Do you have a cutting board that needs to be clamped, or a panel that needs to be glued up? Now you can save yourself a ton of cash by making your own! EMT conduit is incredibly cheap and is strong as steel. This is a fun project that will give you a sense of pride after finishing it.
Cast iron drill press vice...the vice I was raving about ... amzn.to/3eATYm9
Knobs you can buy ... amzn.to/2L2KIJH
Knobs you can make ... www.instructables.com/id/Stup...
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Music:
"Fuzzball Parade" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
Instructable for this panel clamp is now available! Make sure you check it out before building as there is more information for the build! Tell me what you think! www.instructables.com/id/Conduit-Panel-Clamps-cheap/
why dont you just use kendof
In the Instructables article you still don't tell us what's so important about drilling right on the weld seam. This is one line in the *step 3* section of the article: "Make absolutely sure your outside reflects the identical side of the seem." I think this means, "Make absolutely sure your outside line reflects where the seam is on the inside." If that's not what you mean then I've missed something somewhere.
Weldone, adjustable, cheap and strong materials, thanks a lot Dera wood worker!
Very good video. Made similar clamps about a year ago. Shop addition suggestions: 1) V - Blocks (can be rough blocks cheaply made, but I'd recommend against it when it comes to workholding). I'd use a good tool steel, cut it over size, taking into account dimensional changes during heat treat, and NEVER leave sharp corners, especially inside corners, before heat treat. Stress risers are ALWAYS BAD. My choice is often S7, as it is dimensionally stable and best of all it is shock resistant, so those accidental impacts it may take in your shop getting hit buy something or accidentally hitting the floor, will not cause fractures in the microcrystalline structure the way it will in other materials. Those fractures can be a completely invisible for years, growing just a little bit here and there and then out of nowhere become a catastrophic failure. The S7 is a little gummy and stringy to work with in its annealed condition, but after heat treat to a Rockwell C in the 56 to 62 range, and then drawing it back sufficiently, this stuff machines and forms chips absolutely beautifully whether milling or turning or filing, grinding, sanding, beautiful stuff to work with. 2) V - Jaws for the vice. I will always have several sets of V Jaws of different material hardness and different geometry for different workholding applications, such as V jaws with horizontal V's for holding round parts or tubing the horizontally, or V jaws with vertical V's when working on the ends vertically of round parts or working the end of tubing. Various materials, like aluminum for soft jaws, low C cold rolled for less soft sets of soft jaws, and tool steels, like A2, L6, or again S7 work great. You can also use a 4340 steel or a 4140/4142 Steel for a little less expensive but still good quality jobs. The advantage here is that you can get the 4140 / 4142 as a pre-heat-treated material at a Rockwell C 28 to 32, which is going to be hard enough and give you sufficient toughness and dimensional stability to make great jaws. 3) Use an endmill to cut a small flat on round or uneven surfaces. Priceless.
👍🤚Rob you really do have an endless collection of items we all can build by your instructions. As always even making the clamps and tools to make every project so much easier. Thank you for always sharing your wonderful creations. And keep inspiring us all. Have a good week take care 💕
Thank you, I really appreciate that! I’ve always loved your content as well!
Man, you never run out of brilliant ideas! It's always a pleasure to watch your videos. Thanks for posting something for us!!
Thanks man! Talk about brilliant ideas...you’ve got so many of them with your carving that I can’t keep up with you!
lol, at first I was 🤔 and then I was 😮 This method for smaller glue ups looks like it removes a lot of the panic as well. Nice work 😉
Thanks man! If you saw the pipes I went through to get this process to work, you’d have used a crying laughing face 🤣
Hey Rob just saw your video today I’ve been electrician like 45 years I just want to give you a slight tip when you’re cutting the EMT. The way it’s normally cleaned is with a pair of channel locks, channel lock pliers. Close the pliers, upper jaw touching lower jaw . Stick their nose in the pipe twist it around to clean off the inside burrs, then open the jaws, and holding the pliers with one hand, put them on the outside and and then simply spin the pipe with the jaws loosely holding the pipe. That will take off all the sharp edges on the outside. Otherwise a great video !!
Thank you, that’s a great tip! That’s what I love about doing these videos...so many experienced folks, like yourself, with so many excellent tips. I really do appreciate it Sammy, thank you.
By the way Sammy, I’m crediting you with this tip in my next video.
Make Things Thanks, That’s great!!
Brilliant, thanks!
I could see that working great stationary on a wall where the studs are exposed. My shed has them exposed so I might do something similar.
I made something similar out of timber years ago, but for small projects. What you made is brilliant. I will be making a few of those, thanks for sharing.
Thank you Hendrik! I plan on finishing the instructable today...before you build one, glance over mine as I have a few more suggestions on how to make it work better for you. All of which will cost you nothing.
Quite enginious. Amazing idea. Congratulations.
Parabéns, um dos senão o mais simples projeto deste tipo de panel clamps que já vi até aqui no youtube. Com sua licença, vou copiar seu projeto.
Just subscribed. First video! I didn't quite get these clamps until you put the wedges in it. Love it!!
I do not do much woodworking anymore but I know the frustration and I love your fix to the problem.
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Brilliant mate, you’ve put a lot of detail into this video as well as many others you have & they really are an excellent instructional how to, cheers mate 🍻👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks Dirk...didn’t realize you had a second video, but enjoyed your first one...and seeing you in Chris’s video...what a great dynamic duo you guys are 😂
Great idea
Gentleman, i have some suggestions square tube and long nuts. Those cheap thin 1 inch square tube for cheap firniture will do, they come out from factory dead flat on each side. Just about the same price as round tube. Same as long nuts, stainess steel long nuts are just about $1 each and coming from factory, perfect for spacing. they are all unit identical. You may also add skate board bearings inside your clamp, that thing is also dirt cheap, made in Thailand, for just another $1 each.
Yeah, if you wanted to make long ones, you can get metal tubes for a not too hefty price www.metalsdepot.com/steel-products/steel-square-tube (12' of 1.5x1.5 12ga steel tube is 77 bucks. You could make two six-foot pieces out of that. Or 12' 2x2x0.25" for 85 bucks) Or Lowes carries 1.25x1.25 3' segments for 22 bucks (e.g., $44 per clamp) www.lowes.com/pd/Steelworks-1-1-4-in-W-x-3-ft-L-Zinc-Plated-Steel-Perforated-Square-Tube/3049419
A great build, so useful too, thanks for posting from Garry in the UK
Thanks Gary, cheers from the US!
Now that is a great idea. Thank you
Great job. I'll be adding a couple of these to my workshop.
They’re great, you’ll love them. Psst...watch this weeks videos before attempting. 😉
That build is AWESOME!
Thank you!
I think my brother and I wish we'd seen this over a dozen years ago when we made our own panel clamps. We used square tubing, and just one set of holes on each end, so there's no adjustment of bolt placement. There are some ideas in this video that we could have used if we'd thought about them. Thanks for the video.
First thing however remarkable is thought I had about weight. Beats my pipe clamps on that point. I have seen similar models but right now this has my attention. Thanks for great ideas.
Check out the instructable pinned at the top of the comments and if you build them, let me know how it turned out!
Excellent video ! Thanks, i never realized how strong that Conduit actually is it’s kind of the old thing you learn something new everyday ! now my wheels will be turning for other uses of it around the shop
Awesome! Send me some ideas, I’ll credit you with them!
Dang! That's clever!!
Very nice job!!!
I did the same sort of thing, but i used 2 x 2 inch lumber instead of the metal, works great, simple to drill out and cheap to buy, one thing i would advise is to use a scrap piece of wood at the opposite wood of the wedges to stop your work being damaged by the bolts, great video, keep it up
Again a great project👌
Tight!
Not only good idea, but I saved your video for later. I will be making these clamps, as they will help me a lot.
I turn around and you're halfway to the moon!!! Rock on Rob!!! You may or may not see a set of these on my workshop wall in the near future. 😎 Keep on keeping on!
Amazing idea! Good job!
Thanks Dan!
Very good my Friends
Parabéns O melhor que vi até agora.
Muito obrigado!
Nice quick job that works very well thanks for sharing 🍺🍺👍👍👍👍
Thanks man...I love giving back to the community...we can all learn so much from each other.
Hi Friend awesome project I love all things clamps. Very nice video thank you for sharing friend.
Hey Jeremy, thanks buddy! Missed seeing you!
@@MakeThings yea had messed my passwords passwords up and go a different job but starting to get back into it.
ANOTHER GREAT IDEA MAN LOVIN IT THANKS.
Nice job
Really well put together video man very nice work!
Thanks man, I appreciate it! First time with FCPX.
Really good and very well explained thank you!
Very nice and clever solution. Thanks
Thank you!
Great job! Content just keeps getting better. 🔥👊🏼🔥
Thanks Chad!
Niiiccceeee, well thought out design.
Ingenious! Bravo....!
Thank you!
Amazing... Thanks for sharing...
Im literally taking these clamps back to harbor freight tomorrow. They cant compete with this simple set up! Amazing!
Shame on you for buying anything at Harbor Freight in the first place.
@@TomKaren94 This is how it works... You go to work, money goes into your account and then at any given moment you get to spend it wherever you want and with zero shame. 😊
Great build Rob!
Thanks Dave! How’s the shop holding down?
@@MakeThings good so far. This is the slowest moving storm. Worst of it will probably be Tuesday night. Ready for it to hurry up and go past. Cat 5 right now. That's making us a little nervous
that was awesome man thank you!
Great, Thanks
Very interesting concept. Well thought out and I am sure I will see them in future videos! 🎂🍻
Thanks man...definitely! They’re hanging proudly next to my pipe clamps. 😉
Good idea for a clamp system. I've been using Steel Rack Shelving uprights. They have holes punched in them at regular spaces, are powder coated, are square so don't roll around. I got them used from a closing business for couple of dollars,
That’s an excellent idea! There are definitely better ways to do those, but not everyone has the money for it. So I went with conduit, which is relatively cheap as it manufactured to be used in construction.
I have some of that shelving material. It has square holes on opposite sides that don't line up. But I could just drill extra holes. I got them years ago when they were throwing them away. They are heavy, 1 inch square. I do woodworking/cnc videos too. Come see!
That's pretty cool. Subscribed.
Thanks Paul! Are you planning on making one?
@@MakeThings Most likely. I felt your pain watching the opening of the video, lol.
Haha
Watched Izzy Swanson make some out of wood. I like izzy but i like this way better. This will be the one i build. Thanks.
Well done, sir
Thank you!
Amazing!
Great clamp idea
Thanks man!
Very nice. Those look like they’d be handy.
It took an entire week (and a few pipes) to figure out how to drill these things so precisely down the center. Thanks for watching Don!
Make Things I can fully understand the time and frustration. That’s one of the main reasons I don’t make jigs. I’m having enough of that with my workbench design and build. 😁
Haha, I totally sympathize!
Great idea, I've done something similar using Unistrut 👍
It feels so dang good knowing you’ve found a way to beat the system! Do you pictures? I’d love to see how you made yours.
I am needing to make some of those!!
DUDE!! I was thinking of you when I made this video...I even thought to send you an Instagram message...these are perfect for cutting boards!
@@MakeThings i am actually getting ready to start some larger glue ups for end tables, so i quess a trip to the hardware store is in order for my sunday errands :) very timely release of your video and it is a good thing i HAVE THAT BELL CLICKED :) :)
Hope This Works haha, thanks for that. Be very careful you get those tubes drilled in the center. They are nearly impossible to line up otherwise. I wasted a few tubes trying to get it right.
A good solid design Rob 😉 ॐ
Thanks Chris. You’re a good constructor of ideas yourself. 😉
Excellent idea! Will make a set for myself and will check out your cool looking handles for the bolts. Added this video to my like list and subscribed. :)
Thanks man! Check out the instructable and let me know how it turns out, okay?
Buy some UNISTRUT.
Brilliant !
Thank you!
Necessary, Very Important, Needed, exactly, check and check again, Gonna Want to, need to etc etc. Wow, this one was out there. Think I would rather just wing it the hard way.
Bloody awesome, had no idea these existed. Will be making some, may go for square tubing unless there are any down sides apart from cost?
Great project. I always find that, if I see the completed project first, it is much easier for me to understand what you are doing and why. It is also easier for me to remember the things that you say are absolutely critical if you tell me why it is critical. For example, you went to great lengths to make sure the holes lined up with the weld seam in the conduit but I still don't know why that's so important. Thanks again for a great channel.
A question: why all the holes? The clamps work to clamp wide glue-ups with the screw at each end, why can't you use the same holes when the project is in the center of the clamps? If it's good enough for wide projects it should be good enough for the narrow ones too. Or am I missing something? *_EDIT: I think the answer to my question is that, if the clamping screws are too far from the edges of the work, the pipes would bow in the middle and let the work piece bow too._* And I didn't really understand what the spacer was for. Thanks for sharing your knowledge to us noobs.
Hey Robert! I keep trying to answer your question but keep getting lost in the comments. The reason it’s so important to drill on the weld seem is because it’s your reference. Because that’s the only straight line on the entire tube, I used it as a reference to drill the other holes. Getting off of the only reference will cause all kinds of misalignment and, (believe me, a fellow newber) all kinds of funny words to come out of your mouth. The reason for the spacer is so that the threads on the bolt don’t dig into the wedges and destroy them. Thanks Robert and I’m sorry for taking so long to finally get back with you.
@@MakeThings Hey, no worries. Thanks for the reply. The weld seam is a reference. That makes so much sense. I thought that maybe the pipe might get squished along that line if the holes were not on that axis. Thanks again.
Very cool, if someone had a cheap/free source for unistrut (normally expensive but your clamps are in the range that an electrical contractor might leave as cut-offs) they could skip all the hole drilling and go right to the knob and wedge part. In fact, I might try that!
GREAT idea!
I love it! Checked your channel's content and subscribed. Keep up the great work please. 😉👍
Thanks, there are so many more ideas I have!
what a great idea
Thanks Jerry, very much appreciated.
Proverbial build or buy... I buy. Thanks for the vid, cheers.
Thanks for watching!
Great video. I've been putting off buying the drill vise, but used your link and bought one. I'll be making some of these. Also not sure how it took this long to find you, but subscribed. Look forward to exploring more of your videos. Keep up the good work.
Thanks man! Let me know what you think of my projects in the future!
That's a cute little vice 🍼
His name is Kirby...when he squeaks I give him oil.
@@MakeThings Dawwwww💕
Awesome job! clear, concise and two the point. Thanks for all your hard work in putting this video together for all of us. It is greatly appreciated. Subscribed to your channel, and best wishes for future projects.
Thank you, that means a lot! I think this project took me about 70 hours!
masterpiece.
Awsomesauce - Llike 20 hot dogs awesome sir! :-) - I'm very happy to see those view numbers! :-) All the best!!
Are YOU a sight for sore eyes!! Thanks Daniel, I miss you man!
Just found your channel and I love it, I am now a subcriber
Glad to have you aboard! How did you find us? Suggested video or KZhead search?
Cool beans. Thanks for a great idea ;)
Hey thank you for the compliment (and what you did in the other comment)!
Hehe. No, I should apologize for that. It's rude of me. Some comments just really get under my skin. It's tough to make a video. Good luck.
Thank you
My pleasure!
after cutting a shitload of this stuff for a project with a sabre saw last year I'll share a tip I wish I had know: you can cut the EMT pipe with a regular pipe cutter that you'd use for plumbing pipes. Much safer and more accurate than a saber saw or angle grinder.
They make them for steel? The only ones I know of are for copper. Man, if that’s true, you’ve done me a huge favor! Thank you!!
Same blade as for copper, just don't go as crazy on the tensioner since the EMT is a bit stronger.
@@scapuano0 this is good info. Thank you both.
Well done on the views and sub count on this one! I am going to have to up my game as you have nearly caught me!
Haha, I could never match up to the great tools. Thanks man!
@@MakeThings Only 500 away...
@@MakeThings You've well and truly passed me now, congrats sir!
use a tubing cutter for the emt tubing .. cut it about half way to 3/4's of the way. then snap it.. no burs
Pretty good! I think due to my limited tooling (no drill press) I would probably just pick up a 10' chunk of unistrut from to accomplish this. Twice the price, but super stiff and no drilling required. They even make t-nuts that slide in the channel instead of having to remove the bolt each time.
Keep an eye on this channel in the next month...we’ll be revisiting this build 🤫
I made some panel clamps out of it. I also made some claps using heavy angle and welding the head of a couple carriage bolts to lock the angle on them. Then I can use them on one side like a pipe clamp and you can move the foot or bottom jaw in any set of holes just like the top too. Then I go on the back side and put the second bar to bolt them together to stop the cup. I used the stuff that is only 5/8 tall by 1 5/8 wide. I made me a couple of sets and I have had them about 6 years. You do not need to drive any wedges as you snug them down like a pipe clamp first before pinching the 2 sides together to stop it from cupping. I probably should make a video so one of these youtubers can see and pass it on. You can get some wick large panels clamped tight in all 4 directions. But to make them like I did you have to weld a couple parts to make the clamp.
Nice!
Thanks buddy!
Nice vintage intro, Rob!!
Thanks Cory!!
Nice.
Thanks man!
Absolutely Necessary
I made similar ones out of unistrut,, much easier for drilling. Good job 👍
Unistrut was the first thing I thought of when I saw what he was building.
Really awesome thank you for sharing. Instant sub here!
Thanks Carl!
Instead of using the seam as a centre reference, you can straddle the tube with a piece of angle iron running the length and mark accordingly, this will avoid any issues with your ruler shifting around.
Excellent tip, thank you! I’ll save that idea for later.
Hey Make! I found you a while ago, and have now refound you! I need no refund for my time. It was well spent. I enjoy your simple honesty and creativity. I will keep watching!
Thanks Dave, and call me Rob...Make is my stage name!
@@MakeThings You said you changed your name to Make Things! LOL I still meant the compliments! Your simplicity of style and your humor are a great draw! Keep on keepin' on!
This is perfect for what I want to do! I want to make panel glue-ups but am significantly concerned about the bowing. This solves that. One question, do you use the traditional pipe clamps with this to squeeze the wood together or is that what the wedges are for? Great clamps!
Good video and good clamp. To stop glue sick to them, use Butcher wax regularly on your tubes, it helps.
Thank you...that’s a power tip!
Great tip
I’m using your tip in my instructable and crediting it to you, ronin4711. If you’d rather I didn’t use your username, please let me know.
Cool build, but for me I think I will stick with my not so cheap clamps, and the broken cheap ones :)
Just made these out of stainless steel pipe. Went through a few cobalt drill bits in the process
Yeah, stainless steel can be a beast. How did it turn out for you? Send me a DM @makethingswithrob . I’d love to see them!
I’ll take a picture of them tomorrow for sure. We demolished the regular HSS bits because my dad is old and stubborn. So initially we only managed to drill the first set of holes in two of the clamps. I didn’t know much about drill bits and just went to Home Depot and bought a single 3/8 bit with cobalt in it and actually followed your “little by little technique, shortened the jig so the bars were resting on the vise but that the vise only Hit the wood. Didn’t use a square and just eye balled it vertically. The vise was bolted to the drill press table with ability to make micro adjustments on both X and Y access. We used 1.5” stainless steel, had one 9’ foot pipe and a 10’ pipe laying around and made three clamps altogether. The single bit got through the first two sets ok. On the third set, we only managed to make three sets of holes before the drill press started continuously dropping the chuck out of the press. Eventually got it to stick and only the last hole, the bit got some extremely hot that the steel was bright bright red. Oh and we lit the wood jig on fire about 5 times and went through an entire can of WD40 with a completely demolished drill bit. All in all super happy and a success. Lol
Haha, that’s awesome! Looking forward to seeing it!
New sub. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks man!
Perforated square tubing is more expensive but way less work; its another option:)
Definitely, thanks buddy!
Hi sir. Have my like-subscribe. Very well deserved!
Wow thank you!
Make Things this is a amazing video and awesome channel thank you for creating this great content you inspire people around the world with this awesome channel....Keep up the great work you do.....A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+
Very clever idea, but when I made some for a a 36" wide panel, I and had a problem with the center of the EMT flexing when I tightened the bolts. Any suggestions ?
This is the best and most coolest idea I've seen yet! And I'm a welder and fabricator....Doh!
New subscriber.
I love this and want to make some (he says after a buckled glue-up). Is there any reason you wouldn't have used square tubing to do this? It seems like there would be much less risk of the tube moving while you drill those holes.