another use for handscrew clamp

[LCHIEN]

I found another use for a handscrew clamp this morning.
I cut a wood disk 2-3/8" dia with a 3/4" center hole.
The original stock was 1/2" thick.
I wanted 2, ~1/8 to 3/16th" thick disks.

I went to the bandsaw and set it up for resawing with a 1/2" blade.
In a moment of stupidity, I held the outer edge of the disk with the other edge pressed to the fence and the circumference of the disk to the table.
When it hit the blade it immediately jumped backward, started spinning and then the dust cleared it was rolling madly into the wall behind the BS, still spinning. I don't even know how it got to the other side of the blade.

Now I say "moment of stupidity" because I
(1) had not considered the rolling effect- the tendency of a round item to roll forward as pulled by the teeth.
(2) had thought of but not figured out how I was going to hold if for the next slice which would have left about 1/8" for me to hold and
(3) how the cut might close up on the blade with all the side pressure I was going to apply (which had not even happened yet).

So I cooled off for a while and then got out a wooden 12" handscrew clamp. Oiled the screw threads because they squeaked a bit.

laid the clamp on its side on the BS table, opened the jaws and grabbed the edge of the disk (with one tangent of the disk touching the table) and cut it immediately (with me holding and guiding the clamp this time) with no problem. Then I moved the clamp to the very edge of the remaining piece and made the second cut. This photo is the remainder that was left in the clamp - .08" worth. I did burnish the end of one jaw of the clamp withthe blade ever so slightly - but it's wood so no damage done. I can even clean up the jaw with sandpaper if need be.

[cabinetman]

I try to forsee eventual problem through a procedure, and sometimes not very successfully. It's that moment of reality that lets loose. By then, it's too late.

Handscrews are one of my favorite clamps. Ive got several uses that serve me well. One is to use a large one 12" flat on the bench, and open it evenly enough to hold a cabinet door or drawer front vertically to do edge work, like iron on veneer. The one clamp can be clamped to the bench, so all it takes is a slight turn of one handle.

Another use is as an anywhere vise, by laying one flat, and using a second one to clamp the first one to the table. Like clamping a belt sander vertically while working on the job somewhere.