How do I make this clamp?

[atgcpaul]

My dad's going to help me hang the siding on my garage but he's not always available and even if he is available, I think having siding gauges would be helpful even with two people. I found this DIY solution which seems doable except I don't have a welder and don't know anyone with a welder. I already have two of these HF clamps I'm willing to sacrifice and various pieces of mild steel and AL angle. I can handle joining the upright to the clamp head since it's plastic. However, how do I join the small piece of angle to the sliding metal clamp section without a welder?

http://forums.finehomebuilding.com/b...-siding-gauges



Thanks,
Paul

[Black wallnut]

Flathead sheet metal screws in counter sunk holes. Or epoxy.

[atgcpaul]

Flathead sheet metal screws in counter sunk holes. Or epoxy.

Are you talking about using sheet metal screws (or epoxy) to attach the angle iron that's resting on the flat clamp bar? I don't see how.

[bmyers]

Looks like a great excuse to buy a $100 welder from harbor freight. It's like hot glue for metal!!

Bill

[tfischer]

Bolt a straight piece on sideways, and put an s-twist in it to change the orientation to the other dimension.

[Black wallnut]

Ok I see where that part could be a problem. Screw the angle to the bar and cut off the flat above the bar. Instead of a 1" piece horizontal to the top of the bar use a 2" piece vertical tot he side of the bar.

An alternative would be to use a bandsaw and 1x6 off cut to build a couple of gauge blocks that match the offset profile or are you hand nailing?

[woodturner]

I found this DIY solution which seems doable except I don't have a welder and don't know anyone with a welder.

Seems like a complicated solution to a simple problem.

Here is what I did when I sided my garage by myself with hardiplank:
1. Tie a loop in two pieces of nylon string.
2. Slide the siding piece into the loops.
3. Hoist the siding to approximate location with the strings, wrap them around nails to hold the piece in place.
4. Start in the middle of the siding piece, use an L-shaped piece of plywood to set the reveal, and nail the siding in place, working from the middle to the end.

BTW, Maze hot dipped galvanized nails are a great choice for hardiplank, and Lowes carries them.

[Black wallnut]

Or rent one. Or visit your local HS that has a welding class and donate to their cookie fund.....

[atgcpaul]

Looks like a great excuse to buy a $100 welder from harbor freight. It's like hot glue for metal!!

Bill

But the commercial clamps are only $60

I don't know how much I'd use a welder. I just don't have the money to buy it, the space to store it, or the time to learn how to use it. I had fun doing spot welds in middle school shop class, though. We also got to use an acetylene torch, too. Surprising how much trust they put in 12 and 13 year olds.

[atgcpaul]

Seems like a complicated solution to a simple problem.

Here is what I did when I sided my garage by myself with hardiplank:
1. Tie a loop in two pieces of nylon string.
2. Slide the siding piece into the loops.
3. Hoist the siding to approximate location with the strings, wrap them around nails to hold the piece in place.
4. Start in the middle of the siding piece, use an L-shaped piece of plywood to set the reveal, and nail the siding in place, working from the middle to the end.

I saw a Youtube video like that. It just didn't seem as "cool" but I've never been cool so sounds good to me. It's just 5 rows on each side.

BTW, Maze hot dipped galvanized nails are a great choice for hardiplank, and Lowes carries them.

He said Lowe's. Drink! You really know how to hurt a guy.

The Hardi instructions said to use 11gauge nails. All the Maze nails (on their website) were 12 gauge or smaller or 11 gauge and too long.

[atgcpaul]

Going to dome this so I don't get in trouble for patent violations.

[woodturner]

He said Lowe's. Drink! You really know how to hurt a guy.

The Hardi instructions said to use 11gauge nails. All the Maze nails (on their website) were 12 gauge or smaller or 11 gauge and too long.

Don't know whether the gauge is critical or not. The maze website suggests the Lowes models should be OK. Without digging out the box, I'm guessing I used the S205A nails, Lowes Item #: 69552 | Model #: S205A112. Unfortunately Lowes seems to be the only box store that stocks them.

FWIW, I build the shop/garage about 10 years ago and have had no problems with the siding or the nails. Have not even had to paint the siding - painted it with two coats when installed, still looks great.

[cray-]

Another option, 3 sections of angle arranged like this. Bolt through the bottom, counter sink screw/bolt on top piece. Drawing not to scale but you get the idea.

[Pappy]

Looks like a great excuse to buy a $100 welder from harbor freight. It's like hot glue for metal!!

Bill

Good idea except that we are looking at steel to aluminum. That means TIG which is several thou and a steep learning curve.

Possible to cut 2 smaller pieces of the alum angle, bolt them sticking out either side of the HF clamp, and mount the piece you need to hold the siding to them. Like Cray posted while I was typing.....

[cray-]

Possible to cut 2 smaller pieces of the alum angle, bolt them sticking out either side of the HF clamp, and mount the piece you need to hold the siding to them. Like Cray posted while I was typing.....

Great minds....