DIY Edge Clamps: Turn Spring Clamps into Edging Clamps
Gluing hardwood edging to plywood shelves and panels is a common woodworking task, but holding the edging tightly against the plywood while the glue dries can be tricky. Painter's tape or a few pin nails will often do the job, but sometimes you need a little extra clamping pressure.
Here's a clever solution that turns ordinary spring clamps into inexpensive edge clamps using strips cut from an old bicycle inner tube.
Make Edge Clamps from Spring Clamps
This simple woodworking trick comes from Woodsmith reader Dennis Volz of Denver, Colorado. Instead of buying specialized edge clamps, Dennis uses spring clamps and rubber strips from an old bicycle inner tube.
Start by cutting the inner tube into strips approximately 5" long. Then slip both ends of a rubber strip over the jaws of a spring clamp.
The stretched rubber creates a flexible band that can apply pressure directly against the hardwood edging.
How to Clamp Hardwood Edging to Plywood
After applying glue and positioning the hardwood edging, attach the modified spring clamp to the plywood panel so the rubber band stretches over the edging.
As the spring clamp grips the panel, the tension in the rubber pulls the hardwood edging tightly against the plywood edge.
Add more clamps along the workpiece as needed to maintain even pressure while the glue dries.
The spring clamps hold everything in place, while the rubber bands provide the additional pressure needed to keep the edging seated against the panel.
A Simple, Inexpensive Woodworking Clamp Trick
The beauty of this shop tip is that it uses materials you may already have on hand. There's no complicated jig to build, and the spring clamps can still be used for other tasks.
Woodsmith Tip: Make a dry run before applying glue to determine the best clamp spacing and rubber tension. Position each rubber band so it presses directly against the edging without shifting it out of alignment.
Whether you're adding hardwood edging to plywood shelves, cabinet parts, or other projects, these DIY edge clamps are a handy addition to your woodworking clamp collection.
Shop tip submitted by Dennis Volz, Denver, Colorado.
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Looking for more ways to make glue-ups easier and more accurate? From clever clamping tricks and shop-made accessories to techniques for keeping parts aligned and joints tight, we've gathered some of our favorite woodworking tips to help you tackle tricky assemblies. Discover practical solutions that save time, reduce frustration, and help you get better results on your next project.
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