Wooden Kant Twist Project

There are three reasons I did this project:

1. In forum http://lumberjocks.com/replies/on/2096435/page/5 in reply #207 posted 105 days ago,
Lumberjoe mentioned Kant Twist clamps and it brought back memories to when I was just a
rookie out of college at my first job. Seeing my first Kant Twist and thinking that these would
be beautiful in my workshop until I saw the prices but Lumberjoe still managed to tweak my
interest.
2. If I had not found some decent dimensional drawing I probably would not have done this
project but I did find fully dimensioned assembly drawings online at:
http://lphscadd.wikispaces.com/file/view/Kant+Twist+Clamp+Assembly.pdf
3. I just wanted to see it these clamps could be useful when made out of common shop items so I
decided to make my version. The similarity between the actual Kant Twist and my version is
that the Braces A and B are cut to the dimensions on the part print from the source listed in item
#2. The differences came to play in what materials I had available and what tools I had to make
those parts.

Item Description Quantity Difference notes

Brace A 1/4" Baltic birch 2 1/8” steel, now 1/4” Baltic birch
Brace B 1/4" Baltic birch 2 1/8” steel, now 1/4” Baltic birch
Spacer A 5/16" Oak dowel 3 1/4” steel, now 5/16” oak dowel
Spacer B 5/16" Oak dowel 2 ¼" X20 Cap screw for grip and oak
Spacer C 5/16" Oak dowel 1 ¼" X20 Cap screw for grip and oad
Hinge A 3/8" Brass rod 1 5/8” diameter original
Hinge B 3/8" Brass rod 1 5/8” diameter original
Shaft 1/4" X 20 Threaded rod 1 5/16" x 16 original
Handle 2.5" X .75" Poplar 1 instead of cross bar
Socket head cap screw 10 X 32 Cap screw 1 used 4x40 cross head instead
Set screw 4 X 40 set screw 1 not part of the original

05/16/13 Wood Twist Project H.Sitte

Building:
I created a 3D model in Creo Elements/Direct Modeling Express 4.0 which then generated the part
prints for Brace A and B (the four arms of the Kant Twist) that were cut on a CNC. Below are the CAD
models designed from the measurement from the previously identified web source.

Complete Clamp, 3D CAD model One Side Removed 3D CAD model

Since I don't have a lathe so the 5/16" oak spacers were cut and stepped down on my drill press.
The brass Hinges, A and B, were made out of 3/8" brass rod made on the same drill press.
The grips are Baltic birch, were cut on my Craftsman table saw, and laminated to the correct thickness.
The shaft is 1/4" X 20 threaded rod (a left over from some other project).
The handle started as scrap 3/4" poplar.

Finishing:
Braces, 1/4" Baltic birch plywood were left natural received three coats of Deft high gloss lacquer.
Spacers, 5/16" oak dowels were dyed black and also have three coats lacquer.
Grippers are lamination's of Baltic birch left unfinished.
Handle dyed black and then sprayed with three coats of shellac.

Testing:
After finishing and assembly I obviously wanted to see how it worked. Since my old strain gauge
disappeared some time ago I resorted to a less than scientific test using a bathroom scale. I clamped the
scale and stopped cranking at 100 pounds as I did not want to inadvertently reach destructive testing.
Considering the components, and the fact that the entire assembly was just press fit, I was surprised
that 100 pounds could be reached that easily. Just for comparison a Bessey 2"x4" wood clamp, LM
2.904, also reached 100 pounds.

One unique characteristic of this type of clamp is that the clamping range versus the clamping distance
and inversely related. The larger the clamp opening the lower the clamping distance. As shown in the
table and figure below.

05/16/13 Wood Twist Project H.Sitte

 Jaw Opening Clamp reach distance
3-11/64" 1-7/8"
3” 1-1/2”
2” 1-13/16”
1” 2”
3/4” 2”
1/2” 2-1/4”
1/4” 2-1/4”
1/8” 2-1/4”

Opening versus Reach Fully Open

Almost closed Opened to 3” on a 123 block

Summary:
Making the wooden pieces, sanding, and applying the finish took just two evenings. However I spent
way too much time on the metal parts of this clamp as I do not have very many metal working tools.
Originally I wanted to use “off the shelf” metal cross dowels but I did not have the length I needed. I
did find some online but I decided that the one on the smaller jaw rod needed to be fabricated so I
might as well make both. I also spent a lot of time on the handle instead of looking for a replacement
vise screw with a cross bar or an inexpensive plastic handle. Actually, the only part I purchased for this
was 4 X 40 set screw for the handle.

In my opinion, this is a simple clamp to build and a viable shop clamp even when constructed with
Birch plywood. If I can locate the hardware items, for a reasonable price, I will make some more
because as every woodworker knows, you can never have too many clamps!

After finishing this project I discovered that I interpreted the drawing incorrectly. The small leg on
Brace A has a taper as opposed to the parallel sides. It is not apparent and I don't think it affects
performance, but still incorrect.

05/16/13 Wood Twist Project H.Sitte