Frame making Band Clamp

[FrankEV]

In the thread re: Thinking About a New Miter Saw,  discussion moved off track to making Frame miters. This got me thinking that it might be a good idea to offer this tool for those who make frames  

There is a lot of ways and tools people use for squareing up a frame during glue up.  And, I'm sure many know about, and use, this tool, but for anyone who may not be familiar, the SEDY Band Clamp is, in my opinion, about the best one out there for simple rectangular frame making. 

 

I  have purchased and used more than one kind of band clamps in the past.  The rachet type is great for furniture work and such.  I even had one that came with many different corner pieces that you could make all kinds of shapes up to an octagon.   However, I found all the rachet types were  dificult to use when making frames. 

The SEDY is quick to set up, easy to use, very strong clamping strength, and, assuming the miters are fairly accurate, will make good tight joints.  I do not pin nail or spline my frames and I have never had a Titebond glued frame joint separate.  However, I will use Frame V-nails in soft wood frames to ensure this cannot happen.  

And, just one other trick.  Apply painters tape to the finish side of the frame at  the joints before applying the glue so the glue squeeze out does not get on the surface.  No mater how much sanding is done the surface that gets glue on will never take stain as well as the other wood areas.   

Edited January 19, 2021 by FrankEV

[OCtoolguy]

I've had one of these on my list for a while. Thanks for the review.

[Scrappile]

Do NOT get this one!   Dangerous overkill and I hate it!!

Merle band clamp.

 

[rjweb]

Yes thx for the info, with the coloring it looks like it is made by bessey clamps, RJ 

[NC Scroller]

Different strokes for different folks.  I have the Merle band clamp that Paul does not like and I love it.  Paul if you need to clean up your shop you can send it my way.  

[Scrappile]

46 minutes ago, NC Scroller said:

Different strokes for different folks.  I have the Merle band clamp that Paul does not like and I love it.  Paul if you need to clean up your shop you can send it my way.  

It works good, but the little wind up thing gets away from you and spins at 96.2 mph and hits your hand, it hurts!!!!!~

[ike]

i HAVE ONE THAAT LOOKS JUST LIKE THE SEDY. ITS CALLED PRO-TECK AND IT WORKS GREAT. i THINK IT COST ABOUT $20 PROBABLY MADE BY THE SAME CHINAMAN.

ike

[amazingkevin]

Now here's a tip an trick i don't know about!!!

[WayneMahler]

I have the Bessey one. They are nice but have their own set of quirks. And they do work well.

[OCtoolguy]

Deleted. 

 

 

Edited January 20, 2021 by octoolguy

[John B]

I have three of those Frank and a couple of the spring steel ones. As  @Scrappile says, those wind up handles sure can spin at a rate of knots and they don't do the knuckles much good
The simplest method of clamping, holding a Mitred frame or even a chair or table carcase together is to use a piece of string (Cord) and 8 small blocks of wood.
Tie the string around the frame, it does not have to be tight, Place two pieces of wood in the centre of each side of the frame. then just slide the them out towards the corners. The beauty of this old, tried and true method is you can alter the tension on any piece/ corner you please.

[Foxfold]

I have one too !

[ben2008]

I bought this one about 2 years ago. Don't waste your money. I threw it in the trash.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XDLFP6D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this one about a month ago for $16.00 with tax.. Works great

https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-71101-Deluxe-Clamp-Quick-Release/dp/B0793RHS45

 

 

Edited January 20, 2021 by ben2008

[Bill WIlson]

I have one similar to the Sedy.  Can 't remember the brand, as I misplaced it some time ago and have yet to find it.  

I also have one like this and use it a lot.  Not a band clamp, but it works well for me.  One thing I like is that I can add couplings and lengths of 1/4-20 all thread and make it fit larger sized frames.

[ben2008]

4 minutes ago, Bill WIlson said:

I have one similar to the Sedy.  Can 't remember the brand, as I misplaced it some time ago and have yet to find it.  

I also have one like this and use it a lot.  Not a band clamp, but it works well for me.  One thing I like is that I can add couplings and lengths of 1/4-20 all thread and make it fit larger sized frames.

 I had one of those for years. I used it quite often. It disappeared a few years ago. Pretty sure it was a family member who is responsible? You know, borrow and never see it again. LOL

[OCtoolguy]

9 hours ago, ben2008 said:

 I had one of those for years. I used it quite often. It disappeared a few years ago. Pretty sure it was a family member who is responsible? You know, borrow and never see it again. LOL

That's exactly why I don't loan tools. I have loaned things in the past and take the time to make a note of who borrowed it, when and then have them sign for it. Never lost anything yet. When I was running the tool truck, I had a neighbor ask to borrow a $200 timing light. He got all pissed off when I told him no. Too bad. I never liked him anyhow.

 

[Rockytime]

I borrowed a router years ago from a friend. I had it for nearly five years when he wanted to borrow it back. The nerve of him. I had it longer than he did so it should be mine. I let him borrow his router but I want it back. The nerve of some people. 

[John B]

6 hours ago, Rockytime said:

I borrowed a router years ago from a friend. I had it for nearly five years when he wanted to borrow it back. The nerve of him. I had it longer than he did so it should be mine. I let him borrow his router but I want it back. The nerve of some people. 

One of the reasons I never borrow tools, I learnt my lesson very early on. I borrowed a sander from mate, when tools still cost a lot of money. This sander was pretty old and had seen a lot of work and it decided to give up the ghost while I had it. I bought a replacement sander, same brand, just a millennium newer, finished the job and gave it to my  mate, along with the cactus one.
I was out about $45 in mid 1970, still had jack sh$t and my mate had a new sander.
From that point on I persevered with what I had or until I could afford to purchase what I needed.
The opposite is also true, do NOT,under any circumstances ask to borrow a tool from me, because the answer will be NO.

[Heli_av8tor]

Many of my first power tools were really junk when I got them and they certainly were after I used them to death.

I keep them for loaners and never loan my good ones.

Even then I have a sign-out sheet by the shop door and everything gets logged out and in. I started this after one too many times that I wasted an hour or two looking for a tool only to call my son in desperation and hear him say "Oh ya, I think I've got that". The list isn't needed much now that he moved out of state. 

[FrankEV]

On 1/20/2021 at 9:17 AM, Bill WIlson said:

I have one similar to the Sedy.  Can 't remember the brand, as I misplaced it some time ago and have yet to find it.  

I also have one like this and use it a lot.  Not a band clamp, but it works well for me.  One thing I like is that I can add couplings and lengths of 1/4-20 all thread and make it fit larger sized frames.

I've use this kind a while ago.  Yes they do work, but the tension exerted my not be uniform, take a lot of time to set up/break down, needs a wrench to adjust the tension , and are a SPITA to store.  The SEDY or the other identical brands like the Power Tec are so easy to use, set up and break down is very quick, uniform tension all around with just a simple twist of the wrist, and it stores in the draw nicely.   Like I said, it is IMHO the best tool out there to square up a SIMPLE frame during glue up.

[Rockytime]

I've posted this before. These are just cheap strap clamps from HF. The only way they will work is to put a 1/2" block under each corner so the frame is centered on the clamp. Without the blocks the corner clamps will tilt forward and jump off the frame. Certainly not ideal but it works for me.

[FrankEV]

13 hours ago, Rockytime said:

I've posted this before. These are just cheap strap clamps from HF. The only way they will work is to put a 1/2" block under each corner so the frame is centered on the clamp. Without the blocks the corner clamps will tilt forward and jump off the frame. Certainly not ideal but it works for me.

I have a similar rachet type like yours, but the corners are metal and do not stand the strap off the frame so the rachet is very difficult to use and can bugger up the wood frame.  That is why I looked for another solution and found the SEDY.   I also found this kind a SPITA to set up quickly befor the glue dries.

[Rockytime]

7 hours ago, FrankEV said:

I have a similar rachet type like yours, but the corners are metal and do not stand the strap off the frame so the rachet is very difficult to use and can bugger up the wood frame.  That is why I looked for another solution and found the SEDY.   I also found this kind a SPITA to set up quickly befor the glue dries.

Setting up before the glue dries up is always a problem for me too. 

[flarud]

6 hours ago, Rockytime said:

Setting up before the glue dries up is always a problem for me too. 

Glue?!  That's why my frames always fall apart!  LOL  

[Modern Art Studios]

Fewer things more frustrating than making a perfect picture frame. Without proper clamping it's a nightmare. I did a quick search and see you can buy a mitre clamp at a fairly reasonable price. The pic I posted is almost identical to what I have used for 55 years. I have made a few thousand frames with it. Even with the mitre clamp, your miters need to be dead on!