Holding irregular material off the end of the table

[rcnewcomb]

We have some projects coming up where we need to texture the top and sides of some irregular shaped pieces. We could use some ideas about how to hold the material when we are hanging it off the end of the table. Unlike a flat board, these pieces present some challenges for clamping. See the photos below which show the backs and undersides. Note that these pieces are supplied to us already assembled by the cabinet maker.

4998

4999

[srwtlc]

Some kind of overhanging custom vac jig comes to mind.

[loriny]

If holes in the backs are not a problem I would screw them to 3/4 inch plywood which I would then screw down to the table. That is if I correctly understand what you are trying to do.
Lorin

[navigator7]

What about something like a slot and biscuit?

[rcnewcomb]

Scott,
The vac jig is a possibility.

Lorin,
Sorry, we can't put holes in anything so clamps or vacuum are about the only options.

Chuck,
quote:What about something like a slot and biscuit?
Can you explain that further?

[mikeacg]

Chuck,

I like the slot/biscuit idea but it sounds like a no go since they can't put holes in.

How much cutting are you talking Randall? Maybe just some good carpet tape would work?

Mike

[navigator7]

@ Randall and Michael,
This spring I had the good fortune to install a Trex deck on a dock for a multimillion dollar home.
I say this tongue and cheek because the process was a female canine.
Recently, I was at another home job for a different issue and noticed the customer had installed the same type if Trex decking I had worked on. However, the installer had used a biscuit joiner or a router to cut a grove in the edge of the plank. (Like tongue and grove) The groves were cut where the supporting beams crossed underneath. Inserted was a piece of what looked like really strong plastic, ABS or some such.
A biscuit!
Only one screw held down both boards.
Being part machinist, on the verge of buying a bot and thinking about hold downs I immediately saw value in the system.
Up to that point, I hated Trex because the dang Trex screws break off for no reason, the bits provided fracture marring the surface.
With this system, nothing gets marred. If you are gonna do Trex...this method works well.

If you can or can't cut slots into the edge of your material ..........
Consider some version of this:


5000
Plus....who was the guy here selling the wooden cams with the aluminum inserts?
That was a heck of a good system!

[beacon14]

wooden cams with the aluminum inserts

welcometothesandbox.com (http://welcometothesandbox.com/)

Thanks for the endorsement Chuck!

[navigator7]

Welcome David!
I love those things!
Sorry to admit I stole the idea for use with some oak pallet material.
We were having a tough time with some pricey tongue and groove being damaged by smacking during to 0ºf freezing weather.
I made some 3' long cams with a metal insert and a big screw and we were able to force the tongue and groove together with no damage.

[oddcoach]

air cylinders

5001


5002


5003

[navigator7]

John,
Are those custom wooden holders for the air cylinders?

Bimbas?

[oddcoach]

They are aluminum on steel posts. they can be set up anywhere on the plate the white pieces are delrin and used for alignment

[wberminio]

Nice Setup,John


Erminio

[benchmark]

Randall,

Morris Dovey had a great idea for mounting components off the end of the table..... http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/Projects/Bevel/


Paul

[navigator7]

Great post, Paul.
Love that idea.
I love making tools with tools.

[woodworx]

5004

[pete]

John H.

Would you share your source and part numbers for the air cylinders pls. I need some, but there seem to be so many to choose from - it would be good to get what you have already working.

TIA

Pete

[oddcoach]

I will post them as soon as i find the list. I know its here somewhere.

[oddcoach]

I am actually getting ready to make some more of the cylinder setups I can make some more if anybody is interested.

John

[bob_s]

John
Do you have any idea what the cost per clamp would be?
thanks

[oddcoach]

I didn't forget about you guys If I can an idea how many guys would be interested it would help me with setup times etc. leave a message here or shoot me an email
John

[frank134]

Hi I think I might me interested. Please e-mail me at frank134@hotmail.com if you go ahead with it. I would also like to know what the back plate is made out of?
thank you
frank

[paul60]

found these on ebay,
not sure if any of these might work
was thinking of using a clamp system myself.
paul

http://compare.ebay.com/like/350437951260?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=208823959148&crlp=1_263602_309572&UA=WXI6&GUID=0c8373f812e0a0aa1254f3e4fea1ea83&itemid=350437951260&ff4=263602_309572