Pipe Clamp Pads / Stands

Years ago I had rigged up some pads for my pipe clamps. I don't use pipe clamps often so they ended up just staying on them. They were crude but functional. On a recent project I had a rare need for pipe clamps once again. The old pads were bugging me so I took an hour this morning and made some different ones. Just a piece of scrap ply with a hole drilled in it.



If your clamp heads don't have small holes for screws (mine didn't) you can easily drill the cast iron.



I made a quick angle jig to suit this task out of 1/4" MDF. Ignore the box joint ends. This was just a piece of scrap.

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You end up with your pads and a selection of wedges to shove under all those uneven chair legs one might have around .



And they end up like so . . .

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I do a lot of pre-sanding and even some pre-finishing prior to assembly. The pads help keep me from dinging surfaces when clamping and they still fit in the clamp rack.

Great tips and write-up Glenn. May have to do a few of those to mine.

Had similar thoughts perhaps 20-25 years ago. Don't recall why I glued the pieces together. Must have had a reason.......I think. Don't recall using them but just a few times. Nevertheless I like yours better. You obviously put more thought into your clamp blocks.

glenn bradley said:

On a recent project I had a rare need for pipe clamps once again.

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See, this is where you lost me, Glenn.

I still have a couple pipe clamps. somewhere. Not even in my shop. Haven't touched them in 3+ years I think...

But I'll keep this in mind just in case!

Great approach to a real issue! I've seen a few solutions over the years and I like yours the best. I'll have to implement it in my spare time.

Art Mulder said:

See, this is where you lost me, Glenn.

I still have a couple pipe clamps. somewhere. Not even in my shop. Haven't touched them in 3+ years I think...

But I'll keep this in mind just in case!

Click to expand...

You are like me in that respect Art. I know some folks use pipe clamps all the time but, for me they are a rare beast. When you need them, there is really no substitute so I am glad I have them. I rigged a wall rack behind a tall tool cabinet which is on wheels. This keeps them out of the way but, I can still find them when I need them .