Deep Throat Clamps

After searching online for some long reach clamps I decided to make some myself. Either they were  too expensive or I did not know the quality I was getting. 

Also making them myself let me make them the size I needed. It is so simple to screw in the pipes to the elbows.  There are many size threaded rod available so check with your hardware store.

How to Make

I went to Home Depot and bought some galvanized pipe and threaded rod.  2- 18", 1- 4 1/2", 2 elbows and 1 piece of 1/2" threaded rod. The cost was around $16.00. 

This clamp has a throat reach of 18" and a height of 4". Later I purchased a 12" pipe and now the height can reach 11".



                    

To start I drilled one of the ends of the pipe using a 1/2" drill bit. 

                          

                            

 With no force, glue or grinding I was lucky and the nut for the threaded rod  just so happened to fit perfectly inside the pipe. The nut does not have to be secured at all since the threaded rod will line it. 

 All the pieces are screwed together hand tight to see how everything fits. Just screw the pipes in the elbows.... so simple. 

Testing the strength

 At this time I thought I would do some tests for strength.

                       

I used some clamps and blocks of wood to set up the clamp. To test it I will sit on it. I weigh 200 lbs and I am sure it will hold up. 

                      

                                

The bars held up and there was some flex. I know it could have withstood more but for my uses it will be all I need.

The Handle

I found a piece of scrap hardwood and cut it to 7 inches I then drilled the center using a bit slightly smaller than a 1/2 inch. This will be for the threaded rod and will turn tight in the handle. A little bit of epoxy will also be applied making this a strong handle.

                                                          

The handle was shaped using a belt sander .

I drilled the handle right through for the end of the threaded rod.

                         

A slot was cut in one end of the threaded rod. This will be for a slotted screwdriver bit to turn the handle quickly.

                          


The threaded rod was put in the handle with the slotted side keeping flush on the end and epoxied together.

Making The Pad

A swivel pad is made using plywood. First was drilled then cut on the bandsaw.   See more details on the video.

A washer is placed in the cup, this will help for friction and also prevent wear on the wood.

The washer and cup are epoxied and clamped together.

Another wood pad is glued onto the wood block. This pad can be easily trimmed off and replaced with a new pad.

I purchased another pipe, this one was 12 inches. With so many different sizes available you can pick whichever size suits your needs. 

The long reach clamp works great on the table saw.

I changed the height of the clamp using the longer threaded rod and was now able to use it on my workbench.

Conclusion

This clamp was easy to make and very inexpensive. You can also change the length and width of the clamp buy buying different size pipes. The deep throat or long reach clamps come in handy in the shop and are ideal for hard to reach areas. 

Making the clamps is easy enough even if you all you have is a drill and some basic woodworking skills.

See also

          

Wooden Clamp                                        Large Clamp