How to Make Your Own Hold Down Clamp

Place a 3/4-inch plywood piece on a level surface. Apply 5 Minute Epoxy to the surface of the plywood. Place a 1/2-inch plywood piece on top of the 3/4-inch piece. Place a weight on top of the two pieces and let the epoxy dry.

Using a jigsaw, cut the attached plywood pieces into a semi-oval shape similar to a door handle. The glued plywood piece is the clamp.

Use a power drill and 3/8-inch drill bit to drill a 3/8-inch slot, 3 inches deep, into the top center of the clamp. The thumbscrew will be placed in the slot.

Cut one 3/4-inch wood dowel to a length of 1 1/2 inches. This is the base. Cut the other 3/4-inch wood dowel to a length of 1/2 inch. This is the cam. Drill a 1/4-inch hole through the ends of the base, using a 1/4-inch drill bit. Drill a 1/4-inch hole through the ends of the cam. The holes in the base and cam should be offset, which means they should not be in the same place.

Insert the 1/4-inch bolt through the holes in the base and cam. Glue the end of the bolt to the end of the cam.

To make the lever, cut the phenolic board to a length of 2 inches and a width of 1/2 inch. Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the phenolic, using a 1/4-inch drill bit. Insert the lever through the bolt and on top of the base. Glue the lever onto the base.

Place the end of the bolt through the slot in the clamp. Place a washer over the bolt and on the top portion of the clamp. Place the thumbscrew on the end of the bolt. Tighten the thumbscrew until it is level with the top of the clamp.

Insert the cam into the clamp hole in your work surface. Turn the lever until the cam locks into place. You have now made your own hold down clamp.