Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: ChadTower on May 02, 2005, 11:52:32 am
-
I have a pin that has a bit of separation in one of the corners of the cabinet. I am going to fix it this week, but was wondering... is the pipe clamp the best way to go? I can't just turn it on it's side, this is a widebody that weighs a lot and I have to compress the corner from two sides, I assume.
What type of pipe does one use for pipe clamp? Does it have to be metal or can it be PVC? PVC is much easier to cut.
-
I believe that most pipe clamps are designed to use 3/4" steel pipe. Cutting should not be needed. One end of the clamp screws on to the threaded end of the pipe, the other part can slide up and down the length of the pipe. I currently have 5 foot lengths of pipe for my pipe clamps. I could use them clamp two sheets of paper together if I wanted, or anything up to about 4' 6" or so.
-
Heh, yeah, have to clamp the pinball machine lengthwise AND widthwise to get the corner compressed enough to replace the corner butt inside... should be a bit longer than 5'4" but probably not much longer. Thanks...
-
Then you need a 6' foot lentgh of pipe. It usually comes in many different lengths.
-
You could try loading straps with a right angle block over the corner you're clamping but I'm not sure what the clamping pressure is like on those things.
-
Probably not enough, I have winching loading straps and it's not really going to get you the type of tension you need here. It wouldn't be any cheaper, either.
-
When buying your pipe, black iron pipe is what you want. You can get it in a number of sizes - for your purposes 1/2 inch (which is the INSIDE dimension) will be plenty, but make sure to get the clamp heads that match the size pipe you buy. In fact, make sure they fit before you check out of the hardware store!
The pipe comes in all kinds of lengths. You're pieces need to be about three or four inches longer than the longest thing you have to clamp. Oh, and it doesn't have to have thread on both ends, so it may be cheaper to buy a 10 foot piece and cut it into, say, a 4 footer and a 6 footer.
-
They make frame clamps for picture frames, but I'm not sure if the band/strap will be long enough. Dire's right, though. The frame clamps are simply corner "catchers" with a strap/band running around it. That strap you have will probably be pretty good if you nail some 2x4's together to form a right angle. Just make 4 sets for each corner, and it should work better than you envision.
They DO make right angle clamps for what you're looking to do, but they're expensive as all get out, and I've heard their success rate is hit or miss. Center your strap over each 2x4 corner brace. I'm assuming the strap you're talking about is about 3-4" wide, which should work fine.
A few other options are to check out Northern Tool (www.northern.com) or harbor freight (www.harborfreight.com) to see if they have something for ya.
-
Not sure I see how those would work better than some simple pipe clamps, actually... sometimes, the simple solution is best.