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In case you’ve been doing any form of work round any form of home for some time, you most likely have a couple of trusty old-school C-Clamps readily available. The C-Clamp has been in use for hundreds of years. It’s a type of dead-simple instruments that simply works. It’s additionally a type of instruments you have a tendency to gather a number of examples of, in numerous sizes.
Sometimes, you utilize a C-Clamp to, uh, clamp stuff collectively, like two items of wooden, or to clamp one thing into place when you work on it (I exploit them loads to chop lumber so I can have each arms on the noticed, as I’m allergic to emergency rooms.) However the C-Clamp is definitely a really versatile instrument that may be deployed in quite a few artistic—however helpful!—methods. Listed here are a few of my favourite methods to repurpose these outdated C-Clamps.
A carrying deal with
If it’s good to carry one thing that’s cumbersome, heavy, and awkward, having some short-term handles at all times makes the job simpler. When you’ve got a couple of C-Clamps, you’re golden: Simply clamp a pair onto no matter you’re transporting and you’ve got immediate handles to make the haul somewhat simpler. They may also be used as handles for rolled-up supplies, like rugs or mats—simply thread the roll by way of a pair of C-Clamps, tighten them closed, and keep it up.
A quiet hammer
It’s occurred to all of us: You want to drive a nail someplace, however there’s no room to swing a hammer, or for some cause you’re reluctant to make a whole lot of banging noise. The answer is your trusty C-Clamp: Simply place the clamp over the nail head and tighten. The clamping motion will inexorably (and silently) drive that nail into place. This isn’t an environment friendly technique to drive a whole lot of nails, after all, however in a good spot, it’s sensible.
An emergency wrench
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Have to tighten or loosen a connector, however you don’t have a wrench at hand? Tighten a C-Lamp across the bolt, cuff, or connection level in order that it’s gripping tightly, then slowly flip it within the course you want. Be certain the clamp is tight sufficient to forestall slippage, and also you would possibly wish to use one thing (a useful piece of fabric works) to guard the connection from harm as you’re employed.
A wire organizer
Whether or not it’s corralling all these extension and energy cords on a workbench or work web site, or organizing laptop cables in your desk with an industrial vibe, C-Clamps can hold all these wires below management and out of your manner in a pinch. Simply collect the cords on the fringe of the desk or desk and clamp them down. This can be a good short-term resolution, because the cords can move freely by way of the clamps with out danger of harm, and the clamps could be eliminated when the job is finished.
What do you assume up to now?
Bookends
Want a few bookends to carry stuff in place on a shelf? A pair of C-Clamps hooked up to the periphery and clamped in as deep as attainable will work. This might even be a everlasting design alternative in case your style runs towards the country or industrial.
Anchors
C-Clamps are supreme units when anchor factors are wanted, however you don’t wish to connect something everlasting that will require fasteners and drilling right into a construction. Want a clothesline to dry your laundry when the dryer breaks? Two C-Clamps and a few rope or twine are all you want. Want to hold instruments, garments, or the rest? C-Clamps hooked up to a shelf of any sort, mixed with a hook, will work a attraction. Want to carry a tablecloth or different overlaying in place? Nothing clamps stuff all the way down to a horizontal floor higher than C-Clamps.
Spool holder
Whether or not you’re spooling filament to your 3D-printer or feeding twine or wire to your self as you’re employed on a challenge, sliding the spool over a C-Clamp after which clamping it into place offers you a sturdy holder that you could pull from. This implies you received’t need to juggle your spool each time you want extra slack, and you may simply unclamp and reposition the spool in the event you’re on the transfer as you’re employed.
