Reply To: Cam Clamps
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From a physics point of view, the cork shouldn’t change the clamping force and, since it is the same size as the wooden face underneath, shouldn’t change the clamping pressure (although it could avoid “hot spots” by conforming to the work surface).
The hammer is different. You swing the hammer, which gives it some amount of momentum. The head hits the workpiece and, over some amount of time, comes to rest. For the hard headed hammer, it comes to rest in the blink of an eye. For the soft headed hammer, it comes to rest in two blinks of an eye. Coming to rest quickly corresponds to more force than coming to rest less quickly. I think you’d also find that the difference in how the force spreads out over time matters for loosening the wedge. Actually, it’s probably the wood vibrating that matters, too.
Sorry…more than you wanted, probably. There are geeks like me hiding everywhere, I guess. 🙂