CREATE A USEFUL CLAMP FROM TWO PIECES OF WOOD

Peter Brooks writes: A recent article by Dave Lowery, Top Five Uses for Wood (MR276) has prompted me to get in touch with another potential use for a piece of wood, only on this occasion, two are required. It may be that I have come across a technique that is ‘old hat’ but, if so, I have yet to see it presented anywhere. Let me explain!

I recently embarked on the construction of a Metcalfe Models card model (an ‘N’ gauge goods shed). Part of the construction process involves folding the main roof, so that it adopts the apex angle set through the build of the main structure. This includes the incorporation of a card stiffener, glued to the underside of the roof. When dry, the stiffener allows the roof structure to retain the desired apex angle. To create the fold in the roof requires application of reasonably uniform pressure over the area of the roof for the time taken for the glue to dry. I was convinced that I would not be able to apply a uniform pressure by hand for the whole drying time, so decided to see if I could come up with a simple solution. My idea involves two pieces of 20mm square section wood (beech in my case, although any type will work) each the same length (around 300mm, but this is not a critical dimension) and a couple of strips of masking tape. As my diagram shows, this simple arrangement provides a flexible means of aiding the construction of the roof for most card building kits.

Structures of different geometry (including the roof apex angle) are very easy to accommodate by changing the distance between the two sections of wood, simply by altering the length of the masking tape strips. If you need to add extra weight, perhaps to help keep everything in place while the glue dries, then that is also straightforward. Just place an appropriately sized weight across the two wooden sections.

Overall, I am very pleased just how easy the roof structure was to build – the jig was easy to use and, most importantly, it worked a treat. I have used the method with ‘N’ gauge kits and I’m sure that it will map across any scale with many other possible applications.