Author Topic: Advice sought, clamps and clamping  (Read 4668 times)

lharby

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Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« 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

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.
Everything should be tried once except incest and folk dancing.

Pete_R

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"I've been loading films into spirals for so many years I can almost do it with my eyes shut."

lharby

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Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« Reply #2 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
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Francois

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Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« Reply #3 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.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

lharby

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Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« Reply #4 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 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.
Everything should be tried once except incest and folk dancing.

Francois

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Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« Reply #5 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.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

chris667

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Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« Reply #6 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

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.

lharby

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Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2016, 10:38:16 AM »
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
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chris667

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Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« Reply #8 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.

Francois

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Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« Reply #9 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
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

lharby

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Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2016, 08:47:36 AM »
Francois, I might take you up on that. Thank you.
Everything should be tried once except incest and folk dancing.

lharby

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Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« Reply #11 on: December 15, 2016, 09:56:17 AM »
Massive shoutout to Francois.

What a legend.

Thanks so much.

 ;D ;D ;D
Everything should be tried once except incest and folk dancing.

Francois

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Re: Advice sought, clamps and clamping
« Reply #12 on: December 15, 2016, 02:08:01 PM »
Thanks!
You're very welcome :)

Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.