What is this clamp for?

[turbo6justin]

This is a general question but I think it is woodworking related so I will throw it on this forum. I recently picked up my BT3000 and the owner had this clamp he was not sure what it was for. What is killing me is I know I have seen one of these in the past but I just can't place it. I think the 'stud' goes into a bench dog hole on a bench or something like that. The flat part of the foot is padded with checkered rubber. Not important in the grand scheme of things but it is seriously bugging me.



Many thanks.

[Chris_B]

I recently picked up my BT3000 and the owner had this clamp he was not sure what it was for. What is killing me is I know I have seen one of these in the past but I just can't place it. I think the 'stud' goes into a bench dog hole on a bench or something like that. The flat part of the foot is padded with checkered rubber.

Many thanks.

Looks like a miter saw clamp (to squeeze stock against the back fence). The wrench next to it looks like the arbor nut wrench for a miter saw.

[leehljp]

I am 99% sure that clamp was made for a work bench that has benchdog holes. Worktables that have benchdog holes and use pegs/'dogs or clamps - these really add to the versatility of the table and help in holding and securing work pieces better than a third hand could!

AFter seeing Chris's answer, that could be it.

[Richard in Smithville]

I have to agree with Chris. It didn't come with any BT 3 that I have ever seen.

[dbhost]

Are there any stampings on it? Maybe a manufacturer or model something like that?

[turbo6justin]

No markings, stampings, or anything identifying. My thought was the bench dog idea too. Weird thing is it would have to sit off the end of the table to rotate the handle and there would of course be another dog to clamp whatever against on the other side. That being said most common woodworking benches will have a wood vice on the end already which usually has a pop up dog on the vice for the same reason.

Another quick question if someone knows off hand, ereplacements parts was 1-2 weeks on the washer for the miter fence lock (SMT) on my bt3000 and I didn't want to wait for my other goodies. Is this washer similar or even identical to the washer on the BT3000 miter clamp?

[Chris_B]

The reason that I think it is from a miter saw is that my old Makita (back-busting cast-iron brute) had a similar clamp, but with a quick-release. The arbor wrench also looked almost identical to what is in the picture.

The handle does not look like it would clear a table-top (with knuckles intact!) for bench-dog use.

[LCHIEN]

I agree with Chris B. Miter saw workpiece clamp.

[mpc]

Take a look at the "zoom view" of this sample Ridgid miter saw. It shows a similar gizmo on the far right side of the saw. The round part fits into a mating hole on the saw's work surface, the gizmo sits flush with the work surface so it doesn't block/interfere with the work piece... and the "foot" plate screws in/out to hold the work piece against the saw fence. In the Rigdid picture, you can see a second mounting hole on the left side of the saw next to the stubby "extension wing" on this particular saw so the clamp can be installed on either side of the blade.

The fatter foot of the original poster's picture makes me think of a metal cutting chop saw; they often have beefier supports than a wood cutting miter saw. Whatever that thing is, it didn't come with any BT3xxx table saw!

mpc

Ridgid saw with a similar work piece clamp

[leehljp]

Ridgid saw with a similar work piece clamp

They sure look alike. I do have an old adjustable clamp that uses holes that it reminds me of.

[Black wallnut]

No, the miter clamp uses a larger washer. The washer for the SMT fence clamp is a standard 5/16" washer.

[LCHIEN]

No, the miter clamp uses a larger washer. The washer for the SMT fence clamp is a standard 5/16" washer.

Yes. The washer under the knob atop the miter fence is a $0.05 5/16th washer from any hardware store.

[turbo6justin]

Great news about the washer, that will save a little headache looking for a special washer. I probably have a few hundred 5/16" washers in the garage already. Very nice!

I like the ideas for the clamp, I know it was not bt3x related but I am not about to throw it away either. Now I just need to find a way to use it for something. I just went and looked at my miter saw and if the peg was turned down a bunch it would work as a hold down clamp for that. The peg measures about .965 as it is. Good call on the wrench too. It fits both my metal chop saw and my miter saw blade nut. It was another "I don't know what this is for but take it? gifts.