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Strong Reliable and Inexpensive - Six-Dollar ($6)) clamps for the Fome Desktop Etching Press
Kudos to the many pioneers that have shared their experiences and difficulties in setting up and using their Fome Desktop printing presses. One difficulty many of these pioneers have experienced is the problem of clamping their presses to a worktable.
These six-dollar clamps perform well and are available at hardware, woodworking, and big-box hardware stores.
They are also available online from many sellers.
- I am not selling anything and do not get anything in return for the suggestions on this page.
- Most c-clamps will not work to secure the Fome Desktop Etching Presses to a desk or table - the c-clam heads are too tall to fit into the clamp slot on the Fome presses.
- Many have tried to use 'L' shaped "right-angle clamps with bolts and nuts to fasten the press to a board. That is understandable - people want to try out their new press as soon as possible! It is a solution but an awkward one and it probably costs more to execute simply using the strong, reliable, and inexpensive clamps. Also the board will likely need to be clamped to the table anyway.
- Clamps are available from Fome. However at this time, January 2022, they are very expensive and for many people they are not readily available. The Fome clamp appears to be identical to the strong, reliable, and inexpensive clamps we suggest here.
- Here is an Fome Desktop Etching Press securely clamped to a picnic style table using a pair of inexpensive clamps. I bought a pair of them for twelve dollars - six bucks each!
- You only need two clamps.
- This style of clamp is called a "Fence Clamp." Their usual purpose is to allow a woodworker to clamp various jigs to the "fence" of table saws and other woodworking tools. They are a clever tool for their usual purpose and an exellent tool for use on the Fome Desktop Etching Press.
- The clamp shown in the picture is sold by a company called Milescraft. I bought them from a big-box store for under twelve dollars.
- The Fome clamp has a groove ground into the upper arm of the clamp. It is intended aid in securely locating the press. I have not found it necessary but if I did I would simply file or grind a slot into the bottom side of that upper arm.
- I suggest mounting your press along the long side of your desk or table if possible. I have seen videos of people with their presses mounted on the short side which tends to tip the table.
- There should not be a need to jerk or yank on the press crank-arm in order to pull a print. I mention this only because I have seen videos of people doing that as they first learn to use the press.
- Good Luck and Happy Printing!