Tool Talk
Woodworking Forum => Woodworking Forum => Topic started by: Mel Larsen on September 11, 2012, 04:52:54 PM
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In the post I made about the P&W Thread Chasers some one suggested that I would be able to make my own Wood Clamps. Well that reminded me of the Wooden Clamp I have had Hanging on the shop wall for some time now. It is all wood and has a nice patina. Has the letters F.A.C.O. on both jaws. It has a few chips out of the threads, but not many.
Mel
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/lugnut/Tools%20for%20Tool%20Talk/IMG_1151.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/lugnut/Tools%20for%20Tool%20Talk/IMG_1152.jpg)
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These are wonderful tools! I've always used mine. Shoot, if you have the taps and dies, you could make your own, just like the old carpenters, the really old ones, used to do.
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I do have a Tap and the die shouldn't be too hard to make.
Mel
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Nice clamp. I too have a tap and screwbox'plus instructions on making a wooden clamp. If only I had a space in my shop big enough to use them.
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Nice clamp. I too have a tap and screwbox'plus instructions on making a wooden clamp. If only I had a space in my shop big enough to use them.
The clamps or the screw box and tap?
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These are wonderful tools! I've always used mine. Shoot, if you have the taps and dies, you could make your own, just like the old carpenters, the really old ones, used to do.
Ordinary metal tap/die set or does it take something "special" for wood?
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There taps and dies for wood, the tap I have is the same size as is used on broom handles, they make a tap for the same purpose.
Mel
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Original wood taps are pretty hard to get. For some reason, everyone saved the dies, (rectangular blocks of wood with a cutter and sometimes handles on the sides).
but the taps are much harder to get.
They made modern ones and they are pretty cheap. Woodcraft Supply and Rockler and all the regular dealers carry them. About $30 I think. I bought a 3/4" set (yard sale 5 bux for me)
This is the size of broom handles and probably the size of this clamp.
The tap works really good and effortless. But the die is very persnickety.
The stock has to be ---very perfect-- wood stock, the cutter razor sharp and set just so, and you have to slather everything in oil to the point of slop city, gushing.
If a guy wanted/needed to make dozens of them, all these things can be taken care of.
Just to make one though, its kind of a pain. At least in my experience.
yours Scott
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Ordinary metal tap/die set or does it take something "special" for wood?
Quite a bit coarser for wood. I don't think metal taps and dies are made that will do the threading we're looking at.
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Original wood taps are pretty hard to get. For some reason, everyone saved the dies, (rectangular blocks of wood with a cutter and sometimes handles on the sides). but the taps are much harder to get.
yours Scott
For "some reason" indeed! The taps are also harder to make. If you have the tap, you can use it to make the die, but if you only have the die, you got a lot of work in front of you to make the tap. I've only found one tap in the past 30 years. Just one. It became mine instantly (Didn't need to say that, did I?).
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The tap I have is 1" by 6 threads per inch. My lathe will only cut up to 8 threads per inch but that would do. the tap would be easy, a piece of tool steel, cut the threads, cut the reliefs, and heat treat it. The die would be a little more involved. I have made smaller taps be for. I have never attempted a die. Guess I will have to try it.
Mel