Hennessy Posted May 5, 2013 Report Posted May 5, 2013 once in me younger days back in australia i made some clamps from wooden barrel staves, they worked orright too..not much work getting them up to workin status just a li'l imagination eh ! Quote
Members MMArmoury Posted May 13, 2013 Members Report Posted May 13, 2013 (edited) Here is the clamp I bought a few weeks ago. I found it in an antique shop. My best guess is that it was maybe used for repairing machine driving belts in the old mills around here as it resembles a similar clamp shown in R.A. Salaman's Dictionary of Leatherworking Tools. I used it for the first time yesterday at an event. Edited May 13, 2013 by MMArmoury Quote MinuteMan Armoury www.freewebs.com/mmarmoury
Members Invasion Posted December 27, 2014 Author Members Report Posted December 27, 2014 Well it has been some time since this post was created. I have finally got myself a clam, from Abbey England -had a long break due to really bad health problems- I haven't had a chance to use it yet; but it seems too long. The other problem is it is really hard to pull apart to insert my work...I must be doing something wrong ??? any ideas ??? Quote
Members Basically Bob Posted December 28, 2014 Members Report Posted December 28, 2014 Mine was too long for me, also. To solve this issue, I measured from the ground to the height that suited me, disassembled the clam and cut each of the wooden jaws off at the bottom at the appropriate spot. The jaws are rather tight so I just loosened off the bolt at the bottom as much as I could. I have developed a way of spreading the jaws with one hand, from the inside of the clam. Bob Quote
Members Avgvstvs Posted December 28, 2014 Members Report Posted December 28, 2014 Bob, do you remember what shipping cost you when you got your clam from abbey? Quote
Members Basically Bob Posted December 29, 2014 Members Report Posted December 29, 2014 Yes, It was just under $50.00 CDN. I ordered thread and some pricking irons at the same time. I found Abbey very good to deal with and their customer service was excellent. Quote
Members Avgvstvs Posted December 29, 2014 Members Report Posted December 29, 2014 Good to know, thanks! Quote
Members Invasion Posted December 29, 2014 Author Members Report Posted December 29, 2014 Mine was too long for me, also. To solve this issue, I measured from the ground to the height that suited me, disassembled the clam and cut each of the wooden jaws off at the bottom at the appropriate spot. The jaws are rather tight so I just loosened off the bolt at the bottom as much as I could. I have developed a way of spreading the jaws with one hand, from the inside of the clam. Bob Thanks. I was thinking the same thing myself; bout chopping the end off it. I will get out in workshop tomorrow, and measure up I am a little disappointed on how hard it is to get work into jaws of clam...ill guess ill work it out in the end thanks again Quote
Members Django57 Posted December 30, 2014 Members Report Posted December 30, 2014 I posted this site i found on another post on a similar topic they look well made would be handy if you spoke French but google could help you to translate , am tempted to get one when i need a new one . http://www.leboncoin.fr/bricolage/229819308.htm?ca=10_s Quote
Members Avgvstvs Posted December 30, 2014 Members Report Posted December 30, 2014 Django57, There's one thing to consider with those french clams: they might be less versatile than the Dixons. I own a Blanchard clam very much like the one you showed (pretty much the same price as the one you posted if I remember correctly). Since its jaw doesn't close by itself and it is asymmetrical, it somehow forces you to use it 'horizontally' (bottom of the jaw against one thigh and other leg over the clam for pressure). The Dixon clams seem to be more versatile - you can use them either horizontally or vertically. Since I realized that I'm beginning to consider to start a clam collection. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.