Frontline Panel Clamps

[rod1949]

Has anyone had any dealings/issues with Frontline Engineering the supplier of Frontline Panel Clamps?

[woodPixel]

I have eight. The 1220's and the 920's.

Love them, love them, love them.

Send Con Anton an email on [email protected]

They are super dooper fantastic at doing big panel clamp ups. I know people can make their own and they are pretty good too (Ilya made some that are impressive) but I just love the way that the Frontlines can merciless apply pressure to all sides and ensure a 100% perfect glue up every time.

One thing I do do, however, is make up a few MDF strips to put at the ends. This stops the timber from being crushed if my winding up gets too enthusiastic.

They have made a dozen table tops, multiple chests tops and sides, many panels for kitchen tops and quite a few breadboards.

They work very well for small projects too... but they do need a minimum thickness of ~10mm. When the panels are smaller, such as when I do box lids (yep, I use the frontlines), I just make an "undersheet" of MDF and cover it with greaseproof paper. The width of the undersheet is ~20mm narrower to allow the clamps to do their thing.

They have all paid for themselves. I started with two 920's, then acquired two 1220's, then a second set of both on a third transaction.

[cava]

If you get through to Con, let us know. He has not responded to any of my emails about his bandsaw guide.

I also have the 1220 mm clamps, but have not had a project to use them on. :?

[rod1949]

If you get through to Con, let us know. He has not responded to any of my emails about his bandsaw guide

Yes cava that the problem I'm having too with no response to emails. And being on the other side of the country makes it difficult.

I recently brought 3 clamps, paid the money and then all went quiet. It wasn't until I phoned that I was sent the freight tracking details. The clamps arrived and I discover only one handle so I send an email advising of this and get a reply that we only sent one handle per 4 clamps. I think whats this crap so I check the web site on this matter and no nothing is stated, the price certainly does not reflect this either. So I sent an email request a full compliment of handles as its what I've paid for. And that where its gone quiet again.

[woodPixel]

You only need one handle.

It used to be that you received 1 for 2.... But for what reason do you need more than one? It just gets in the way and you hold with one hand and wind the other.

[cava]

Yep, from memory I did not receive a full compliment of handles either. I think that is just the way he operates.

As a matter of interest, if you don't mind me asking, what are they worth these days?

I just checked my records, and I paid $300 back in May 2013.

[fubar]

Ive got 2 handles with 12 clamps,Only ever used one of them and then not for long I just use some ratchet spanners, not an issue its one handle per order. Best clamps ever also the bandsaw device is fantastic, not affiliated with Con just a happy customer

[cava]

Ive got 2 handles with 12 clamps,Only ever used one of them and then not for long I just use some ratchet spanners, not an issue its one handle per order.

The issue arises if you (or anyone) wanted to sell a clamp or two.

From my perspective as a potential buyer, I would want the handle included.

[rod1949]

All I want is what I've paid for ie a handle with each clamp and because there is nothing on Frontlines web site to indicate anything else. Lets face it Frontline is making money thus ripping you off in not supplying a handle with each clamp.

cava I brought the 920mm clamps and paid $340 each plus $145 (total) for freight.

All I need now is for Frontline to respond to my emails....

[woodPixel]

You can order handles or simply use a ratchet spanner (or long socket sparkplug socket). You can order extra handles at purchase, or additional ones later.

I was wrong in my earlier post, Ive a received one handle with each order, so there are three.

If the cost is too high, Ilya (a woodworking chum here in Canberra and forumite) made a sensational set of his own clamps. They used square bar, acme threads and a scissor action. Perhaps ask him for some pictures and tip/hints. They turned out very well and Im sure they wouldnt have cost much. He might start a thread on them.

For me, the Frontlines have paid for themselves five times over. They look great, the glue pops right off the surface (once dry) and the results are so good that I dont bother with Dominos. Just glue the edges, line them up, pop in a crush-strip on either end (I save my MDF strips cutoffs from cabinetry jobs) and wind them up. I align the ends to get maximum board.

What I really like, and this is a key point for me, is the clamping action doesnt cause the boards to move around. On the pipe clamps (Ive 40) and Irwins Quick Grips (the 2 metre jobbies), the glued edges want to follow the torque of the clamp. It leaves the boards slightly out of whack if you arent careful.... this problem doesnt occur with the Frontlines.

They clamp with the relentless crushing fist of death. If one isnt careful, the pressure applied is enormous! The timber seriously screams.

The most fun Ive ever had was making very big panels for cheap tabletops on the 1220's. It was so nice just to use two clamps for an entire job. It made it so easy it felt trivial - up until now it was 10 or 12 long pipe clamps and lots of cursing!

[aldav]

plus $145 (total) for freight.

:oo: I know these are heavyish and too long for Auspost, but that freight cost definitely has the 'ouch' factor even though it is from Melbourne to Perth.