home-made small clamps

[BradNSW]

Recently ordered some M1.6 screws to make some small clamps for planking my La Salamandre 1:48 scratch build. The frame spacing is quite tight, so I needed some very small screws. Found these on Amazon:
M1.6 Screws on Amazon

Using a small dowel, I made handles for the screw to allow tightening w/o a tiny hex. A tiny drop of CA ensured they don't loosen.


Then drilled a small hole in scrap planking and added the corresponding 1.6 washer and nut:


Tried it out on the model and it is easy to tighten and fits nicely between the frames:


Hope the link and photos are helpful to someone trying to make small planking clamps.

 

[Kurt Konrath]

Grand idea, and low cost to boot.

Design can be adjusted to fix most any model and frame spacing.

 

[Y.T.]

You guys will make wood ship model shops bankrupt.

 

[johnv]

Here is another version of low cost home made planking clamps.
I am currently about 70% into first layer planking of HMS Bellerophon using Amati/Vanguard Models 1:72 plans.
The Amati instructions specify 1.5x7mm first layer planks but in my wisdom I decided to use 1.5x5mm planks. Home cut and thicknessed Huon pine strips because it is very flexible and tight grained.
photo1 is at about 50% first planking.
photo2 is one of the 3D printed clamps. I printed about 40 of them so I could attach one port and one starboard plank on 17 bulkheads each side. Plus a few spares.
The hex socket cap screw is 2mm x 12mm and does require predrilling with a 1.5mm drill bit. I have tried self tapping wood screws but prefer the cap screws because the socket heads stand up much better to repeated use.
The 4th file is the cheap AliExpress drill which I use. It is a mains supply unit and has plenty of grunt for drilling the 1.5mm x 12+mm deep holes for the hex socket head screws to self tap into.