Filmwasters

Which Board? => Resources => Topic started by: lharby on September 29, 2016, 01:27:01 PM

Title: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: lharby on September 29, 2016, 01:27:01 PM

Hi.

I hope this is the right area to post this. It's not necessarily film specific although in my case it is.

I am trying to source (and I don't know the words) something that will allow me to clamp flat items (paper, card, perspex etc) to a flash stand, or similar.

I have tons of these: ebay link (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/182057592672?lpid=122&chn=ps&adgroupid=27378760866&rlsatarget=pla-181484327826&adtype=pla&poi=&googleloc=1006933&device=c&campaignid=620865095&crdt=0)

But I really need a clamp which itself can be clamped to something. Almost like one of these but on a much larger scale of course (attached).

I can go with something relatively DIY.

I can't attach something over the lens, as in many cases I will need some distance between the lens and the filter.

Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: Pete_R on September 29, 2016, 06:19:28 PM

This?

https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/spring-clamp-clamps-on-to-bars-up-to-40mm (https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/spring-clamp-clamps-on-to-bars-up-to-40mm)

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: lharby on September 29, 2016, 09:46:27 PM

Yeah that'll do it.

I also discovered I owned something which might work. It's like a crab claw and has a tripod screw thread.

And I found this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141439443012?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141439443012?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: Francois on October 07, 2016, 11:10:29 PM

The metal A clamps from the hardware store really do make most photo studios hold together. This and gaffer's.
You can take a cheap A clamp and just epoxy a ¼-20 nut on it and it becomes super handy.
You can also screw them to dowels, lamp arms, lumber, pipes... they literally can hold anything.

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: lharby on October 12, 2016, 08:56:16 AM

Thanks Francois.

I have discovered another weird anomaly since I posted. The crab claw thing I have actually has a male thread instead of female, so I have no way of attaching it to a flash stand.

I asked at the local camera shop, they do sell these http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-joby-hub-adaptor/p1566349?mkwid=sm9j3z1iw_dc&pcrid=89741455619&kword=&match=&plid=&product=1566349&gclid=cofcz_dk1m8cfcavgwodeqeoag (http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-joby-hub-adaptor/p1566349?mkwid=sm9j3z1iw_dc&pcrid=89741455619&kword=&match=&plid=&product=1566349&gclid=cofcz_dk1m8cfcavgwodeqeoag) but they are 1/4 inch. And I can't find a female to female adapter, maybe they don't exist.

(I will try and post a photo  at some point, although I am hoping it's clear).

Will try epoxying threads to clamps though. Thank you.

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: Francois on October 12, 2016, 10:33:50 PM

If you go to a hardware store, ask them for a threaded rod extender. It's a type of long nut made to fit two threaded rods together.
Ans if yo need two different threads, you can always tap one side of extender to a different size.

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: chris667 on November 30, 2016, 05:07:45 PM

My partner is a jeweller. In her workshop, there is a "proper" vice, but in the past she had one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5-Aluminum-Mini-Jewelers-Hobby-Clamp-On-Table-Bench-Vise-Vice-Tool-Durable-/361756764561?hash=item543a622991:g:wb4AAOSwPcVVsedQ (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5-Aluminum-Mini-Jewelers-Hobby-Clamp-On-Table-Bench-Vise-Vice-Tool-Durable-/361756764561?hash=item543a622991:g:wb4AAOSwPcVVsedQ)

100% useless as a vice, but perfect for what you want. If you are near Derby you can have ours for free but for £2.42, you might as well buy one and have it delivered.

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: lharby on December 06, 2016, 10:38:16 AM

Quote from: chris667 on November 30, 2016, 05:07:45 PM

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5-Aluminum-Mini-Jewelers-Hobby-Clamp-On-Table-Bench-Vise-Vice-Tool-Durable-/361756764561?hash=item543a622991:g:wb4AAOSwPcVVsedQ (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5-Aluminum-Mini-Jewelers-Hobby-Clamp-On-Table-Bench-Vise-Vice-Tool-Durable-/361756764561?hash=item543a622991:g:wb4AAOSwPcVVsedQ)

Thanks. I think I am actually set now for the clamp parts. Although that item would be useful and especially at that price.

The bit I am struggling with is finding screw thread and long bolts in the same diameter as tripods etc.

3/8 - 16 UNC
1/4 - 20 UNC

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: chris667 on December 06, 2016, 06:03:53 PM

Unc was standard on British cars until the seventies. I imagine if you go to a garage that works on old cars they would give you a couple for free.

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: Francois on December 06, 2016, 10:48:57 PM

here in Canada they sell under the SAE standard.
If you want bolts and screws, I can shop at the hardware store for you, just let me know the length you need.
This is the site for the store chain that's nearest my place
http://www.rona.ca/en?catalogId=10051&langId=-1&storeId=10151 (http://www.rona.ca/en?catalogId=10051&langId=-1&storeId=10151)

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: lharby on December 07, 2016, 08:47:36 AM

Francois, I might take you up on that. Thank you.

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: lharby on December 15, 2016, 09:56:17 AM

Massive shoutout to Francois.

What a legend.

Thanks so much.

 ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
Post by: Francois on December 15, 2016, 02:08:01 PM

Thanks!
You're very welcome :)