Rod Clamp

Have you ever tried to tap some external threads on a rod and all the clamping force you have is just not enough? I had that same issue working on an upcoming video. I really didn’t feel like running to the store and spending money on a vice and soft jaws, and I have a 3D printer, some PETG, and a bunch of fasteners. So I CAD’ed up a quick solution and sent it to the printer. 

I created a 9 inch length clamp with a V notch that is held together by 10 M8 fasteners. I put some heat set threaded inserts into the sides and created a hanger that can be fastened to it with M5 screws in multiple places. This hangar has 5 quarter inch holes spaced one inch apart to match my fixture plate, or stick some adhesive back silicone onto the bottom and clamp it to the table. 

Shout out to McMaster- Carr for having downloadable CAD files!