Bessey KliKlamp CAUTION

[fletty]

Bessey KliKlamps have become my clamps of choice for many reasons, ALMOST one-handed operation, good feel of the clamping pressure, quickly adjustable etc BUT for any woodworker who works in a high UV environment ie EVERYONE IN AUSTRALIA these clamps have a significant flaw. The red plastic 'triggers' are NOT UV stabilised and, after only a few years, they break and always in exactly the same place.

258075


A further problem is that they invariably break when you are trying to remove them from a job and hence both you and the job are stuck! I emailed them a few years ago to ask for spare triggers that I was happy to fit myself, but they advised that they DO NOT SELL SPARE PARTS.
I have now lost 6 of my clamps (theres only 4 in the picture because today's and an earlier one were thrown out the shed window and I still can't find them!) and I think that is far too high a percentage of the 15 I have ... or had!
in conclusion, very good clamp, very poor design flaw!
fletty

[I_wanna_Shed]

Thanks for the heads up Fletty. I only have one of those clamps (works AWESOMELY with the Gifkins jig and the associated clamp holder), but have been planning to get more for the reasons you mention.

Are yours stored in sunlight? How much UV have they had?

Very poor form from Bessey not to supply spares. :((

Nathan.

[Mr Brush]

I use a few of these too - great for the Gifkins jig, and for holding work down to the bench when cutting dovetails manually.

Just to be extra-safe, I think I'll keep them inside the glue fridge from now on :D

There are a couple of cheaper copies of these clamps around now (e.g. Carbatec) - wonder if they suffer the same problem?

Cheers

[Charleville]

Just to be extra-safe, I think I'll keep them inside the glue fridge from now on :D



You drink glue? :doh:


Do you drink it straight or have it as a shandy? :U

[Cliff Rogers]

You drink glue? :doh:


Do you drink it straight or have it as a shandy? :U

Not drink. :no:
Inhalant abuse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inhalant_abuse)

[Mr Brush]

I'll have you know.....I've laid up a delightful little 2012 Titebond III (dry, with a hint of tannins), and am saving the 2011 Techniglue for a really special occasion :oo:

[fletty]

I use mine on the Gifkins jig as well AND when the trigger breaks they are VERY hard to get off because the nifty little clamp holder works so well!


Are yours stored in sunlight? How much UV have they had?

My shed is surrounded by trees and the clamps WERE stored on a rack near a north facing window. They would get no direct sun in the longer months and probably 2 to 3 hours per day in the shorter months. When I was preparing my case to Bessey, I put one of the broken trigger pieces out in the Sun, red side up, and the red area had reduced to grey/white in only 3 months.
I now have them well inside the shed which is away from any direct light BUT out of MY reach as well. :~
I do big glue ups outside and I am always conscious of getting the clamps off and back inside as soon as possible. A mate of mine is rebuilding a wooden boat (an excuse to spend hours afloat out of the house!) and he would have clamps out in daylight for weeks on end. He no-longer uses KliKlamps!

fletty

[arose62]

Sounds like you need to get an unbroken trigger to one of the CNC-heads on here, and they can start a nifty little aftermarket replacement part business, perhaps cutting replacement triggers out of metal?

Cheers,
Andrew

[fletty]

Sounds like you need to get an unbroken trigger to one of the CNC-heads on here, and they can start a nifty little aftermarket replacement part business, perhaps cutting replacement triggers out of metal?

Cheers,
Andrew

FANTASTIC idea! I'll get one out and photograph it against graph paper to see if its feasible. It appears to have a long 'tail' to act as a spring which might be a problem though?
It was suggested before that maybe I could make some from cast resin so I will look at that as well.

gentlemen ... start your engines .... the market SO FAR is .... 6!

fletty

[chambezio]

Hi Alan, Its a poor show on Bessy's behalf that they wouldn't help you out. Considering what the price here in Aus is to buy them. But then again they are German and wasn't one of them going to rule the world some time back?
Surely there will be some talented Forumite who can come to the rescue.
I wonder if they were worried you had a backyard business going in making replicas of the clamps.
Its very annoying when you buy "quality" and then you run into no after sales back up

My understanding of UV Rays is that you don't necessarily have to be exposed to the sun directly because its the light that carries the rays. So just exposing them to the natural light in the shed would be enough exposure to have a problem

[fletty]

Here is the villian of the piece photographed against 5mm graph paper. The cleverness of the design EXCLUDING THIS PIECE is that the components simply click together ... no fasteners at all!

258087

The picture shows the impact of (presumably) UV light AND how predictable it is that there would be failures at the narrow neck. The design would allow that section to be thickened and with a greater radius to reduce the stress concentration. I think the spring 'tail' might make it difficult to machine from metal although aluminiun could be a possibility?

fletty

PS, these 2 pieces are from different clamps and therefore show how consistent, and therfore predictable, the failures are!

[wheelinround]

Fletty, Ken whom you have met works for All Type Plastics (http://www.alltypeplastics.com.au/) Victoria Rd Smithfield off Smithfield Rd next door to Mitre 10. Tooling up costs heaps but the boss maybe able to do a small run if viable.

[Charleville]

Not drink. :no:
Inhalant abuse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inhalant_abuse)



Ah yes - I understand. I suppose that the fridge would keep it fresh. :U

[hiroller]

This might help:
SPF50+ Sunscreens - Cancer Council Victoria (http://www.cancervic.org.au/store/enlargement.asp?ContainerId=spf-50-plus-sunscreen&variation-images=/images/shop/catalogues/specials/10071_265x265.jpg)

[Cliff Rogers]

Absolutely... When I go into our local hardware (Mum & Dad job) & the lady of the house is all rugged up with a beany on & I ask why she doesn't get some of the heaters out (they sell them too) as demo models she say she would but the cold weather helps the shelf life of the glue so the workers have to just live with it.

[wheelinround]

Ok had time to consider your options.

1 Stop buying cheap rubbish and go buy cheaper rubbish :;

2 a good quality plastic chopping board purchase and cut them out on a scroll saw.

3 Post a link in the CNC section but instead of Alli maybe a plastic

4 A couple of forumites also have strayed into 3d Printers (http://www.rapid3d.com.au/)(snowyskiesau/Geoff)

[Chris Drysdale]

I at this stage only have one Bessy clamp and in future will be only buying theses for small to medium jobs.
regards
Chris

[robyn2839]

just as a thumbs up. these clamps are sold at masters for $28 a lot cheaper than elsewhere.$48 some places....bob

[Mr Brush]

Bob - are Masters selling the genuine Besseys, or the very similar Bressey KrickKramp (China)?? If its the real thing I'll have to go on an expedition to my nearest Masters.

Cheers

[Trav]

Masters definitely sell real besseys. They have the k body in 3 sizes and the klick clamps too. Not sure what sizes. I've never used one, but having read this thread, and working in a basement under artificial light most of the time, I might get one (or two, or three...)

Trav

[aldav]

Where are Bessey clamps made these days? I doubt it's anywhere other than China! The Chinese manufacture is acknowledged on everything of theirs that comes in packaging, but not on the stuff that is unpackaged, hmmm.
Just my two cents worth.

[O2zi3]

Building a clamp collection at the mo......had a look at these Klikclamps today in the shop. To be honest i wasn't that impressed...seemed a little light weight (mainly in terms of the feel and the materials in the construction) and they were still $40 something for the 160mm. Walked out with their rapid action clamp instead...it was double the price but I'm convinced it will last at least twice as long and be at least twice as strong (force wise)..... i gave up on buying cheap clamps as they always give me stress (not that i would call the Klikclamps cheap or poor quality but i want to buy it once)

[Oldneweng]

I use the heavy duty Irwin clamps myself. Different design I know but they are the strongest rated clamp I have found. The new ones are even better than mine. I have had one open and inside they are serious gear. No known issues with breakages etc. Pricey but!

What has happened regarding the replacement of triggers via forum members. I have just stumbled upon this thread. Usually only have time for metalwork forum as that is what I am working on currently although I do have a table saw still in its box waiting for a shed cleanup and major rearrangement etc.

Anyway, my take on this trigger is that it could be cast from aluminiun and a flat steel spring fitted at the back. This could be done during the casting provided the temper was not lost, or maybe another bit of steel cast in to attach the spring to after. A bit of action happenning on the Foundry forum lately. As has been mentioned anyone with a cnc mill could machine something.

I hate having to throw away good tools for want of a spare part. Reminds me of a comment I read on the metalwork forum regarding spare parts for a measuring tool. The manufacturer said they don't have spare parts, you will need to buy a new one:D. Not sure of the price but many hundreds.

Dean

[fletty]

.....
Anyway, my take on this trigger is that it could be cast from aluminiun and a flat steel spring fitted at the back. This could be done during the casting provided the temper was not lost, or maybe another bit of steel cast in to attach the spring to after. A bit of action happenning on the Foundry forum lately. As has been mentioned anyone with a cnc mill could machine something.



Hi Dean,

I haven't given up (yet?) and I am looking at buying a resin casting kit and casting a new trigger with one half of a wishbone leafspring moulded into the trigger and the other half free.
however it is still SO frustrating that Bessey probably pays a fraction of a cent each and I'm going to buy a casting kit for $50 to cast a half dozen so that I can keep THEIR clamps in use.
Unfortunately, at this stage, resin casting is job number 73 ahead of me:C,

fletty

Alan

[Oldneweng]

Hi Dean,

I haven't given up (yet?) and I am looking at buying a resin casting kit and casting a new trigger with one half of a wishbone leafspring moulded into the trigger and the other half free.
however it is still SO frustrating that Bessey probably pays a fraction of a cent each and I'm going to buy a casting kit for $50 to cast a half dozen so that I can keep THEIR clamps in use.
Unfortunately, at this stage, resin casting is job number 73 ahead of me:C,

fletty

Alan

Saw some in Masters, Mt gambier today and saw what the issue was. I also bought 2 more, longer Irwin trigger clamps while I was there, plus shed loads of other stuff.

I also saw a "Dawn" branded clamp the same style as the Bessey Kliklamp. The release trigger was metal with a plastic bit over it for your finger. This was at a local industrial supply store.

Dean

[fletty]

Thanks Dean,
I googled the Dawn clamp this morning and it looks a beauty! My 'local distributor" (according to the web page) doesn't carry any stock but, if he had, i would have bought some today!

fletty

[Sawdust Maker]

Seems to me that these clamps have an inherent design flaw. Having 6 fail in exactly the same manner is indicative of the problem.
and as such may not be of merchantable quality - tricky argument as they work well at time of purchase but have longevity issues.
There is an implied condition in all consumer contracts that there will be a reasonable supply of spare parts and/or service facilities - the claim is for damages
I think it is a bit poor of Bessey not to be able to supply a part
we are talking about a clamp which costs between $29 and $32 each from Carba-Tec

So Fletty is down $174 and $192, ouch
Fletty did you contact Bessey Aus or Bessey overseas?

BTW I've a few of these clamps and like them but now will have the nagging feeling in the back of my mind "will they fail this time?" and I clamp up outside

[chambezio]

Hi Fletty, here is a thought...what about getting Brett (Fence Furniture) "The Blood Hound" on your case and start a petition that circulates world wide, to have a go at Bessey to remedy the situation. I am told his tenacity works

[wolften]

Hi Fletty, here is a thought...what about getting Brett (Fence Furniture) "The Blood Hound" on your case and start a petition that circulates world wide, to have a go at Bessey to remedy the situation. I am told his tenacity works

...I'll second that... all in favor...AYE:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[FenceFurniture]

Or.......not......:q

Betcha things precious to you that they are made in China. The new(ish) Bessey Toggle Clamps are a miracle of German Engineering but the fact that they are made in the big C shows.

[wolften]

..well..stuff me mushrooms, absolutely nearly everything is made in the big C.
Why I even think they have made another Earth v1.1 somewhere.

[fletty]

So Fletty is down $174 and $192, ouch
Fletty did you contact Bessey Aus or Bessey overseas?


Hi Nick,
I emailed Bessey Germany with the pictures and told them that...

I liked their clamps,
that there was a design issue and/or a need for UV stabilised plastic and...
if they would post me a few new triggers I would happily fit them myself

The reply was that they don't sell spare parts!

There have been a lot of replies on this forum and I think we can safely say that there a lot of Bessey clamps still on the shelf because there is no point paying a premium price for substandard products?

fletty

[Sawdust Maker]

Fletty

Is it worth contacting the Aus importer with the same info
suggesting you expected them to last longer then they did (how old are they anyway?)
and pointing out your statutory rights

and see what happens

[rat52]

i have had the carbetec version with metal triggers for several yrs with no problems.
i also have 4 of the bessy clamps that have the reversable switch so they push. the switches all failed/cracked within 6 months. i have now super glued the switches which seems to be holding but I don't put much pressure on them now. based on this experience I won't be buying any more expensive bessy clamps.

[sleepy1963]

[QUOTE=fletty;1623496]Here is the villian of the piece photographed against 5mm graph paper. The cleverness of the design EXCLUDING THIS PIECE is that the components simply click together ... no fasteners at all!

258087

The picture shows the impact of (presumably) UV light AND how predictable it is that there would be failures at the narrow neck. The design would allow that section to be thickened and with a greater radius to reduce the stress concentration. I think the spring 'tail' might make it difficult to machine from metal although aluminiun could be a possibility?
These could be cut out of aluminium plate which would be much stronger than any casting and could be sourced from a shipyard or anywhere that uses thick aluminium plate. It could be cut out using a bandsaw and a file. Small pieces of aluminium the size of the handle get thrown out as scrap so it shouldnt be to expensive scap price was only $3 at its peak. Marine grade aluminium is quite strong as well and easily cut on a bandsaw or with a jigsaw, power saw etc maybe just use some lube kero or something to stop the blade picking up.

[Xanthorrhoeas]

I only have two of these with my Gifkins and have had them where the light can get to them. I'll hide them away now. They feel rather too springy for my like, but having lost my set of clamps in the 2011 flood I had considered buying more. I won't do that now. I had quite a few Bessey standard clamps too but they did not seem to survive the flood mud as well as many others so perhaps the brand is over-rated. My old Dawn clams cleaned up well!

[fletty]

Evanism has started another thread (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=184352) about using 3D printing to make machine specific dust collection components. This mind blowing technology seems well suited to also solving my KliKlamp trigger problem. For any of you with the same problem or not buying Bessey Kliklamps because of this problem, keep watching this space for progress.
The easy answer would still be for Bessey to send a handful of triggers BUT, as that isn't going to happen, we are planning on making an improved trigger to be available to all,
fletty

[I_wanna_Shed]

Evanism has started another thread (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=184352) about using 3D printing to make machine specific dust collection components. This mind blowing technology seems well suited to also solving my KliKlamp trigger problem. For any of you with the same problem or not buying Bessey Kliklamps because of this problem, keep watching this space for progress.
The easy is answer would still be for Bessey to send a handful of triggers BUT, as that isn't going to happen, we are planning on making an improved trigger to be available to all,
fletty

Good on ya Fletty - this will be very interesting to watch.

Although, it's a sign of how many companies do not see new rising competition. 3D printing is perhaps the biggest breakthrough in manufacturing in many, many years. Companies really need to acknowledge this competition. Fletty may have come across an enterprise here - all because Bessy couldn't be bothered sending out some bits of plastic worth less than what it would cost to mail them.

Sure, it's 'only a part' that won't make an impact on Bessey's bottom line through the lost sale of it, but what about when 3D printing is advanced enough to print out all components for an actual clamp? It WILL happen!

[Evanism]

Well, that escalated quickly. :)

Yes, 3D printing, home laser kits and CNC are huge. The 3D thing-verse where you can down load a replacement cog for your broken washing machine will make parts distribution obsolete.

Printing can be done in ABS plastic in a range of colours, a number of metals including titanium and even in glass.

You just need the model.

The reason I'm into it is I'm an IT nut and been using 3DStudio forever as part of my job and printing the things has always been a desire. It has exploded in availability as the patents expired recently.

My son is a nutter for games and 3D work too and I'm trying to get him to see the light with selling his/my time in making one off designs and selling either the design to print-at-home or do it for others.

I believe that a large postal or courier company in the USA is now offering printing as a service, identical to a photo printing service. Expect to see it at office works any time soon....

Yes, the tech is absolutely perfect for this. I've offered to make prototypes for fletty. If we crack it I will "open source" it and give the improved design away for other on the forum to use/improve/print.

Keep in mind this isn't like printing a web page on your bubblejet. It takes considerable effort, time and skill to make the design work.... But the tech is getting better. One wouldn't make an entire clamp, it isn't economical - but for parts, prototypes, replacements, one off use objects, household items it is perfect.

The ABS is the same quality and strength as injection moulded objects: Lego, cogs on electric motors, low torque electric gearboxes, bearings, window latches, car parts, kitchen utensils, springs, remote control covers that break :)

[Evanism]

Sorry for the rant. Perhaps if youre vaguely interested, check: http://www.thingiverse.com/

[Redbog]

Sorry for the rant. Perhaps if youre vaguely interested, check: http://www.thingiverse.com/

Fletty,

How is your hand coming along mate? Good I hope?

Cheers, Redbog (Harry)

[fletty]

Just thinking.....
maybe I should get Evanism to have a go at a new finger for me..........?
:B fletty

[Sawdust Maker]

I still think there is a consumer remedy available for this

"have spare parts and repair facilities available for a reasonable time after purchase unless you were told otherwise."

now I gather these were bought some time ago but the exact same item is still being sold
Trouble is there dowsn't seem to be a Bessey Australia

[Evanism]

Just thinking.....
maybe I should get Evanism to have a go at a new finger for me..........?
:B fletty

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-21/rare-cancer-sufferer-receives-3d-printed-heel/5830432

It will change the world. Manufacturers, here be warned!

[fletty]

It will change the world. Manufacturers, here be warned!

Earlier this year I was having radiation therapy for a runaway bcc that became a tumour in my nose bone. As an engineer, and fascinated by the process, I asked if there was a Plan B. I was further fascinated when I was told that Plan B was the surgical removal of the bone, 3D scanning IN THE SURGERY, 3D printing of a replacement, insertion of the replacement ......all in the same procedure!
The future is already here!

fletty

[aldav]

Have you progressed any further with this Fletty? I suspect that these are made in China for Bessey by Xian Wellwork Industrial Co. Ltd.
Any forum members thinking of buying this type of clamp would be well advised to purchase the Carbatec or Gasweld version both of which are made by Ehoma in Taiwan. A better product at a similar price and available in 3 sizes from Gasweld. http://www.gasweld.com.au/quick-gear-clamp-300mm

[fletty]

Have you progressed any further with this Fletty? I suspect that these are made in China for Bessey by Xian Wellwork Industrial Co. Ltd.
Any forum members thinking of buying this type of clamp would be well advised to purchase the Carbatec or Gasweld version both of which are made by Ehoma in Taiwan. A better product at a similar price and available in 3 sizes from Gasweld. http://www.gasweld.com.au/quick-gear-clamp-300mm

Strange you should ask! Yep, modelling has just started which is just as well because I now need 7!
It still annoys me though that Bessey probably receive them by the sack full at 0.0764Dm each and 7 of them in a postpak to Oz would cost virtually nothing and result in a very happy chappy here?

fletty

[Bob38S]

Been wondering about this as well as I have 4 of these.

Since the original post I have continued to use them but in the back of my mind has been "this time......." , fortunately not yet but its not something I'm thrilled about as I know Murphy and his mate the FU fairy are hiding in my shed along with a multitude of disappeared pencils.

[aldav]

Strange you should ask! Yep, modelling has just started which is just as well because I now need 7!
It still annoys me though that Bessey probably receive them by the sack full at 0.0764Dm each and 7 of them in a postpak to Oz would cost virtually nothing and result in a very happy chappy here?

fletty

7 in pretty quick succession. Well at least you can't complain about a lack of consistency! :D I certainly agree with your comments about the lack of after sales support. Will be interested to follow this through to a (successful :2tsup:) conclusion.

[Evanism]

Fletty, shall we let the cat out of the bag ;)

[rob streeper]

I think you're right on the UV issue. I have one of these things and it's kept in the dark when not in use. 6 years old and no problems.

[Bob38S]

Fletty, shall we let the cat out of the bag ;)

Aren't cats usually in a bag because you are taking them for a swim and you don't want them catching cold? :B

[aldav]

Fletty, shall we let the cat out of the bag ;)

Do I sense the establishment of a little business here?

[fletty]

Fletty, shall we let the cat out of the bag ;)


Yes!

[Evanism]

Ok you scallywags, listen up.

Fletty contacted me a little time back with a sample. My son is a 3D nutter... So am I, but the student has surpassed the master....

We are developing a direct replacement for the snappy crappy kliklamp toggles in ABS plastic. A few reinforcements and added meatiness to avoid future trauma.

The ABS has significant properties that make it a particularly desirable replacement.... Stiffness yet flexy, terrific abrasion resistance, smooth surfacing, UV stability :rolleyes: and funky colour-printingness.

Fletty is calling by on his trip to sunny Canberra to nail down some of the strategies, but it doesn't really take a lot of imagination.... Find those in pain and sell an analgesic. :U

There are a few other things in development too. Things the everyday woodworker would love, but don't acquire due to cost.... Exciting!

[Bob38S]

Now there's a bit of ingenuity for you.

Well done to all concerned. :2tsup:

[fletty]

I’m not saying anything ...... other than this forum is a WONDERFUL place...

442605

fletty

[Bob38S]

Mine haven’t broken (yet) but it is something that comes to mind each time they are used.

They have been stored in a closed drawer or on a hook on the clamp cart and covered. My triggers are still not discoloured which I suspect is the main problem.

[woodPixel]

That 3D printer purchase is looking more and more like a thing I need to finalise..... :D:D:D

[Sawdust Maker]

bit rough when you have to get spare parts fabricated yourself when the importer/manufacturer doesn't live up to their statutory obligations

[djeddy]

Manufacturers/retailers are required to honour a minimum statutory warranty on their goods; many offer a longer warranty for competitive reasons. They are not required to sell spare parts, nor are they even obligated to offer repair services (but if they do offer those services, there are requirements around them). They can if they wish copyright their parts designs to prevent exactly the sort of activities being discussed in this thread but most don't bother unless the duplicate is offered in competition.

[arose62]

That 3D printer purchase is looking more and more like a thing I need to finalise..... :D:D:D

C'mon WoodPixel,
that's at least 2 threads off the top of my head where you've said that 😁
Just do it! You can make replacement Triton parts, painters' pyramids, custom clips and mounts, dust hose adapters, gauges, Aldi trolley releases, jigs...

You know you need one, so I hereby give you the permission you are seeking!

BTW, they are pretty quiet, fascinating to watch (at least initially), and don't make much mess, so they can live inside.

[fletty]

Thanks dj’,
The plan, should it work out, is to produce a modified design (removal of the stress concentration point where all manufacturer’s examples have so far broken), to use a different UV stabilised material and to produce them in a different colour. I’ve kept the manufacturers advice that they will not supply spare parts and my advice to them that I will make a replacement as the clamp in its entirety is no longer fit for purpose. I haven’t yet confirmed a 3D printer but the plan is to ‘print’ in batches of 10 to get a reasonable quantity discount and then sell privately on the basis that “all sales are for replacement of broken original items”. I haven’t yet worked out what I’ll do when the ‘World’ realises that these are a superior product :B?

[crowie]

Yes Alan, I want to see the 3D printer job please... they are fascinating machines... Cheers, Peter

[woodPixel]

C'mon WoodPixel,
that's at least 2 threads off the top of my head where you've said that 
Just do it! You can make replacement Triton parts, painters' pyramids, custom clips and mounts, dust hose adapters, gauges, Aldi trolley releases, jigs...

You know you need one, so I hereby give you the permission you are seeking!

BTW, they are pretty quiet, fascinating to watch (at least initially), and don't make much mess, so they can live inside.

Two? I thought it more like five :D:rolleyes:

Its absolutely on. Today, with the morning coffee I talked with SWMBO and Factory Slave (a.k.a "Son") about it all. About taking the biz up a notch or eight.

The printer is now... I'm sure you'd be pleased... On The Books.

Factory Slave is a graduate of AIE (Academy Interactive Entertainment) and is a 3D animation guru, so this is pretty close to what he wants to do (other than sleep in, drink all my grog and eat all the food). He absolutely does not want to work as a grunt, so is keen to work within my biz. Excellent :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Fletty did call past once, as did CParks, and discuss a good many things with me. The gears have ground slowly, but it look like "a thing" now....

So, Id imagine its just a matter of getting a list of things people might want together and testing that out.... I'll start another thread :)

[Sawdust Maker]

Manufacturers/retailers are required to honour a minimum statutory warranty on their goods; many offer a longer warranty for competitive reasons. They are not required to sell spare parts, nor are they even obligated to offer repair services (but if they do offer those services, there are requirements around them). They can if they wish copyright their parts designs to prevent exactly the sort of activities being discussed in this thread but most don't bother unless the duplicate is offered in competition.

Sorry I'll have to disagree

copy and paste from the ACCC website:

"Manufacturers and importers guarantee that their goods:


are of acceptable quality
have been accurately described
satisfy any manufacturer’s express warranty
have spare parts and repair facilities reasonably available for a reasonable period of time, unless the consumer is advised otherwise."


and given these clamps are still being sold in Australia. I'd suggest that the reasonable period of time has not elapsed
and I also have a few of these clamps and I've never been informed that I can't get spare parts

wabsite address:
https://www.accc.gov.au/business/treating-customers-fairly/consumers-rights-obligations

[Chris Parks]

I must admit to having been thinking more and more about a 3D printer. I hapen to know where there is a fairly upmarket printer sitting and doing nothing because it needs a few repairs, mmmmm, tempting. WP and I did discuss the possibilities a few years ago, we envisaged being able to print files sent from elsewhere as part of a project I was then involved in but has been mothballed since for a whole lot of reasons.

[djeddy]

Sorry I'll have to disagree

copy and paste from the ACCC website:

"Manufacturers and importers guarantee that their goods:


are of acceptable quality
have been accurately described
satisfy any manufacturer’s express warranty
have spare parts and repair facilities reasonably available for a reasonable period of time, unless the consumer is advised otherwise."


and given these clamps are still being sold in Australia. I'd suggest that the reasonable period of time has not elapsed
and I also have a few of these clamps and I've never been informed that I can't get spare parts

wabsite address:
https://www.accc.gov.au/business/treating-customers-fairly/consumers-rights-obligations

I'm afraid it's not that simple, since otherwise companies like Ozito or GMC could not do business in Australia (for very long). They maintain a replace-in-whole policy and carry no spare parts or repair facilities, yet they can (and do) trade and did/have done so for some time. Of course I don't know why GMC disappeared, it might have been in response to ACCC pursuit but I thought it was just good old trade conditions. Does anyone know for sure?

[Lappa]

Hmmm I bought a spare reversing switch for my Ozito hammer drill from Ozito via Bunnings. I actually rang Ozito to see if they had spares in stock and they said YES..

[woodPixel]

Geez, everyone is narky on the forum tonight. Must be the full moon. :)

Just to add to the lunacy, I received a notice today directly from Prusa himself releasing a NEW resin printer: https://www.prusaprinters.org/introducing-original-prusa-sl1-open-source-sla-3d-printer-by-josef-prusa/

This is pretty whiz bang, it can print accurately to 0.01mm

You read that right... 0.01mm

Nice!

[woodPixel]

This service prints metals and high strength plastics: https://www.shapeways.com/

[fletty]

The Kingdom fights back! Needed by members of the forum, programmed by another and now, printed by another.....

450426

Many thanks to Josh, Chris and Drew. My role in this is to try VERY HARD to break this prototype and to wait impatiently for the 6 I have ordered?

[qwertyu]

Wow good job. Interested to know what material, infil pattern and % was used.

Is the stl freely available? I dont have this clamp but would be good to have it on file if I ever get the clamp.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

[aldav]

I think that the secret to using these successfully is to pull the handle to release the pressure on the ratchet mechanism BEFORE you pull the trigger to disengage the clamp. Nice job on the part printing, Chris and Drew did the printing?

[Chris Parks]

Guilty as charged your Honour! I provided the CC, Drew supplied the IT expertise.

[woodPixel]

Are you going to open source it?

We (as in my little biz) are getting things printed far far FAR cheaper than we ever could do ourselves commercially here: https://www.facebook.com/VardonIndustries3dPrint/

I met these guys at the 2019 CanCon (a nerds convention) and they offered every form of printing you could imagine. ALSO, their prices were incredibly cheap. One paid only a per-hour fee plus some sort of trivial volumetric charge for the gooze.

Given the new UV extruders can print up a dozen of these at one single print, it might be worth having them make a few up and sell them :)

If you are interested in self-printing, the offerings available are absolutely astonishing in both price and quality. My old one just needs to be HEAVED OUT and REPLACED! ..... e.g. https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/17-3d-printers and even more incredibly the AnyCubic Photon (http://www.anycubic3d.com/products/show/1359.html) and even much more incredibly the https://all3dp.com/formlabs-form-2-review-price-sla-3d-printer/

[fletty]

450440

6 white triggers delivered by hand an hour ago!
Now, where is that 6 th clamp that I threw out the shed window into the long grass when its trigger broke?
Thanks Drew and Chris