Lumberjack Log Lock User manual

USER MANUAL
Log Lock
Easy Clamp Fixture
Lumberjack Tools Inc.
PO Box 730
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
www.lumberjacktools.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: [phone]
Rev: 05/16
MODELS:
Log Lock : LL1545

2
About Your Product
Thank you for purchasing our Log Lock clamping fixture!
Lumberjack engineers, along with our craftsmen, have designed the
safest,easiestto‐useclampingfixtureonthemarket.Bycombiningold‐
world skills with modern design and manufacturing techniques, we have
greatly reduced issues with log slippage while cutting tenons.
Once properly secured and set up, the Log Lock will hold logs and other
timbers in place with ease. The newly designed ladder feature and fast
release allows the top securing plate to be quickly adjusted to different
timber diameters. The fixture plates are laser cut from structural steel and
folded in a press brake to ensure proper clamping in every use.
Our lifetime guarantee covers the fixture body. The nuts, bolts, washers
and screw handle are covered for 90 days from the date of purchase for
breakage under normal working conditions. Side loading the fixture could
cause failure to occur in the bolts. Over tightening of the top plate may
bend the bolts or top plate as a result. This is valid only to the original
buyer, and not for the tools sold secondhand, used, or sold “as is” to a
second party.
What Voids Warranty
In order to keep our lifetime and 90 day warranty you must AVOID the
following actions:
●Side loading the fixture
●Over tightening the screw handle
●Altering or misusing the tool

3
SAFETY
Before beginning any project, carefully read and follow ALL safety and
operational instructions for any tools or devices you will be using. Failure to do
so may cause physical harm to yourself or those around you. If you feel
uncomfortable using power tools while using our clamp, STOP immediately.
Lumberjack Tools assumes no responsibility for injury caused to the operator,
bystander, or tools used in conjunction with the use or misuse of our Log Lock
fixture.
NEVER OPERATE POWER TOOLS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF
DRUGS, ALCOHOL OR ANY MEDICATIONS
WEAR SAFETY GLASSES, DUST MASK, AND OTHER PERSONAL
PROTECTION ITEMS AS REQUIRED
DO NOT WEAR LOOSE ITEMS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE CAUGHT
IN MOVING PARTS AND KEEP LONG HAIR AWAY FROM WORK AREA
KEEP ALL THREADED AND MOVING PARTS CLEAN OF DUST AND
DEBRIS
DO NOT PLACE ANY BODY PARTS INSIDE OF THE DEVICE WHILE
TIGHTENING
NEVER USE FIXTURE WHEN NOT BOLTED TO A STABLE, SECURE
SURFACE

Assembly Parts Included:
4
●1/2” Handle
●1/4” x 3-3/4” Bolt
●1/4” Nut
●1/4” Washer
(QTY:2)
●3/8” x 1” Bolt
(QTY:2)
●3/8” Washer
(QTY:2)
●3/8” Nut
(QTY:2)
Note: Images not to scale
Assembly Parts Not Included:
●Wood screws QTY:4 (#8 or larger)
- Used for mounting fixture to table/workbench
●1/2” x 6” Carriage Bolt
●1/2” Jam Nut
●1/2” Washer
(QTY:2)
●1/2” Spring
2A
2B
2C
2D
●Fixture Top
1A
●Fixture Bottom
1B
●Fixture Ladder
1C
4A
4C
4B
3A
3B
3A
5A

5
Fixture Assembly
11
2
Build your Log Lock from “the ground up”. DO NOT screw down
the fixture base until all parts are assembled.
●Secure the ladder to base
- Use the 3/8” bolts, nuts
& washers
●Secure the top to ladder
- Use the 1/4” bolt, nut &
washers
-DO NOT overtighten!
- Hand tight, then loosen nut
one full turn
Parts Needed:
●Fixture bottom
●Fixture ladder
●3/8” x 1” bolts
●3/8” nuts
●3/8” washers
Parts Needed:
●Fixture top
●1/4” x 3-¾” bolt
●1/4” nut
●1/4” washers
1B
1C
4A
4B
4C
1A
3A
3B
3C
4A
4C
1C
4B
1B
3A
3C
3B
1B

3
Assembly Cont.
●Slide the 1/2” x 6” bolt through the
slot in the bottom plate
- Slide a 1/2” washer down the bolt
followed by the spring and 1/2” nut
- Tighten the nut until it begins to
compress the spring
- DO NOT fully compress the spring
- Add the second washer and screw
handle to the top
6
Mount the fixture so that the stationary base is either flush with
the workbench or 1” behind the edge of the table.
●Use four screws or nuts &
bolts to secure the four
holes to the mounting
surface
(screws not included)
●Make sure the mounting
surface is flat and level
●Ensure the workbench is
firmly secured or stable
4
Base
Parts Needed:
●1/2” x 6” bolt
●1/2” jam nut
●1/2” washers
●Spring
●Screw handle
Parts Needed:
●Wood Screws not
Included
*Some parts hidden for clarity
2A
2B
2C
2D
5A
2A
2B
2C
2D
5A

During work if you notice the log start to wobble or looks like it may spin
loose your current actions.
●Make sure the fixture is tight on the log
●Reposition the log so that it is more stable
●Try readjusting the ladder to better fit the log
●Avoid clamping on knots and uneven points on log
7
Using the Log Lock
●Some logs will be
twisted and knotty
making them difficult to
secure
●Other timbers will be
straight and free of
knots making them easy
to secure
Ladder Settings
Correct (Minimum Capacity)
Correct (Maximum Capacity)
4.5”
1.5”
●4 ½” is the largest sized log
this clamp can handle
●Lock the top plate into the
highest section of the
ladder
●As the handle begins to
feel snug complete one full
turn
●1 ½” is the smallest
diameter that will fit
securely
●Lock the top plate into the
lowest section of the
ladder
●As the handle begins to
feel snug complete one full
turn

How to NOT use the Log Lock
●Never under any
circumstances have the top
plate positioned with the
handle end lower than the
ladder end
●The handle end of the clamp
plate should always be higher
than the ladder end of the
clamp plate
Proper Orientation
●It is VERY IMPORTANT
to always have the top
plate securely locked
into the ladder “rungs”
on both sides (front and
back)
●Never operate clamp
when top plate is not
located completely in
ladder “rungs”
Correct
Incorrect
8
Fully locked in
ladder “rung”
On edge of
ladder “rung”

●It is important to clamp logs so
there is enough log sticking out to
cut a tenon or perform another
task. The key is to not have too
much sticking out to where the log
and clamp are unstable, but also
not to have too little sticking out to
where a full cut cannot be made.
- 7”-10” is standard overhang
Clamping Pressure
Log Overhang
Ladder Rest
●Having the proper clamping pressure is very important when doing any
type of woodworking project. If the clamp is too tight, there is a risk of
damaging the clamp and the wood. If the clamp is too loose, the wood
will not be secure and will spin.
- When contact is first felt on the wood tighten the handle with one
full turn. If the log can still be spun by hand, continue tightening the handle
in half-turn increments until the wood is secured.
Handle Slide
Correct
Overhang
Incorrect
Overhang
●The handle slide allows for less
time to tighten and loosen in the
clamp.
●Simply slide the handle in the
slot without having to fully
unscrew the handle to lift the
top.
●The ladder rest allows you to set
the top back without having it fall
to the bottom.
●Leave the bolt locked into the
ladder and tilt the top back until it
comes to rest on the ladder rest.
Slide
Direction
9
7”-10”
>10”

10
Maintenance
It is best to always clean your Log Lock after each use. If you are unable to
maintenance your Log Lock after each use, it is best to clean the fixture on a
monthly basis to maintain regular, safe function.
Engineers and Quality Control staff at Lumberjack Tools have worked
towards providing you with one of the easiest to use and safest timber
clamping devices on the market. However, there is always the unexpected
chance of failure.
●Please contact our customer support for a replacement if a failure
ever occurs in the top plate, bottom plate, or ladder
What to look for while cleaning
●Check for build up in the V-shaped trough, ladder, and the nuts and
bolts. This includes:
- sap, splinters, dust & dirt
- Failure to clean could lead to a log spin during next use
●Inspect all of the nuts and bolts holding the three separate pieces
together.
- Is there thread damage visible?
- Do any of the bolts appear bent or deformed?
- Replace any damaged nut, bolt, or washer to prevent future injury
●Make sure that the screws securing the base to your workbench are
still holding properly.
- Remove any debris between the fixture and the workbench that you
have it secured to
- Is the workbench still level and stable?
- Replace any broken screws not properly securing the base
- Tighten any loose screws
Unexpected Occurrences

11
Troubleshooting
PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION
• Log/Timber
spins inside
clamp
• Clamp is not applying
enough pressure
• Tighten handle until log
is secured
• Top not oriented
properly over log
• Adjust top in ladder to
properly fit
• Re-orient the log if
needed
• Wobbling or
Vibrating log in
fixture
• Log sticking out too far
from clamp
• Position log with no
more than 7-10” of
overhang
• Fixture loose on base
• Workbench not stable
• Re-tighten screws
securing base
• Move fixture to more
stable workbench
• Thread damage
on carriage bolt
• Over-tightening the
fixture
• Replace the damaged
bolt and do not over
tighten
• ¼” bolt bent
• Over-tightening the
fixture
• Uneven clamping (knots,
etc)
• Replace the damaged
bolt and do not over
tighten
• Top not staying
locked into
ladder
• Top not oriented over
log properly
• Adjust top so that the
handle end is higher than
the ladder end
• Log orientation making it
difficult to secure
• Re-orient the log and
adjust the top as needed

Additional Tips
As with any new hobby or project, it will take time to master using our
Log Lock.
Before starting your first project, use some scrap material and practice
Clamping a variety of logs. Try cutting tenons, using a draw knife, and
cutting mortise holes to get a feel for how much clamping pressure is
needed.
Thank you again for purchasing our tools!
PO Box 730 • Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 • 715.720.4719 • www.lumberjacktools.com