This weird clamp could save your next glueup

This is a video starring… YOU! A few months ago, I showed you how to use strut channel cauls to make glue ups easier and less expensive. Many of you offered great suggestions for improvements — and I’m presenting YOUR ideas in this epic video sequel!

As before, you can make these using readily available hardware, in less than half an hour!

* Glue and chemical resistant
* Super flat and rigid
* Quickly adaptable to any size work
* Quick and easy to set up, use, and store
* And best of all… CHEAP! 🤑

Parts and accessories: *

Good sources for strut channel and accessories:

Chapters:
00:00 I tested out your ideas
01:04 What do we call this thing?
01:52 It comes in different sizes
02:24 There’s lots of specialized hardware
03:51 A no-hardware solution
07:02 Which way is up?
08:11 What about flexing?
09:19 Skip the wax
10:14 Applying two-way clamping force

#woodworking #woodpeckers #rockler #cauls #glueup #clamps #panels #table #tabletop #cuttingboard #furniture #diy #superstrut #unistrut #kindorf #adamax #strutchannel #camclamp #glue #tools #woodcraft

* Some of the links included above are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on items you purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you.

[matthewrisley]

This is one of the most underrated woodworking channels on YouTube. Everything you put out is incredible! Keep it up!

[NeilSoulo]

I've only been watching your channel for a short time, but your wise, no BS approach is a winner with me. With your sense of humor and common sense, it is one of the best channels I have come across, and I've been watching YouTube for many years.

[kenk.]

I recently fractured my pelvis, which has seriously limited my ability to work while I recover. That said, I came across your clamp video and just had to let you know—it was ingenious. Funds are tight right now, so instead of buying materials, I rummaged through my garage and found some old nuts and bolts from a decade ago, along with oak spindles I milled nearly 20 years back (1.5” x 1.5” x 42”). They’ve just been collecting dust… until now.

Thanks to your video, I was able to build 8 modified call clamps suited for wood—and they turned out beautifully. Just wanted to say how much I appreciate your content. You made something really useful and accessible, and it meant a lot to me during a tough time. Now I can build the cabinets for my wife.

[cbrow]

I've used this for the last 30 + years for plumbing drains, water lines, and gas lines, unit heaters etc. and now I have another use for it, thanks.

[HeinzHarald]

underrated channel.
smart guy who also gets me smiling.

[bobweiram]

The strut channels attached to casters and angle brackets are also great for making dollies and mobile bases.

[kasiehill]

I just love your channel so much! I’m not trying to be Bob Villa and I’m not made of money. I love your cost effect approach and solutions. So glad I found you!

[simonashley]

Brilliant video, very informative and very well presented.

[chrisdavis]

This is such a good video. Just re-watched it again.

[christinahaddrell]

This idea is awesome.
Thank you for this.

[ProudDadVet]

Genius.... I am kicking myself as I am an Electrician of nearly 30 yrs and was thinking of ways to caul my cutting boards and BAM... you solved my problem with something I have used almost everyday and have in my garage. Now, a you can easily modify the slots in the strut for a clamp instead of using bolts. Cut your strut to desired length, get a Bandsaw/sawall/hacksaw and at one end, cut inside the channel down to the first slot, do this on each side to create a LONGER slot that now clamps will just slide into. No bolts needed. I also created a Router jig made of 3/4" EMT for $30 that rivals any $500 to $900 Rockler/Woodpecker jig. Well, ok, not really rival but... it works great

[DrGkill]

So great ! I was waiting for a solution like this for a long time. I've never been able to bring myself to buy pipe clamps or very long clamps because of their price and bulk. Now you gave me THE solution :) Thanks m8.

[martinmelhus]

Just discovered this site. As an experimental physicist who needs all kinds of not only custom parts, but custom solutions, this site is full of cool ideas that work.

[sparky]

Brilliant!! I like your way of thinking.

[giovannimartinotti]

Ti ho appena scoperto e non vedo l'ora di vedere tutti i tuoi video. Hai delle idee stupende che metterò in pratica molto presto. GRAZIE

[colemine]

This was excellent. I love watching your videos progress in quality. The original idea was great but all your improvements brings it up to just genius. I will add to my list of things to make. Thanks for your work on this video.

[michaelmcnally]

You are a mad scientist! I love your clamps so much I gave away my Rockler board clamps. The Rockler solution didn't work that well and I always found it to be a PIA to set up. I was toying with the side clamp idea and came up with a different solution but I like yours better. In the end I think I will just stick with the pipe clamps because I have so many of them. Also, I bent the in the bar in middle a so I had about 10mm deflection in the center across a 1m bar. I did this with a few c clamps and a 2x6. I tried the cross bar approach that you showed at first. The bend is fine.

[mattweaver]

Absolutely awesome! Love this Channel!

[GreggArchambault]

Great content. I enjoy your ingenuity and realize the time it takes to make that content. I've made shelves with uni strut and threaded rod from the garage ceiling and a two by four on the wall. That stuff is STRONG.

[egbluesuede]

I keep watching this video because it has so many neat ideas. For horizontal clamping, IMO the wedge/shims seem the best option for ease of use, cost, and coverage. Probably over thinking it, but with the modified C clamp and only 2 cauls, it seems like I wouldn't get even horizontal pressure especially in the middle or ends. Consider 45 degree angles out from the point of horizontal clamping, and you should get some overlap if you want to avoid gaps in your seams, especially if the pieces you are edge gluing have a bit of bend to them. Minor niggle, but something I think the wedges address better.