My hull clamps

[Thanasis]

Hi all.
Hull clamps is always a complex subject, mostly depending on the method that each one is use to work on planking.
For those who as me, need strong effective and cheap clamps, here is my suggestion.

You will need some paper clips preferable medium size, a good tin cutter, some steel nails and some pins those for Notice Boards.
First cut the paper clips in half and then each part vertical to folded edges and so as to have three parts. Keep those with the full fold at the edges.



On each of this part with a steel nail and hammer open one a small hole whish can make it wider later with a drill. I don't know why but I couldn’t manage to open those holes with my rotary tool. Maybe because of the hard of the clamp but this is what make it effective as clamp. That stiffness of the blade.

So now you can insert the pins in to the holes and you have your hull clamps.
You can open two holes wanting to have options of distance.



You can use them as any other similar product or idea .



Thx

 

[TexBilly]

This is a slick idea, thanks for sharing. I'm curious if you've experienced the push pins splitting the wood? For this reason I have been using smaller diameter "map pins" to secure planks - either tightly on the sides of the planks or at an angle to hold them down. Adding your clips would make them even more effective. Thanks again.

 

[Short John Bronze]

Great idea! I use push pins adjacent to the bottom edge of the current plank but your option applies pressure to the seam edge too. I shall try that on some upcoming planking work

 

[Thanasis]

Thank you all.
Bill I really don't remember whether was the split of the wood (bulkhead), that led me opening a small hole with my rotary tool, before I place* the pins.
But that's what I do, for as long I use these clamps.

*I don't puss the pins, I nail them with a small hammer.
Thx

 

[TexBilly]

Thank you all.
Bill I really don't remember whether was the split of the wood (bulkhead), that led me opening a small hole with my rotary tool, before I place* the pins.
But that's what I do, for as long I use these clamps.

*I don't puss the pins, I nail them with a small hammer.
Thx

Makes perfect sense! Yes, I found *pushing in the pins sometimes split the bulkhead which led to my use of map pins, which haven’t spilt the BHs so far. I suppose it may not be as much an issue for larger scales but your pre-drilling is a good practice.The other advantage of the push pins is its wide base, for wider contact with your metal plates.