Dear friends,
Just to share some ideas on making a small, pushable workbench, using a cabinet, where planes and other things can be stored. It is practical for small spaces, or as a second bench.
The cabinet is made of 3/4″ pine p.w. with oak-frame feet. The top is a discarded 2″+ thich kitchen counter piece.
A key feature is the use of the “Horse-Power Clamp” which does a good job for holding boards for planing, and other things.
Two 3/8″ through-holes on the bench allow a pegged strip of 1/4″ p.w. to be used as a planing stop. The pegs are glued onto one of the strips. At 1/4″, thinner board can be planned. For thicker boards, wafer strips with holes only are sandwiched, increasing the thickness. The stop easily lifts out.
Here’s the pictures:
Replies
Excellent, just what I need in my small shop. Would you know where to get that clamp?
Dear Proy1New,
Bought this clamp locally at a store called Home Base, at least 3 years ago. But that store is closed here.
The brand is "American Tool Companies" and the (C)trade-name is "HorsePower Clamp". It cost about US$30.00. It comes with two tempered steel brackets. Mounted it on a 3/4" thick oak strip using (4)- 1" sheet-rock screws on piloted holes, per bracket. One supplies the pipe, length to suit one's needs.
Just did a google search to help but found out that American Tool Companies is now IRWIN and don't seem to list it. Found one sale-site in the UK, but not much more. It might require e-mail the known woodworking tool suppliers.
Hope it is not discontinued because it is an outstanding item. By the way, it is not limitted to small benches. Can be used in a large bench and its holding power is tremendous. It is very fast to use since there's no need to turn levers like in a vise. It has a large, well designed cammed lever. One advantage over a vise is that it swivels by rotating in the pipe, thus changing the grip-height location. It releases from the tempered brackets in a few seconds and can be used as a common clamp too. But it is meant for use in a bench with those brackets.
It grabs wood very well. Have not had it slip even on the toughest planning. The jaws do not mark the wood.
If anyone can help point to a current source, it'd be helpful.
Good luck.
-mbl-
Thanks for the info, would have been nice but will have to find other way to do the same. Like you my jointer and planer are good old planes, takes a bit longer but easy to clean up and no dust.
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