Double C Clamps for laminating timber beams

The idea of designing these DIY double C Clamps for laminating wood came from the need to quickly obtain a large number of laminated beams in a short time.

We used to laminate timber beams by using a lot of F clamps on each edge of the beam. The entire process of laminating was very difficult and the time we spent to do that was huge. Not to speak about the soreness in our hands. So that, instead of using the usual F clamps, we chose to build these home made double C clamps.

Why do these double C clamps for laminating timber help us?

So, let’s see how these Double C Clamps for laminating timber help us:

we save a lot of time when laminating
we can make the laminated timber beams any length, just as needed
we don’t need that many F clamps to make them
only one C clamp applies pressure on both edges of the laminated timber
no more pain for our hands

A short video to see how to make your own clamping system to laminate timber beams

You can take a look at this short video to find out how we built our own clamping system to laminate timber beams:

How to make DIY double C clamps for laminating wood boards

For these DIY double C clamps you need:

one piece o square tubing (we used 30 mm x 40 mm with a 2 mm wall thickness)
two hex screws (M 10)
two nuts (M 10)
a piece of steel corner profile
a piece of flat bar

1. Take a piece of steel tubing: 4 cm x 3 cm with at least 2 mm thickness

square tube used to make our DIY double C clamps for laminating timber — The piece of steel tubing

2. Mark two points so that you can cut the piece of square tube and you can bend it in these points at 90 degrees

marking the positions of the cuts needed to be able to bend the square tube — Drawing the lines so we can cut the square tube

3. Cut the square tube by using the angle grinder

our cuts are done, so that we can bend the square tube — The intricate cuts in the steel tubing are done

4. Bend the square tube at the cuts

bending the square tube to give shape to our diy double c clamp for laminated timber beam — Bending the square tube

5. Try to make it as square as possible

trying to make the double c clamp as square as possible — The double C clamp has to be as square as possible

6. Weld the corners of your custom made double C clamp

welding the corners of the c clamp for laminating wood boards — Welding the corners of the double C clamp

7. Cut the ends of the square tube at 45 degrees so that the double C clamps will look nice

cut the ends of the square tube so that the c clamps to look nice — Cut the ends of the double C clamp at 45 degrees to make it look nicer

8. Measure and cut two pieces of flat bar (the same width as the square tube, or as close as possible)

choose a piece of metal strip to cover the ends of the double c clamp — Measuring a piece of flat bar to cover the ends of the double C clamp

the caps will cover the ends of the c clamp — The caps cover and reinforce the ends of the c clamp

9. Weld the caps. The caps are not just for looks, as they help the clamp maintain it’s shape, too.

welding the caps so that the double c clamp to maintain it's shape — Welding the caps

10. Drill two holes for the tightening screws. We used three different diameter drill bits to avoid damaging the battery drill. Drilling progressive diameter holes reduces the time to drill large holes, actually.

drilling two holes for the tightening screws we used — Drilling two holes for the tightening screws

11. Weld the nuts. Welding the nuts is tricky because you must weld them strong without damaging their shape. To weld them correctly and easy, you can use the hex screws and an additional nut to keep them in place.

weld the nuts easier by using the hex screws — Welding the nuts by using hex screws to keep them in place

the welding is almost done so the double c clamps are ready to be painted — The welding is almost done

12. Clean the welds with the angle grinder. That makes them look even better, if you are not that good at welding (my case, too). Try to make the surface and the corners smoother so that the double C clamps will look better after applying the paint.

cleaning the custom double c clamp before painted it — Cleaning the welds of the custom C clamp

13. Paint them. Paint makes everything look way better. It also helps prevent rust. Also,you can clean them easier when they get dirty with sawdust.

14. Use the custom double C clamps to make your own laminated timber beams, quickly and easy. We use steel pressing pads to avoid damaging the face of the laminated wood boards. These ones are some old steel pressing pads so they need some improvements to work and look better.