Toolmakers Clamp

This is a typical Toolmakers Clamp. I made this using the printed parts plus 2x 8mm threads and a 3mm screw (6mm long) to hold the retaining plate. The 8mm threads I used came from cutting the heads off of bolts 85mm long, but two pieces of threaded rod would work too.

I ran an 8mm tap through the threads on clamp1.stl after printing to ensure good clearance. I also ran the tap into the knurled nuts, but in hind sight I should have warmed them up before winding the rods in. I fixed the nuts to the thread with a few drops of CA glue.

The Toolmakers Clamp is a really effective clamp - tighten or loosen the clamp by turning it like a crank, then tighten around the parts with the thread in the middle. Finally, tighten the thread at the end for extra leverage and a very tight grip.

Print parts with a lot of infill, up to 100%, to avoid any flex in the clamping parts. I printed in black and silver silk PLA

Printed in PLA, this clamp is a good hobby clamp, but made out of metal this design is excellent, and a project many machining apprentices will undertake to add a valuable tool to their toolkit.