Awaiting my "first" kit - I AM GOING STIR CRAZY!

[Kevin in California]

Peter,
It is just cutting a slot for the bar...you can do this on a bandsaw, or even with a handsaw. You probably would be using 1/8" bar stock, maybe 3/16"...that is how wide your slot needs to be, and at least as deep as the bar is wide.

[Kevin in California]

Here are some clamps I made last fall

[dave d]

Good photo Kevin. Even better way of doing it. A slot rather than a mortise works just fine.

[peter havriluk]

Kevin and Dave, thanks for the explanations and the picture. Kevin, did you leave the slot for the steel strip unfilled at the back?

[Kevin in California]

Yep, actually on the bottom the bar is flush with the end, on the top I just left it open, there are two steel pins that the bar slides between and jams against.

[Herman]

That are real nice clamps Kevin.

[Rick Garrett]

Orison, I know how you feel,almost 2 weeks also. Just getting all the tools and supplies together .I can't wait for it to arrive.