Here's a look at an innovative and hugely useful modelling tool - the Berna clamp.

Link to Item



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

100% is a big call Rowan. I got some of these in a second-hand kit I once purchased, but there is a slight problem with them in that they don't always clamp properly, they can twist offline and fall off. But they can be handy at times and I use them a fair bit.
But these have a large advantage in that you can build jigs out of them to hold bit exactly in position. I had never thought of this before and they could be ideal for building biplanes when you are attaching the upper wing....

Hi Warren

Thanks for your comments. As you can imagine, I don't hand out 100% scores willy nilly.

I've been a firm fan of Berna clamps since I bought my first one out of curiosity years ago.

As for them occasionally twisting off, I honestly haven't found that a problem any more than with other types of clamp; in fact, I find that being able to set the clamp with a little bit of a deliberate twist is really useful in applying a touch of force at an angle on an awkward joint, very much as you might do with your fingers.

I have to admit I've never tried connecting them together as a jig, although the maker's blurb does describe using them that way, and special connectors are available (which Shesto don't seem to stock). I didn't mention it in the review because I haven't had a chance to vouch for it from personal experience.

All the best

Rowan