Thread: Need help with bench top and clamps

I'm building a general use fabrication/welding bench.
Attachment 368870
The top consists of 6 X 250PFC, these aren't fixed in place yet. I can't think my way through to what type of clamping system to use so I'm not sure what spacings too make the PFC. There's 1800mm overall to work within which leaves an absolute max spacing of 60mm.
This bench will not have a single use so I'm looking at options.
Do I just use standard G clamps or make ones to run in the slots?
Brains trust, what would you do?

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What is the 6 X 250 PFC, it's a term I've not come across before? I found that no matter where the positions are suitable for a clamp, it won't be suitable to clamp the project on the bench.
Kryn

Any ideas on how to get the photo showing? It was there in preview before I posted.

@KB, 250mm Parallel Flange Chanenel. With the pic it will be self explanatory, I hope. Or once I know how can post more pics.

Not sure what's going on with the pic? When I press "edit post" the pic is there, maybe doesn't like my haircut?

Six lengths of Parallel Flange Channel with a spacing of 60mm between each to make a bench top is what he has.

Does this help you?


DIY bench from channel.jpg

Yeh Grahame, that's the line of thinking I'm on. What spacing between the PFC to make clamps like that?

Originally Posted by snapman007

What spacing between the PFC to make clamps like that?

Scaling from the pic, the gap is around 23% of the channel width, so if 250 high channel, the gap would be 60mm.

Michael

I found that no matter where the positions are suitable for a clamp, it won't be suitable to clamp the project on the bench.

Thats helpful. So where ever you are going to put them, don't! At least you can say later on that I told you so!!

I like the idea of having clamps running in the slots and you can also have milling type toe clamps made up for extra versatility. Years ago I made some clamps from 2 bits of 25mm x 6mm welded flat sides together, but with a 13mm gap between them. You could have even bigger ones which can be quite long. This should give you the ability of clamping almost anywhere and upset Kryns plan.

Dean

Thanks everyone for helping clear PFC up. In 40 years never heard of it?
At least no ones going to steel it, not with out a fork lift or crane.
I like the idea of the gaps between the channels, allows plenty of scope for clamping.
Kryn

Pic - Take 3.

Originally Posted by snapman007

Do I just use standard G clamps or make ones to run in the slots?
Brains trust, what would you do?

To answer this part of the question I would select F head sliding clamps over the G Clamp option.

Reason is that F heads are quicker and easier to use . There is a limited clamping force that could be applied unless the clamps were specially fabricated as opposed to off the rack clamps which will still need modification.

While F heads are probably the best option to make quickly there are others. Consider a selection from below that came from google pictures. The bases ,in some examples do require modification. It really dependent on the applications you have you have.

Fab clamp 1.jpgFab clamp 2.jpgFab clamp 3.jpgFab clamp 4.jpgFab clamp 5.jpgFab clamp 6.jpg

To help me with Google, does the clamp in Grahames pic have a specific name?

Google Bench Clamp and / or Surface Clamp to start the search.