DIY Pneumatic Saw Clamp
I made one of theses many years ago when I was helping my father with a shop he was building. We were using very long 2×4’s and this style pneumatic clamp helped hold the extra long boards while we cut them down to a more manageable size. It can also save a finger or two by keeping your hands away from the blade in the event that things go sideways 😐
What you’ll need:
Your saw or other application may vary, so these parts are just examples based on what I’m showing in the video. The pneumatic components directly below are from AutomationDirect.com
- AVS-53D2-HL 5 port 2 position toggle valve 1/4 NPT (Qty 1)
- A17020SN 1 and 1/16 bore 2 inch stroke 1/8 FNPT spring return air cylinder (Qty 1)
- SBC-14N Bronze cone silencer 1/4 MNTP (Qty 2)
- MS14-14N Male straight 1/4 tub to 1/4 MNPT (Qty 3)
- BFRHP-14N recessed hex head plug 1/4 MNPT (Qty 1)
- PU14BLK100 Black poly urethane 1/4 OD tubing 100ft (varries)
- ME14-18N 1/4 tubing to 1/8 MNPT (Qty 1) OR if you want to control the flow of air into the pneumatic cylinder so it doesn’t move so abruptly then use FVR14-18N flow control valve meter IN for 1/4 tubing to 1/8 MNPT (Qty 1)
Along with the pneumatic items above, you’ll also need:
Some material to mount the pneumatic cylinder. I used 3/16 (4.76mm) thick x 1.5 inch (38.1mm) wide flat steel bar. The piece that connected the 5/8 bolt (15.875mm) to the pneumatic cylinder is 6.5 inches (165.1mm) long. The “spring” top piece is 4 inches (101.6mm) long. The 5/8 bolt was 10 inches long and it fit the clamp hole on the saw perfectly. I used 2 5/8 nuts to sandwich the 2 pieces of flat bar. I didn’t have a large enough drill bit to drill the 5/8 hole and cylinder hole properly. I ended up using an old step drill bit that was large enough to get us there. It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done. The last thing you’ll need is something to mount on the end of the pneumatic cylinder so you don’t damage your work piece when you clamp it. I used a small section of UHMW rod. You can find small lengths at McMaster-Carr (1 inch (25mm) rod a foot long for @ $3 at the time of this post) or you can use a rubber stopper or wood. You’ll also need to use one of the MS14-14N connectors and either plumb it to your air supply or mate it with a quick air hose disconnect.
