Clamps, What is best type

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Tools
1

I am trying to determine what type of clamps I should purchase. I saw some C-clamps from Testors that looked to be good for plastic modeling. But I also read that C-clamps are not great for plastic models. The article I read indicated that plastic clamps like those shown here:

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/exl/exl55664.htm

are best for plastic modeling.

I mostly build airplanes so I would like to use them for the fuselage and wings.

Thanks in advance for any help that can be provided.

2

I find clothes pins work pretty well. Those in the link look good for fuselages.

3

In addition to cloths pins (I saw off the opening mouth to make a sharper point) and the little plastic spring clamps, I am using a new style clamp that is becoming popular and has a VERY fine adjustment. These clamps have a steel bar (the clamps are bar-clamp type) and have a plastic end and a plastic mechanism. There are two levers on the moveable part- a quick release and a trigger that closes the clamp a very small distance for each pull. This allows careful pressure adjustment, and they work fine on plastic models. I have bought several 6 inch Irwin brand when my local hardware store has them on sale. I have also bought some four inch versions from Harbor Freight at a very low price (I think a buck a piece) and they work as nicely as the Irwin ones.

BTW, Model Expo has tiny “modelers” clothespins, about an inch long (I still have to saw off and reshape the ends).

4

Actually, a modeler needs many different kinds of clamps for different purposes. For example, I bought some alligator clips at Radio Shack, glued a 1/8" wooden dowel into the open end (where the wire would normally go) and I use these for holding fiddly bits while airbrushing them and drying them. Just stick the wooden dowel into a block of styrofoam and spray them as they stand there!

5

FWIW, I use C-Clamps of various sizes that I get from home improvement stores. They’re big enough to work on 1/32 aircraft where smaller clamps don’t reach.

6

I agree with Chuck. You need more than just one type of clamp.

I use:

Close pins

Adjustable bar clips (shaped kinda like a handgun)

C-clamps

Spring clamps from Harbor Freight, 2 sizes

Alligator clips

Binder clips- 5 different sizes. These are for heavy duty clamping. I used then to glue the hull halves of the C-57

Spreader clamps? not sure what these are called. Made by Irwin. They are kinda C shaped but are not C clamps

Potato chip bag clamps