[RAILhead]

I'm trying to source a clamp I need, but no one in town has what I'm looking for -- and I don't know what to call it. Personally, I've always just called them reverse clamps, but that's not the correct term. Anyway, I'll try and describe it...

With a typical hand clamp or pair of tongs, you use the ends/grips to close around the object while you squeezing the handle to hold it -- all on the outside of the object, using inward force to hold the item.

I'm talking about those hand clamps/tongs that when you squeeze them, the grips get closer together so that you can put them inside a box (for example). When you quit squeezing, the clamp opens and holds the item from inside -- so their gripping action is outward, not inward. This is why I've always called them "reverse clamps."

Anyone know the real name for these?

[Ozz_man]

A crimping tool?

Edit, no. I don't know either. Sorry.

[JohnM15141]

For model building I use what is called a "cross action tweezer" or an "X-action Tweezer" when you squeeze it, the tongs open like a spreader and when you let go it clamps.

[MacNNUK]

Expansion clamp

Same functioning as this ?

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5711628.html

[residentEvil]

what you are looking for are bar clamps with spring action handles. you slide them off the bar and reverse them. so as you ratchet, they become SPREADERS.

Irwin makes them, the most popular. here are all the sizes.

http://www.toolbarn.com/category/irw...mps-spreaders/

sorry, fixed link top of that page are the expensive Irwin clamp/spreader. down at the bottom, are the cheaper ones (all plastic).

you can pick these up and any Lowes or Home Depot

[RAILhead]

I haven't been able to get a bar clamp to work. The interior dimensions I'm working with are 2 x 4 x 1 inches (w-d-h). The turning shaft is too large to fit inside those dimensions, and none of the clamps I've been able to find have enough of a lip edge to grab to where I wouldn't have to worry about the shaft.

[residentEvil]

that small, what will the clamp do for you? make a small cube the inside dimensions then; that will provide the outward force you need and keeping it from collapsing.

if you need perfect miters; use miter clamps.

[residentEvil]

and, for something that small. look in model making tools.

[RAILhead]

My Dad came up with a better, and cheaper idea.

What I'm doing is streamlining the painting and clear coating process for my guitar effects shells. What I ended up doing was simply getting a 6-32 threaded rod and screwing it into the already existing hole in the effect shell. I then used washers to keep some space between the top and bottom (so paint doesn't try and fill-up the seam), and screwed the bottom plate on.

So, rather than use a $17 clamp for each shell (I typically paint 5 at a time, so that's over $90 after tax), I'm using an $0.80 threaded rod cut into 4 lengths.

Go Dads!