# DIY small clamps **URL:** \ **Category:** Builder's Forum\ **Created:** [November 16, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573 "2013-11-16T03:38:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lawrence\_Watson1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@Lawrence\_Watson1](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Lawrence_Watson1)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/1 "2013-11-16T03:38:24Z")
I recall having seen a tip here on how to make small-ish clamps out of pvc pipe. Can anyone direct me to that particular post, please?   It was quite some time ago...   L of S ---
**Author:** ![Laszlo\_Morocz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Laszlo\_Morocz](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Laszlo_Morocz)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 7:14am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/2 "2013-11-16T07:14:25Z")
This isn't the CLC post, but here's a link to a video that describes what you need: [DIY PVC Pipe Spring Clamps](http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23183/how-to-make-a-woodworking-spring-clamp-out-of-pvc-drainpipe) Have fun, Laszlo     ---
**Author:** ![Lawrence\_Watson1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@Lawrence\_Watson1](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Lawrence_Watson1)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 8:29am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/3 "2013-11-16T08:29:48Z")
Thanks for the immediate reply, Laszlo.   That was pretty much what I recalled. This is going to save me quite a few dollars...! I'm gradually edging closer to committing to the SW17 hybrid build next Autumn and am going out next week to look at some 18 x 9 mm bead-and-cove strips I've located at a cedar timber specialist more-or-less locally. L of S ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Mcquilken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Sean\_Mcquilken](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Sean_Mcquilken)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 3:01pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/4 "2013-11-17T15:01:42Z")
I just made a stack of these. I used a jigsaw to cut a slit in a 5' length of pipe then used my table saw (I don't yet own a chop saw) to cut it into rings. Mine are 1.5" wide (I saved 5' of pipe in case I end up deciding I want to make some wider ones.  ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Devenis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e79b87/32.png) [@Michael\_Devenis](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Michael_Devenis)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/5 "2013-11-17T17:00:02Z")
  We're there any issues with using the table saw? I don't have a chop saw either! ---
**Author:** ![Henry\_Wing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bbce88/32.png) [@Henry\_Wing](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Henry_Wing)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 12:07am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/6 "2013-11-18T00:07:35Z")
I haven't tried cutting pvc pipe on a table saw any larger than 1.5 inches.  I have cut up to 5 inch pipe on a chop saw and I know from experience you have to secure the pipe well before you bring the blade down or the pipe will spin and mess up the cut and could be dangerous.  At least with the chop saw the pipe is laying against two surfaces, horizontal and vertical.  I would think using a table saw would be a bit more dangerous in that you have to keep the pipe from spinning and also slide it across the table past the blade.  When cutting with the chop saw I always had my girlfriend hold the piece of pipe to keep it from spinning while I made sure it was flat on the table and against the fence. ---
**Author:** ![George\_Kaiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@George\_Kaiser](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/George_Kaiser)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 10:26am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/7 "2013-11-18T10:26:14Z")
Here is the CLC article for [Cheap Clamps](http://www.clcboats.com/shoptips/stitch_glue/cheap_clamps.html). Cutting PVC pipe could be done with with a pipe cutter, hand saw, or using a circular saw and a miter gauage. You cut the PVC pipe like a very large dowl. Biring with the pipa against the miter guage bring the pip up to the blase and then rotate the pipe as one very slowly pushes the pipe through the blade. One couuld probably even use a scrol saw. [How to Cut PVC Pipe](http://www.wikihow.com/Cut-PVC-Pipe) ---
**Author:** ![Patrick\_North](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@Patrick\_North](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Patrick_North)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 12:32pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/8 "2013-11-18T12:32:28Z")
Consider this an opportunity for a tool purchase. I use a cut-off saw for cutting PVC (among other materials) and the results are terrific. After just one bathroom remodel I was very glad I'd bought the saw and now use it regularly for odd jobs. If you'd rather not buy a dedicated saw you can find similar blades for use in a circular saw- I imagine you'd get better results than with a blade meant for wood. The though of cutting suitable-diameter pipe on a table saw gives me the heeby-jeebies, though- be careful! Good luck, Patrick ---
**Author:** ![Laszlo\_Morocz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Laszlo\_Morocz](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Laszlo_Morocz)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 1:01pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/9 "2013-11-18T13:01:39Z")
Safest option - hand saw (manually powered). Cheap, good exercise and will not cause anywhere near as much damage as a power saw.   ---
**Author:** ![George\_Kaiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@George\_Kaiser](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/George_Kaiser)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 1:48pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/10 "2013-11-18T13:48:34Z")
I forgot to mention a band saw and Dremal tool. PVC is a soft plastic and almost any blade can cut it. ---
**Author:** ![Lawrence\_Watson1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@Lawrence\_Watson1](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Lawrence_Watson1)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/11 "2013-11-18T15:19:22Z")
Thanks, guys - all very useful.   3" diameter pipe, sections ~1.5" width - easy!   Since - aesthetics aside - I guess it does not matter at how (moderately) uneven and 'ragged' the edges of the cut pipe might be, I'll take the hacksaw approach with the pipe held in my work-table jaws.   L of S ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Mcquilken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Sean\_Mcquilken](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Sean_Mcquilken)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 6:49pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/12 "2013-11-18T18:49:10Z")
Cutting 3" pipe with a table saw isn't that bad, I would never do it if I needed a perfect cut. I did it outside wearing full safety equipment. A 10' length was too hard to control so I cut it into 5' sections with a hand saw , even 5' can be a bit hard to control, if I had to do it again i'd do 2.5' lengths. Once I got down to a piece that was 8" or so in length I used a hand saw to finish it.  ---
**Author:** ![Noah\_Rogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Noah\_Rogers](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Noah_Rogers)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2016, 4:45am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/13 "2016-08-04T04:45:42Z")
These clamps are great.  You have to be pretty careful when cutting along the long edge of PVC pipe.  I've read that you should never push PVC pipe into a blade ([https://formufit.com/pages/how-to-cut-pvc-pipe](https://formufit.com/pages/how-to-cut-pvc-pipe)), rather you should push the blade into the PVC pipe, so a circular saw, or as I like to use, as sawzall, is the preferred method. I just get a little nervous pushing a curvy thing through a table saw.   Especiallly if the pipe is older and is already breaking down due to UV exposure.       ---
**Author:** ![Jason\_Smith2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/db5fbb/32.png) [@Jason\_Smith2](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Jason_Smith2)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2016, 7:54am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/14 "2016-08-04T07:54:38Z")
If you don’t have a chop saw just use a hacksaw and save your money (and possibly fingers). PVC pipe isn’t that hard to cut, though you may have to take some breaks cutting out a lot of pieces like this. I’ve even cut PVC pipe with a piece of string in a pinch way back when I used to work as a plumbers assistant. [https://youtu.be/Dp8PSWHpSD8](https://youtu.be/Dp8PSWHpSD8) Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Hooper\_Williams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hooper\_Williams](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Hooper_Williams)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2016, 7:59am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/15 "2016-08-04T07:59:52Z")
I sawed these with a reciprocating saw.  Seemed pretty straightforward...    ![](https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3847/14427872088_c6373bddf5_b.jpg)Hooper Williams - Brevard, NC ---
**Author:** ![Lou\_Volpe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@Lou\_Volpe](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Lou_Volpe)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2016, 8:36am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/diy-small-clamps/41573/16 "2016-08-04T08:36:41Z")
   One question I don't think i saw answered is how wide should  PVC be for clamping the outwales and inwales with spacers?  I assume the wider the PVC the more pressure it applies.  Also for those who have already done it, would a 4" be sufficient to span all the surfaces or should i go to the 5"?