Biscuit shaped connector for RTA furniture
Aug 07, 2009
Joined with a metal cam (a plastic version is also available) the Clamex is made for joining and disassembling RTA funriture. Each side is secured in an 8mm biscuit slot with a pair of screws.
Longtime woodworkers might be preparing my gallows for talking about ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture, but anyone who’s sent their kids off to college knows the value of a desk or bookcase that can squeeze inside an already stuffed subcompact.
Lamello’s Clamex biscuit-shaped connector allows for quick and easy assembly of RTA furniture. The fiberglass reinforced plastic connector fits inside an 8mm biscuit slot and the pieces are joined and separated with a torx-shaped hex wrench. If you don’t a have a Lamello C3 biscuit joiner and their 8mm blade, the company says a pair of plunges from a typical biscuit joiner also works.
Clamex is offered in two styles: one with a metal connecting lever and the other with a plastic lever. The company suggests the metal version for furniture that’s likely to see more than a couple assembly/disassembly cycles. Just make sure to pack the torx wrench with your son or daughter’s laundry bag, raman noodles, and other college essentials.
The plastic version (model S-11) is packaged in an 18-pair kit that inlcude the wrench, marking jig, and 75 mounting screws. It sells for about $50. The kit with the metal version (S-18) sells for $55. If you’d like more information, I’d suggest taking a look at the video posted on the Colonial Saw Web site where you can also place an order.
Comments
Well maybe not the gallows, but I'm sure you'll get a few dirty looks along the way.
Might I suggest coming up with other practical uses for these little suckers then RTA furniture.
Like .... You could use them on a dinning room table that has leaves (extensions). ie... between the leaves and the table to lock them in place. I remember when I was about 8 or 9 we had a walnut table with leaves that was extended for a big dinner with lots of guests and food and then the adults decided to move the loaded table. As it was being moved it separated and nobody noticed. That is, until a heavy dish that had been placed at the hidden gap went through. Not only did it find the floor, but it dragged everything else with it. I remember the table had a locking system to keep it closed when the leaves were out of the table, but nothing when it was extended.
So I pose a challange to the other readers . . . .
What other uses can you come up with?
I wonder if you could use these to connect bedrails to legs. Would it be strong enough? Perhaps someone needs to test the shear strength of these things.
I'd use them in office furniture like for lawyers, physicians and salons. The obvious application of these fasteners would be for aligning Part A with Part B, but would not be for what I would call load bearing surfaces.
If the finished product is to be installed by end user, i.e. non-skilled workers, an allen wrench and at least one functioning eye, should be all one needs to put a system together.
I like the concept.
As the Lamello product manager for Colonial Saw Company, importer and master distributor of Lamello in the USA. I want to update Finewoodworking readers about Lamello Clamex connector systems as there has been several additions and improvments.
Clamex-S is the screw in version of this RTA/Knock Down connector system explained in this original post. All Clamex connectors now are exclusive with metal cam lever locks, and 4 mm Allen hex keys instead of the previous Torx head. This allows for easier instalation, universal tool accessability, more assembly/re-assembly uses. Clamex S can be used with any biscuit joiner, making either 2 plunge cuts one on top the other with a standard 4 mm thicj biscuit blade, or with a Lamello brand biscuit joiner there is a dedicated 8 mm thick Clamex S cutter available.
A new version of Clamex has also been released. It not not require scres, the parts slide into a propriatary " P system" slot. This is done with eeither a special Lamello biscuit joiner called the "ZETA" or can done with a CNC router. There are more sizes of Clamex connectors available with the "P system" version for thinner materials. Bulk packaging allows for lower cost. Clamex P is mouch faster and easier to use than the "S" screw in version because there is no need to put 4 screws into each connection, simply make a P system slot with one plunge of the Zeta, drill the allen key hole with drill jig that comes with the Zeta, then slide the parts in place, down the panels together with a quarter turn of the allen key and done!
As for applications, RTA - knock down assemblies are obvious, and about half of current Clamex users use Clamex not only for their knock down assembly feature, but also for their accurate tight holding ability. Many woodworkers use Clamex in lieu of traditional clamps, particulary good for odd shapes or hold to reach places that require clamps for glue up.
Also great for any large piece assemblies, large cabinets and case goods might not fit through a doorway, but an interior closet system packed flat in pieces can be easily assembled in short about of time using Clamex.
For more information about Lamello Clamex and P system connectors, click to the URL below...
http://www.csaw.com/lamello/clamex.html
If you have any questions or want to try a Lamello ZETA and Clamex connectors, please contact us at 800-252-6355
(800) 2LAMELLO
Karl Frey
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