Workshop tip: Heat-shrink tubing makes clamp handles easy to grip
It's inexpensive and makes handles larger and grippier.
While I love my Bessey K-Body parallel-jaw clamps, my hands aren’t getting any younger, and I find the narrow wooden handles difficult to grip tightly. When doing some electrical work recently, it occurred to me that heat-shrink tubing might be the perfect solution. I found 1-1/2-in.-dia. tubing in 4-ft. lengths for a little over $10 on Amazon. I cut pieces to length, slipped them over the handles, applied heat, and presto—larger handles with a rubber surface that makes them a cinch to tighten! The heat-shrink tubing has heat-activated adhesive on the inside, so it bonds firmly to the handles. To add the same powerful grip to other types of clamps, just buy appropriately sized tubing.
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—HANK PRICE, French Camp, Miss.
Illustrations by Dan Thornton
From Fine Woodworking issue #287
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Bessey Band Clamp
MicroJig Matchfit dovetail clamps
3M Blue Tape
Comments
I don't know much about heat shrink tubing but what I received from Amazon has a harder surface, thus slippier than the paint on the handle. The diameter is slightly larger but not enough to improve the grip.
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