insert a softwood block under the middle of the bar to stop any bents or staining.

Because the bar is bowed the cramp heads are no longer square to the work, this is why thin boards have a tenancy to "Jump" out of the cramps if cramped on one side only, therefore it is standard practice to alternate sash cramps on either side of the work. On tops that are cupped you can use this technique to straighten out the board by cramping to the underside of the board when gluing up.

3. Cramp head marking your work! Look no further! Cut out some ( Knot free ) softwood blocks to suite the size of your sash cramp bar in the style below, and then slip in between the cramp heads for mark free cramping.

4. Sash cramps falling over! See number two above for a softwood cramping block which will also keep your sash cramps upright and stop them falling over.

5. Battens at least four 3" X 3" X the width of the carcase of what you are trying to cramp up are idea for pulling in the sides flat. If you just use sash cramps the ends will pull in and not the middle but with a 3" X 3"batten will spread the load across the entire width.

6. Car Inner Tubes are excellent for cutting into strips about an 1 inch wide and used as a wrap around cramp, just over lap the strip to start off and finish off by tucking the loose end under a strip to hold it in position, especially usefully on repairing chair legs or round work etc.

7. Cramping mitres with sash cramps.

8. Cramping Repairs to Veneers. I have several steel blocks of varies sizes that can be laved on the top of repairs ( but remember to insert a sheet of paper in between the veneer and steel otherwise it will stain the veneer) to weigh them down they can also be heated before applying to soften the glue.

9. Cramping with a sand bag. If you need to cramp a complex shape such as a carved moulding you can make a simple sand bag, which will not mar the work. A plastic bag filled with dry fine sand and then inserted into a cotton shirt sleeve with a knot at either end will cater for most jobs.

10. Luggage straps. Can be used for cramping chair and frames there are various types but the best are those with a ratchet which you can increase the pressure.