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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: Mr.Mike on August 20, 2011, 11:53:06 am
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I bought 6 of these clamps the last time they were on sale. Will buy at least 6 more this week. Great clamps for the price.------MIKE
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-ratchet-bar-clamp-spreader-46807.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3311b&utm_source=1002
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Howdy Mike.... I also bought 4 of them clamps and they sure look pretty.
Have you use them yet? To me there is something not right about them.
When you squeeze the handle to clamp onto something mine will get tight to a point and the handle still cranks, but won/t get any tighter? Anyway they were cheap and I have others that work great. My opinion. Danny :+}
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I've had the same experience as Danny with the 12 inch clamps. OK for light work, but won't tighten up well. The longer, larger clamps work fine however.
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Yes Danny, I use them all the time. They're great for moderate pressure like attaching cuttings to backer. I build alot of sleighs at Christmas and I use them for assembly. I don't use them for panel glue ups or anything that requires alot of pressure, but for most of the projects that i make they work great. Too much pressure squeezes out too much glue and makes for a weak joint. You can never have too many clamps on hand-- different types for different applications.....MIKE
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Danny watch how much pressure you use I had done that to mine I kept squeezing the handle until I heard a loud pop and the handle broke apart and fell to the ground it did that with the 6 I had now if you just apply a slight pressure to them they may work great... As for me I have other clamps I will use somethings just aren't worth a penny.
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They are great! I have them from Wolfcraft, a German brand. the clamps are never cleaned up, always used somewhere. Nice and simple to handle.
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I had a pair of these, they will break as mentioned before, so now I'm down to one. You get what your pay for, those silly pads on the jaws were always slipping off too. Everything was plastic except for the bar. They don't have an emoticon for DISGUSTED!
Gabby
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all plastic? :o Sounds weak. Can you get pressure on these?
Wolfcraft Einhandzwinge Easy (http://www.wolfcraft.de/jcatalog_generated/de/products/product_groups/8948_product.html) mine - If I'm right around 12 Euro each (12" version). With steel rod.
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Very similar, what you call a rod, I called a bar to me a rod is round, a bar is flat.
Take a look at your cyclone message.
Gabby
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I've bought over a dozen over the last few years. I think I have about 4 left. They break very easily. For the last 2 yrs Lowe's carriers Irwin in 4 packs at Christmas and my wife gives me a pack each yr. None of them have broken.
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Same experience here. In fact last month @ our woodworking guild we were asked to bring in our worst tool. That was mine. All failed within a few weeks, and if dropped they snap off easily. As said, you get what you pay for. The name brands cost a lot more, but last and do the job well.
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I didn't have good luck with these either. I only got 2 to try and they just don't work for me. I got Craftsman clamps when they were on sale and have had real good luck with them (eventhough they are Craftsman).
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I think the weakest part is the grip lever, as long as you stop squeezing as soon as it stops moving you're ok. Good enough to hold something from slipping or glue up like a third hand, but if you nead REAL clamping pressure and squeeze hard the plastic lever isn't strong enough to take it. You need a REAL bar clamp for that. The ladies with less grip strength will probably love them since they aren't as likely to break them.
I had mine for quite a while and suspect the plastic deteriorated over time. Ozone or UV rays could be attacking the plastic.
My thoughts on the subject.
Gabby
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I think I bought 8 of those little guys about 2 yrs. ago and have 5 left...
I only use then as a 'spare hand' and not as real 'clamps'.
Handy and sure enough cheap.
BUT for the serious Clamping Duties I rely on my Christmas Sale Irwin's from Lowes!
~~~GB~~~