spring miter clamps

[tlt]

I have been using spring miter clamps (similar to these: http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...Clamp-Set.aspx ) for picture frames, mitered doors, etc. over the past year and I really like them. However, after some usage, the clamps loosen up a bit and become too loose for the pliers. Short of manhandling them with my bare hands , are there any tried and true methods for re-forming the spring clamps back to their original shape?

Thanks for any advice,
--tlt

[tlt]

second call

It was a long weekend and not too many people were indoors at there computers, so I thought I'd bump this thread once to see if it catches anyone's attention.

Does anyone have a good way to re-bend/restore the form of spring miter clamps?

[Tom Slick]

I don't know about re-forming them but if you buy new ones try collins tools http://www.collinstool.com/base.php?page=tools.htm

[cabinetman]

They usually get stretched out by expanding them way beyond what's needed. I usually hold the clamp on the pieces just larger of their opening (positioning on the pieces). It doesn't take much pressure to pull two well fitted parts. You might try using a large slip joint (Channel lock) and closing them up beyond their present opening size. IOW bend them to a smaller opening.
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[tlt]

thanks for the help. i think you may be on to something with the overextending, as i always tried to get the clamps onto the miter pretty "deep".