3D Prints: Mini Clamps

This one started with a very specific problem: I had a basket repair where a warp had broken, and I needed to hold it in place between the wefts while an adhesive repair set. Nothing in my clamp drawer was small enough to fit into that space without disturbing the surrounding weave, so I designed a tiny spring-clip clamp to do the job.

The photo that sums it up best: one of these clamps holding steady right between the wefts, doing exactly what it was built for.

Once I had a design that worked for that repair, I kept fine-tuning it, and it turned out to be useful well beyond baskets. I made the design resizable — different arm lengths and spring geometries let me dial in different clamping strengths, from barely-there to real bite, depending on what the material can handle. I also kept them lightweight, with no metal spring or added hardware, so there's no risk of a heavy clamp putting stress on a fragile edge. They're well suited for holding delicate material without extra support for the weight.

That combination — small footprint, adjustable strength, low weight — has made these useful anywhere I need steady pressure in a spot too small, too delicate, or too oddly shaped for standard clamps.

I've got a set of these listed in my shop if you'd rather just have some on hand, and I've also made the print files available for anyone who wants to print their own.