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bent lamination: using strap clamp

stantheman's picture

bent lamination: using strap clamp (post #163176)

stantheman on Sun, 03/06/2011 - 16:52
in

Hey folks

I am making a bent lamination apron for a demi-lune table.  It occurred to me that it might be easier to use ordinary ratcheting belts in a  strap clamp set up, rather than a large number of hand clamps spaced around the edge of my form.  Does this seem like a good idea? 

I mean taking 1-2 wide ratcheting belts and have the straps run parallel with my laminated boards, around the convex  form, tightened in the back.  Its a fairly thight curve, and I am not comfortable that I can get enough hand clamps in position to get  good even pressure.

Any thoughts welcome.

-A +A
DonStephan's picture

Seems like a tight belt might (post #163176, reply #1 of 3)

by DonStephan in reply to stantheman [original] on Sun, 03/06/2011 - 18:48

Seems like a tight belt might work.  Make a couple dry runs to see how long it takes to get everything assembled and clamped, and how tight the laminations are to each other.  One issue may be that the laminations tend to slip and slide some when glue applied, so make provision to keep aligned with each other.  Also plan the use of wax paper or something else to keep glue off your straps.  Hope it works out well.

renthal's picture

Web Clamp for Lamination (post #163176, reply #3 of 3)

by renthal in reply to stantheman [original] on Sun, 03/13/2011 - 10:37

I was in a class where some of us made a form and used multiple clamps. We were getting short of clamps, so someone put a 2x4 perpendicular to the inside of the form, sort of looked like a crossbow. Used a wide ratcheting clamp. The lamination turned out the best, it was smoother because of the even pressure. I also thought about a metal band to help distribute the pressure better, like steam bending.

stantheman's picture

thanks guys.  I'll report on (post #163176, reply #2 of 3)

by stantheman in reply to stantheman [original] on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 16:04

thanks guys.  I'll report on how it works