Happy Tuesday!
While we haven’t posted about it recently, Ken has been incredibly busy putting our ABS plastic to good use. In the event that you missed some of his videos, we strongly encourage you to watch some of his latest videos including a two-part series on making a portable ABS checker board that would make a perfect gift for those board game addicts in your life!
Recent Episodes:
January 1st --> Making a Checker Board Part 1
January 4th --> Making a Checker Board Part 2
January 8th --> Making an ABS Rose
January 11th --> Wooden Jig Knobs
We highly recommend you watch the Jan 11th video about wooden jig knobs as the resultant knobs can be used on the ABS frame clamp you will see in today’s video!
What is a Frame Clamp?
A frame clamp is used to simultaneously clamp 4 corners of a frame ensuring squareness. Frame clamps are generally fully adjustable – meaning you tighten or loosen each individual corner as needed. As the name might suggest, a perfect application for frame clamps is for making custom picture frames. Just stick your frame within the perimeter of the clamp, glue and squeeze the clamp using some jig knobs, then release the clamps when the glue has set. This takes one of the most frustrating parts of making a frame (ensuring adequate force) and turns it into something you can just set and leave.
Making Your Frame Clamp
For this project you will need:
· ABS Block (any color – 2” thick) --> Buy Here!
· Table Saw · Drill Press (with 13/64” and 9/32” bits)
· 24” lengths of 1/4-20" threaded steel rod (x4)
· CA Glue
· A few other general items incl. square, pen, pencil, paper, tape measure, etc.
· Patience!
Steps
Start by marking out the corner of your ABS block. Ensure you use a square for this step as accuracy is vital to make a perfectly square frame clamp.
* Before the next step, ensure your table saw blade is sitting 90° angle from your table *
Using your table saw, notch out the block that you previously marked out.
* Before the next step, ensure your table saw blade is sitting 45° angle from your table *
Using your table saw, notch out the corner of the area cut in the previous step.
* Before the next step, ensure your table saw blade is sitting 90° angle from your table *
Cut out the block section as marked in the first step. This will leave you with an L shaped piece of plastic that will be cut into 1-1/8” sections. These sections will be the corners of your frame clamp.
Next, mark out the center on one leg of each piece. Use a punch to create a pilot hole, followed by a drill press to drill a 13/64” hole. Once drilled, tap the holes using a 1/4-20 (or #7) thread Do this to all 4 pieces.
On the opposite leg, mark out the center, punch a pilot hole, and drill a 9/32” thru-hole. Do this for all 4 pieces.
Take your threaded rod and ensure it threads comfortably into the previously threaded hole. Once fit is confirmed, drop some glue into the threaded hole and re-seat the threaded rod so it will now be secure.
At this point, if you made some wooden jig knobs as was shown in Ken’s previous video, or happen to have some on hand, thread these onto the rod and use them to tighten as required.
Congrats - you’ve successfully made an ABS Frame Clamp!
If you or someone you know has went ahead and made one of these frame clamps, we would love to hear from you!
Please contact us.
Upcoming Plasti-Block™ Themed Episodes
January 22nd --> ABS Spoon Rest
Background
The ‘Alternative Tuesday’ segment is a twist and exciting addition to the Acutabove Woodworking channel that was previously dedicated to woodworking. We are excited - along with Ken - to show the benefits of working with plastics.
Plasti-Block™ materials offer rich and vibrant colors that will not chip or fade quickly, are resistant to water and many chemicals, and enable you to build projects that are not very practical with wood or other materials.
Kennyearrings1 has many creative and inspiring ideas and will show you how to make a variety of your own personalized items such as kitchenware, keepsakes, and many more.