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dowel plenty of thread to grip. But it shouldn't extend too much above the hole, or it'll interfere with the quick-release action of the lever. CAM VS. KNOB A cam lever is installed just like a knob. After sliding a washer over the bolt, simply rotate the lever until it touches the washer, like you would install a knob. Unlike a knob, however, you can push the lever down toward the wide side of the cam to add more holding power. Remember, the lever doesn't have to be completely horizontal to work. When you're finished, just flip the lever back to the up position to loosen its grip. You don't have to rotate the lever to release the pressure like you do a knob. ADJUSTING THE LEVER If you need the lever to lie as flat as possible, all you have to do is unscrew the lever a little bit at a time until you get the clamping pressure and lever position you want. Depending on your application, though, there may be times when you just can't change the orientation of the lever. The remedy is to adjust the space between the lever and the jig (drawing above). You can do this by adding washers or using thicker or thinner washers. Some manufacturers include different washers with their cam levers. So the next time you need to build a shop jig or fixture, give cam levers a try. They could become one of the most useful and time-saving tools in your shop. A washers can A Cam Clamp. This clamp slides along a T-track and leaves the top of your project unobstructed. downward force to keep your workpiece flat. It's low profile makes it perfect for holding your project while sanding. Other uses include holding panels and picture frames together during glueup. Going Sideways The cam levers mentioned above are designed to apply downward pressure to a jig or workpiece. Shop Fox has gone another direction and developed a low-profile cam lever that applies pressure sideways. How this cam works is that you first slide it into a T-track and push it firmly against your workpiece (see photo). Next, tighten the hex screw in the handle to secure the clamp. Then move the handle from one side to the other to tighten the jaw against the workpiece. Another feature is that the jaw is set at an angle to provide not only horizontal pressure, but also it's all In The Flip As you can see in the photos below, not all cam levers are the same. While they all operate on the same principle, they come in various sizes and shapes. What surprised me while I was working with these levers is that their small size didn't translate to small holding power — these cams can generate a lot of downward force. Lee Valley M Small Size, but Strong. This compact cam lever from Lee Valley comes with extra washers to allow you to change the lever orientation and clamping pressure. The slotted cross dowel makes the cam lever easy to assemble. Rockier ► Easier Grip. This Rockier cam lever is a little larger than the one above and comes with nylon washers, but the cross dowel isn't slotted. What I like about this lever is that the end curves up, making it easier to get your finger under the cam when you need to release its grip. Woodhaven _ m Two Levers Acting as One. This lever from Woodhaven is the beefiest of the three. It's dual-action design has eccentric cams on two sides, so you can flip it either way to add pressure. The rubber washer sandwiched between two metal ones reduces the chance of applying too much pressure and causing damage. |
