New Side Clamps
 

I haven't been happy with my side clamps. The first one's I ordered wouldn't hold butter. The new ones have great grip but the handels do not allow smooth motion to the ends. For some reason because all I have is a mid arm I never thought to check out ideas on long arm sites/blogs. What I ended up doing was buying 4 metal braces 12.5" x 1/4. One on top one on the bottom both ends than clamped toward the ends, it works easy to get to the side of the quilt without interference. The other suggestion from a long arm blod was raising the clamps by inserting a curtain rod or yard stick under the bungee cords resting them on the front and back rail.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]557792[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]557790[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]557791[/ATTACH]

:thumbup:Looks like you can bounce a quarter on it now.

I use Red-E-Edge, the companion product to Red Snappers, which I also use. They're easy to attach and do a great job for me.

I use the curtain rod idea as well. To avoid hitting my clamps (when my backing is skimpy) I clamp to a piece of webbing & pin the webbing to my quilt using a straight pin. My webbing is about 2.5 wide by 5 inches long. Just thought to buy new clamps, another DUH moment.

Ii like the curtain rod tip. I use Red e clamps and even they get hung up on my table extender when I'm doing template quilting. P.I.A. Think the curtain rods will solve the problem. Thanks!!

I also use the curtain rods. Will look around the house to see how to 'create' longer side clamps. I would like to have the clamps glued to the long strip. Maybe attach some sandpaper for a good grip to the bottom piece to hold fabric.
Thank you for the photo.

Instead of curtain rod I use lathe... a bit thicker, so no sag and probably a little longer, never really measured..Sanded so no slivers......have had them for over 15 yrs now......wow! that's a long time!

but I do use 2 curtain rods screwed to a cookie sheet that sets across the two top rollers.....holds my tools as I work....and two pieces of pvc pipe....cause table is 14 ft...had to use a joiner...that I have large shoelace on each side attached to backing rod, I roll the batting onto that so its not dragging on the floor if it a biggie....when not in use, pvc just lays on floor under L/A