Recently my son and I were gluing up a mitered base for a hope chest using a band clamp. I needed some blocks to avoid damaging the miters under the clamping pressure. I came up with this simple, effective solution using stuff around my shop.

Start with four pairs of 3⁄4-in. MDF blocks, about 2 in. square. Join each pair with two pieces of nylon webbing (from an old ratchet tie down or backpack). Staple the webbing to the blocks, leaving about 1-1⁄2 in. between them. Knock the sharp corners off the bottom of the blocks with a plane or sandpaper. The MDF blocks provide a broad clamping surface, and the band clamp slides easily over the webbing and stays in place nicely.

Jim Richey

Mark Driedger, Dallas, TX

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