A square is an invaluable tool to make sure your marks and cuts are really square. But often this is not enough. You have to make sure your workpiece stays square during assembly. To solve this problem I built my own angle clamps. They are actually very easy to make.

Step 1: Cut the Squares

First I'm cutting squares. I'm using 27mm (1") ply wood for this. I made mine 23x23cm, but you can make them any size, depending on your needs. The only really important thing is to make sure they are really square.

Step 2: Holes for the Clamps

We need a way to fasten the angle clamps to the workpiece. Therefore I'm drilling two holes with a 38mm diameter into each clamp. This makes it possible to use ordinary clamps to fasten to the workpiece.

Step 3: Sanding

This if of course optional. But if you plan to use the angle clamps often, sanding off the rough edges makes the handling much more comfortable.

Step 4: Ready to Use

That's it! It took me less than an hour to make this angle clamps. They turned out to be a real time saver. Each angle clamp acts as an extra hand which makes sure things stay square until they are glued up or screwed together.

Sometimes I even use them as part of the final workpiece and fix them with some screws. And of course make some new ones immediately.

1 Person Made This Project!

jthornburgh1 made it!

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20 Comments

jolshefsky

6 years ago on Introduction

One thing that might be cool would be to cut notches by drilling down the hypotenuse with a forstner bit perpendicular to the nearest side. That way the bottom of the hole would be flat. Although your design offers the possibility of anchoring on the hypotenuse ... maybe a 30°-60°-90° version as well as a 45° would be handy. For that matter, you can make a clamp for any angle you can cut.

BeachsideHank

6 years ago on Introduction

These are very handy to have, and oftentimes scrap will suffice. A notch is another variation on the clamping hold:

http://images.meredith.com/wood/images/p_right_ang...

b.steadman

6 years ago on Introduction

Such a simple but effective solution. Thank you.

Going to make to some shortly.

Gartholameau

6 years ago on Introduction

Wonderful idea. I just love simple, brilliant shop tips. This is definitly being added to my workshop.

banman11

6 years ago on Introduction

Great and simple thank you very much.:-)

tony_berumen

6 years ago on Introduction

great idea, thank you. I'm very courious about your table saw. I saw that you pulled the blade under your work piece. Where can I find out more about it?

jreidy1

6 years ago on Introduction

Elegantly simple.

charlessenf-gm

6 years ago on Introduction

Nice.

I don't take my wedding band off either - prefer to keep the wife!

Relieve the 'apex?' Chamfer the pointy bit that fits the inside corner a bit.

I have a MORTIZER ATTACHMENT for the drill press and it would allow me to 'drill' flat-bottom clamp holes w/o trying to drill down a(n) hypotenuse (Whatever that is!)

BIVS2000

6 years ago on Introduction

Great idea Ernst!

But I have to ask you where you live? The reason I ask is that I have never seen a table saw like that.

dontno

6 years ago on Introduction

It never ceases to amaze me how people have a total disregard for basic shop safety standards while operating power tools. 1). Sleeves rolled up. 2). No rings, watches, or jewelry, safety glasses, etc. Please practice safety standards while using power tools. All it takes is once to be a life changer.