Kosh - good looking out on the hardware find. I have seen something similar used in the machining world, Mite Bite I think. I hadn't thought to use something like that.
It may be a misunderstanding on my part, but I was thinking that a cam clamp was something different. I was refering to an eccentric type clamp. Basically a circle with an off-center hole. As its rotated it will squeeze the part more. I saw them somewhere, I forget where, and made a handful myself of them to try out.
I can see how the tapered/beveled in the front area would solve my problems. I may have to give them a rip. I did some google homework after I saw your link and found a Veritas product, sold by Lee Valley, called the bench blade.
Veritas® Bench Blade - Lee Valley Tools
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