Izzy Swan - X-Clamp System

[DerbyDad03]

Comments?

[Leon]

Now that is funny. I guess pandering to the inexperienced. Did you notice him panting through the video? No, watch again, especially near the 9 minute mark.

This looks to be a solution to a problem that does not exist.

First off if it is designed to save space during storage it saves very little. I have 22 of these style clamps hanging separately in a 27" wide space. They are spaced about 1/2" apart and the bars on different levels fit between the clamping ends.

Second, clamp are heavy. Tie 4 together and add the components to hold them all evenly and you are talking some serious weight. Did I mention that he was panting?

Third. I have never needed clamps to be evenly spaced and quite often my clamps need to go in separately to fine tune where each goes. Gluing flat panels is not much of what I do.

Fourth. What if you only need one or two clamps. do you use the whole assembly again? Remember the panting?

Fifth. What problem does this solve?

Probably a fun project for him but not necessary or any kind of improvement IMHO.

I am familiar with Izzy but don't really recall him building things except for his channel. Where am I going with that? He still does not know how to glue up0 panels and not create a glue up mess.

Gluing 101. If you run a bead and not spread it evenly you never learn how much is too much or not enough. And not spreading it evenly is the number one reason for glue starvation.

If you spread it out evenly and it begins dripping off the edge you put on too much. In his example he probably put on twice as much glue as necessary. He had a real mess to clean up and unfortunately cleaning up the back side of the glue up with all of those extra bars added many more obstacles to maneuver around.

I always spread the glue to the entire surface and have learned to know how much is enough by doing so. When I clamp the joint I get an even hair line of squeeze out. Absolutely no globs or dripping.

[DerbyDad03]

Are you aware of Izzy's health problems? That could have something to do with it.

Well, then you are the targeted audience. ;-)

Now you're sounding like one of those infomercials where the actor fights with the tangled garden hose or whatever is the current version of whatever product the guy is selling. Making everything sound worse than it really is. ;-)

If you only need one or 2 clamps, you (he) grab one or two of the single clamps hanging on the wall next to the X-Clamp rack. I'm pretty sure that this device isn't meant to replace/bundle every clamp in the shop.

I only linked to the X-Clamp portion of his most recent video. Start at the beginning of the video for his words on where his channel and business is headed.

[DerbyDad03]

Obviously I meant to say *not* the targeted audience in my previous post. Whoops...big difference!

[Leon]

NO! I am/was not aware of any health issues. But I think carrying 4 clamps at a time is 4 times heavier.... ;~)

I meant to indicate that a majority of my gluing is for face frames and

90 degree joints.

LOL Right!

I have a bit of a short patience for video people that are only in it for the clicks. I almost always watch instructional video's to learn something. When the instructor and or person in the video does not demonstrate practical experience of doing something I sign off.

Not only picking on him but all of the video's with this technique of applying glue, down and dirty. It's just extra work if you don't do it right to start with. It literally takes less time to apply less glue and spread it, AND add more if needed, than to clean up that mess afterwards.

Stepping down off of my podium... ;~)

I heard most of what he was saying, he is OK, but I feel that he has nothing to offer me.

[Leon]

RORFL Wasn't it Gilda Radner on SNL that would respond,,,,,, Oh, that's different! Never mind!

None of us are perfect!

[DerbyDad03]

Back in 2019 - 2020 he had spine issues that put him in a wheelchair for a while. He went through a spell where he kind of hid it from his viewers but when it got to the point that he couldn't stand up for more than a few minutes at a time, he posted 3 videos about his condition:

"I've been hiding something from you"

"I've been hiding something - update."

"Surgery Was Successful! I CAN WALK!"

The surgery went well but his kidneys failed, he had blood toxicity, there was lots of confusion as to what his overall health was. e.g. "You have diabetes" Then 2 hours later, "No, you don't". Apparently stuff like that went on for few days.

I'm sure he's not 100% even now.

[krw]

I thought it was pretty neat but it is a problem that doesn't exist. A few boards with slots for the clamps would work just as well. Better, actually, because the clamps can be put where they're needed.

I've seen over-expensive versions of this idea but it wouldn't take long to build a couple of rails. Maybe with dogs to hold them up (or a board at a right angle.

There are also 4-sided panel glue-up clamps fit together something like this. I saw one that hung from the wall. Saves space.

Of course not. Get one with only two clamps. One for three. One for five...

He knows how to make clicks.