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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Oct 3, 2007, at 6:43 PM, Clansgian AT wmconnect.com wrote:

> \Besides that heavy load (I had a rough 2x4, really 2"x4",. break  
> with 30  5"
> cast iron clamps on it), don't you have to lightly tighten the  
> clamps on the
> 2x4 to keep them in place?

The clamps need to be closed enough to grab; they lean some but grab  
enough to stay on the two-by-four.

Each piece of wood and its fasteners have strength limits. Old oak is  
my preference, but if placing it new, I drill to set nails or screws.  
Lumber yard stuff--typically Douglas Fir--is perhaps one-fourth as  
strong, good for studs on sixteen-inch centers but not much more.