Official Luthiers Forum! :: View topic - What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?

I have used binder clips in the past without anything getting any discoloration on the linings. I used the medium sized binder clips, which seemed to be a better fit for my needs.

They are also very inexpensive....I have seen them on sale for about a dollar for a box of 20 or so at an office supply stores (Staples or Office Max, don't recall which).

Alan wrote:

Alan, do you find the clamping pressure to vary greatly on the binder clips? I use them at work all day and some are easy a pie to open and others are unbelievably tight. Others are everywhere in between.
Just my own observations.

What ever you use, I recommend doubling your lining with a sacrificial layer. I find that clamping (regardless of the clamp) puts compression marks (dents) on the linings, and the binder clips can leave black marks. So I have taken to using some broken pieces of lining and doubling it up. It allows for a nice square to the edge clamping surface as well as protected the lining that you are gluing in.

By the way, the clamps I'm using can be found for under a buck a piece and they work perfectly leaving no stains.

Attachment:

linings.JPG

I recently had a mishap using these black metal binder clips. Seems the paint on these clips reacted with the hot hide glue, and left black discoloration on the kerfing. Not terminal, but a nuisance.

I bought a bunch of very small clips from home depot - with the green plastic handles and for covering the clamping side - pretty cheap, too, altohugh probably not as cheap as the clothespin approach.

I use these: http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools ... -8826.html

They are inexpensive, but not cheap. They do break from time to time. But who cares. The have swiveling feet which makes sure the force is directed into the sides (and will work with angled lining).

I just keep them in a grocery store plastic bag. BTW, four of the set are the next bigger size. Those come in handy for the tight spots!

Mike

Alan wrote:

Author:	Ron M. [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:	What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
Hey everyone, For those of you who use binder clips to glue on triangular kerfing, I would like to know what size you use? Attached is a photo of the size that I have which seems too small. Are they the right size or should i get larger ones? Thanks -Ron M.

Author:	Ron M. [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
Hi Todd, Thanks for answering my question. As always your help is appreciated. Thanks Ron

Author:	Tom West [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
Just for info sake check out Hoffman guitars site,go to guitar building,then making and installing linings. I've used this method for triangular lining but go to the clips for reversed. Different approaches, what ever works for you. Tom

Author:	AlexanderLou3 [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
I use the size you have and then the next size up which is almost twice that big and has more clamping power but not as good around bends. The bigger ones also work if you haven't trimmed the sides down all the way yet but install kerfing - which I did yesterday to stabilize the brittle wood I was working with so it didn't split anymore from one that had started in the scrap area (whew!)

Author:	Ron M. [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 7:39 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
Hi westca and AlexanderLou3, Thanks for you help. Just for the record I pre-profiled my sides. -Ron

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Author:	Mark Groza [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:15 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
I use regular wood cloths pins with a rubberband on the end for more pressure. They work well in tight curves too.

Author:	Corky Long [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:08 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
I recently had a mishap using these black metal binder clips. Seems the paint on these clips reacted with the hot hide glue, and left black discoloration on the kerfing. Not terminal, but a nuisance. I bought a bunch of very small clips from home depot - with the green plastic handles and for covering the clamping side - pretty cheap, too, altohugh probably not as cheap as the clothespin approach.

Author:	LanceK [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:28 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
What ever you use, I recommend doubling your lining with a sacrificial layer. I find that clamping (regardless of the clamp) puts compression marks (dents) on the linings, and the binder clips can leave black marks. So I have taken to using some broken pieces of lining and doubling it up. It allows for a nice square to the edge clamping surface as well as protected the lining that you are gluing in. By the way, the clamps I'm using can be found for under a buck a piece and they work perfectly leaving no stains. Attachment: linings.JPG

Author:	WudWerkr [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:56 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
I use the same clips that Lance uses there . They are quite inexpensive and do a nice job .

Author:	Alan [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
I have used binder clips in the past without anything getting any discoloration on the linings. I used the medium sized binder clips, which seemed to be a better fit for my needs. They are also very inexpensive....I have seen them on sale for about a dollar for a box of 20 or so at an office supply stores (Staples or Office Max, don't recall which).

Author:	LanceK [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:09 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
Alan wrote: I have used binder clips in the past without anything getting any discoloration on the linings. I used the medium sized binder clips, which seemed to be a better fit for my needs. They are also very inexpensive....I have seen them on sale for about a dollar for a box of 20 or so at an office supply stores (Staples or Office Max, don't recall which). Alan, do you find the clamping pressure to vary greatly on the binder clips? I use them at work all day and some are easy a pie to open and others are unbelievably tight. Others are everywhere in between. Just my own observations.

Author:	Corky Long [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
LanceK wrote: Alan wrote: I have used binder clips in the past without anything getting any discoloration on the linings. I used the medium sized binder clips, which seemed to be a better fit for my needs. They are also very inexpensive....I have seen them on sale for about a dollar for a box of 20 or so at an office supply stores (Staples or Office Max, don't recall which). Alan, do you find the clamping pressure to vary greatly on the binder clips? I use them at work all day and some are easy a pie to open and others are unbelievably tight. Others are everywhere in between. Just my own observations. I've experience this as well. And as for the discoloration, I didn't experience it at all on the first several guitars, until, then, I did....

Author:	WaddyThomson [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 2:38 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
I use binder clips, but I lined them all with self sticking cork liners. The self sticking cork is available at craft stores. It's a thin layer, but it keeps the clips from imprinting the lining.

Author:	Ron M. [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
LanceK wrote: What ever you use, I recommend doubling your lining with a sacrificial layer. I find that clamping (regardless of the clamp) puts compression marks (dents) on the linings, and the binder clips can leave black marks. So I have taken to using some broken pieces of lining and doubling it up. It allows for a nice square to the edge clamping surface as well as protected the lining that you are gluing in. By the way, the clamps I'm using can be found for under a buck a piece and they work perfectly leaving no stains. Attachment: linings.JPG Lance, I read one of your post in the archives a few weeks ago and ordered extra kerfing for a "sacrificial layer". Great idea thanks. Corky Long wrote: I recently had a mishap using these black metal binder clips. Seems the paint on these clips reacted with the hot hide glue, and left black discoloration on the kerfing. Not terminal, but a nuisance. I bought a bunch of very small clips from home depot - with the green plastic handles and for covering the clamping side - pretty cheap, too, altohugh probably not as cheap as the clothespin approach. Hi Corky, I purchased a few of the same mini green spring clamps from Home Depot and they are a perfect fit, but do leave indentations on the lining if a caul like Lance suggested isn't used. I just may use them for gluing the kerfing strips too. they cost 37 cents each. Thanks everyone, Ron

Author:	Mike OMelia [ Sat Feb 05, 2011 4:51 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
Yes, I guess harbor freight has a less than stellar name. If buying those clamps there might damage your rep, try walmart. Or Amazon. I've seen them in many places. They were suggested to me by a well known builder. Maybe, if stew-mac would pick them up and charge $40 a set you would like them more? For you rep wary folks, here is a good deal: http://www.amazon.com/pc-Mini-Plastic-S ... 83&sr=1-16 EDIT: Thar Harbor Freight deal is a 22 pieces, 4 3.5" and 18 2.5". For $4.99. The above is all 2.5" Mike

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Author:	Mike OMelia [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 4:34 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
I use these: http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools ... -8826.html They are inexpensive, but not cheap. They do break from time to time. But who cares. The have swiveling feet which makes sure the force is directed into the sides (and will work with angled lining). I just keep them in a grocery store plastic bag. BTW, four of the set are the next bigger size. Those come in handy for the tight spots! Mike

Author:	WudWerkr [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
Mike O'Melia wrote: I use these: http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools ... -8826.html They are inexpensive, but not cheap. They do break from time to time. But who cares. The have swiveling feet which makes sure the force is directed into the sides (and will work with angled lining). I just keep them in a grocery store plastic bag. BTW, four of the set are the next bigger size. Those come in handy for the tight spots! Mike Mike , to those of us in the industrial supplies business , ............those guys are like the ugly redheaded stepchild . J/K

Author:	Alan [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 7:07 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
LanceK wrote: Alan wrote: I have used binder clips in the past without anything getting any discoloration on the linings. I used the medium sized binder clips, which seemed to be a better fit for my needs. They are also very inexpensive....I have seen them on sale for about a dollar for a box of 20 or so at an office supply stores (Staples or Office Max, don't recall which). Alan, do you find the clamping pressure to vary greatly on the binder clips? I use them at work all day and some are easy a pie to open and others are unbelievably tight. Others are everywhere in between. Just my own observations. The ones that I had for gluing linings had pretty consistent pressure, but I do have some at work that have been around for a long time (years...I'm cheap) and they do vary. When I used them for clamping linings I figured that they are cheap enough that I can chuck them if they start getting weaker. I since moved to the regular type of spring clamps, so I haven't used the binder clips in a while.

Author:	nickton [ Sat Feb 05, 2011 2:38 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What size binder clips for gluing kerfing?
I don't see how some of y'all get enough pressure from clothes pins. You must have found really good quality ones, because mine seem woefully inadequate, and I find those home depot green ones to be best. I would think some office binder clips would be too wide for curves.