Butt joints, box joints and 45 degree miter joints are all very common joints when building cabinets, book cases, and shelving systems. The challenge is to assemble the panels in exact 90 degree angle. Even when all of the panels are cut at the right angle there is still a good chance that when assembled they will be out of square slightly.
The box clamp is a simple clamp that makes clamping of any corner joint a breeze. It can handle butt joints and 45 degree miter joints. The unique benefit is that the box clamp allows assembling 90 degree joints anywhere along the panel.
High quality box clamps are milled out of thick block of aluminum. The box clamp has a series of counter bored holes that allow for it to be mounted onto a workbench or jig. The box clamp can handle panels from 1/4 inch to 1 inch thick. With 3/4 inch deep channel provides a sturdy support for panels.
At one corner of the box clamp is a movable wedge that is used to clamp the panels in place for assembly. There is actually a pair of triangular wedges. The first wedge is adjusted to the width of the panel. The inside wedge can be loosed and will release the clamping pressure on the panel for quick and easy removal. Drop in the next two panels and tighten down the inner wedge. Makes repetitive assembly much more easier.
Using two box clamps makes it easier to keep the panels aligned while driving pocket hole screws into the panels. Mount one of the box clamps on the workbench or a jig. Place the panels into the clamp and clamp down. Take the other box clamp and at the other end of the panels clamp it in place.
