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Biscuit shaped connector for RTA furniture

Patrick McCombe, contributor

5 users recommend

Joined with a metal cam (a plastic version is also available) the Clamex is made for joining and disassembling RTA funriture. Each side is secured in an 8mm biscuit slot with a pair of screws.

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Longtime woodworkers might be preparing my gallows for talking about ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture, but anyone who's sent their kids off to college knows the value of a desk or bookcase that can squeeze inside an already stuffed subcompact.

Lamello's Clamex biscuit-shaped connector allows for quick and easy assembly of RTA furniture. The fiberglass reinforced plastic connector fits inside an 8mm biscuit slot and the pieces are joined and separated with a torx-shaped hex wrench. If you don't a have a Lamello C3 biscuit joiner and their 8mm blade, the company says a pair of plunges from a typical biscuit joiner also works.   

Clamex is offered in two styles: one with a metal connecting lever and the other with a plastic lever. The company suggests the metal version for furniture that's likely to see more than a couple assembly/disassembly cycles. Just make sure to pack the torx wrench with your son or daughter's laundry bag, raman noodles, and other college essentials.

The plastic version (model S-11) is packaged in an 18-pair kit that inlcude the wrench, marking jig, and 75 mounting screws. It sells for about $50. The kit with the metal version (S-18) sells for $55. If you'd like more information, I'd suggest taking a look at the video posted on the Colonial Saw Web site where you can also place an order.

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Comments (3)

nashje61 writes: I'd use them in office furniture like for lawyers, physicians and salons. The obvious application of these fasteners would be for aligning Part A with Part B, but would not be for what I would call load bearing surfaces.

If the finished product is to be installed by end user, i.e. non-skilled workers, an allen wrench and at least one functioning eye, should be all one needs to put a system together.

I like the concept. Posted: 6:15 pm on August 25th

aafosse writes: I wonder if you could use these to connect bedrails to legs. Would it be strong enough? Perhaps someone needs to test the shear strength of these things. Posted: 2:34 am on August 25th

Beckum writes: Well maybe not the gallows, but I'm sure you'll get a few dirty looks along the way.

Might I suggest coming up with other practical uses for these little suckers then RTA furniture.

Like .... You could use them on a dinning room table that has leaves (extensions). ie... between the leaves and the table to lock them in place. I remember when I was about 8 or 9 we had a walnut table with leaves that was extended for a big dinner with lots of guests and food and then the adults decided to move the loaded table. As it was being moved it separated and nobody noticed. That is, until a heavy dish that had been placed at the hidden gap went through. Not only did it find the floor, but it dragged everything else with it. I remember the table had a locking system to keep it closed when the leaves were out of the table, but nothing when it was extended.

So I pose a challange to the other readers . . . .
What other uses can you come up with? Posted: 10:39 am on August 19th

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