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  1. #1
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    Default McJing Bent Bar Holdfast

    Hi All,

    I noticed that McJing has a new holdfast - they are referring to as bent bar, as opposed to the cast iron one.(https://mcjing.com.au/categorybrowse...categoryid=456).

    Any thoughts or experience with these? They are a fair bit cheaper than the Gramercy ones from HNT Gordon. I would expect they aren't the same sort of quality, but wondering if for the price they might be worth it?

    Comments would be great. Cheers

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Katoomba NSW
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    Default

    They have a knurled shaft which I think would damage your bench top every time you used it.
    The gramercy might be a bit more expensive but I believe they are the best holdfasts you can buy.
    I have a pair of Gramercy and a pair of the older McJing and I only use the Gramercy. I used the McJings for some time before I got the Gramercy and never had a problem with them. They worked fine. The Gramercy are just a better shape and a better all round holdfast.
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

  3. #3
    FenceFurniture's Avatar
    FenceFurniture is offline The prize lies beneath - hidden in full view
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by NCArcher View Post
    .......and I only use the Gramercy.
    AHEM! Without wishing to rub it in......shouldn't that be "and I only used the Gramercy." (he's shedless atm marphlix, and in severe withdrawal - has to get a fix as a voyeur these days).
    Regards, FenceFurniture

    COLT DRILLS GROUP BUY
    Jan-Feb 2019 Click to send me an email

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Towradgi
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    Default

    Marphlix, I have the older style McJing Hold down. I use it irregularly, but have two benchs set up to receive it. Hold things down tight and easy to move with a tap from the mallett.

    Brett, you are evil to remind Tony of his lack of shed, I like it!
    Pat
    Work is a necessary evil to be avoided. Mark Twain

  5. #5
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by FenceFurniture View Post
    AHEM! Without wishing to rub it in......shouldn't that be "and I only used the Gramercy." (he's shedless atm marphlix, and in severe withdrawal - has to get a fix as a voyeur these days).
    Show's how much you know. I've drilled dog holes in the kitchen table and use the Gramercy holdfasts to secure my plate at meal times. A considerable reduction in unsightly spills.
    I'm watching you Pat
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

  6. #6
    FenceFurniture's Avatar
    FenceFurniture is offline The prize lies beneath - hidden in full view
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    Quote Originally Posted by NCArcher View Post
    Show's how much you know. I've drilled dog holes in the kitchen table and use the Gramercy holdfasts to secure my plate at meal times.


    So there's everything need to know marphlix - Gramercy in preference to McJing's even to hold a dinner plate (it's a good idea actually - I've seen him eat).
    Regards, FenceFurniture

    COLT DRILLS GROUP BUY
    Jan-Feb 2019 Click to send me an email

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Sydney
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    Wink



    Thanks, as i am just starting out, its good to know that a McJing won't be a complete waste - I would love the gramercy, but until i develop more, i don't think it can be justified. That and with our first bub on the way, not sure my wife would appreciate $95 over $18.

    As for my bench, its a, home built, really rough, laminated radiata pine top (don't be too harsh on me please, it actually does work good enough for me if i weigh it down with some weights on the stretchers ). I will build a new proper one out of hardwood sometime (like i said when i develop more), but until i do, i'm not too worried about having to re-drill dog holes etc.

    Thanks for your input!

  8. #8
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    Towradgi
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    Marphlix, we all start with rickety, light benches and next to no money for toys. a few projects to develop skills, a few projects for the good wife and bub, meet up with fellow woodies or join a club and then toys start appearing with the Minister for War and Finance's approval (before or after purchase )
    Pat
    Work is a necessary evil to be avoided. Mark Twain

  9. #9
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    May 2012
    Location
    Canberra
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    Don't be too harsh on your workbench. Half the blokes here are using old doors, $39 fold up plastic tables from bunnings, mongrel dining tables and crap they've dragged in from the neighbours council collection!

    You can never have enough bench space

    ... Or tools. Or sandpaper. Or.....

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by marphlix View Post




    As for my bench, its a, home built, really rough, laminated radiata pine top
    It's way better that Tony's kitchen table...
    CHRIS

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Parks View Post
    It's way better that Tony's kitchen table...
    I bought a pai of the macjing bent bar hold downs , had to draw file off the thread for them to work properly. They dont really have enough bend or flex in them and the flat pad on one is on an angle so it can slip a bit sideways.

  12. #12
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    May 2012
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ian Wells View Post
    I bought a pai of the macjing bent bar hold downs , had to draw file off the thread for them to work properly. They dont really have enough bend or flex in them and the flat pad on one is on an angle so it can slip a bit sideways.
    I was told that to make new holdfasts work well, one has to wrap the shaft in rough sandpaper and run it vigorously up and down, NOT axially.

    This is so it binds properly.

    I'm unsure if it's true or not, but it seems to work.

  13. #13
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    Feb 2014
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ian Wells View Post
    I bought a pai of the macjing bent bar hold downs , had to draw file off the thread for them to work properly. They dont really have enough bend or flex in them and the flat pad on one is on an angle so it can slip a bit sideways.

    Hi Ian,

    I noticed the same thing. Check out what i did with mine here: https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...52#post1864552

    Cheers, Dave

  14. #14
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    Tony, you can use my shed when you want, just bring the holdfasts
    CHRIS

  15. #15
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    Location
    blue mountains
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    Default

    This may of use to some with getting some grip.
    http://www.theenglishwoodworker.com/...ts-get-a-grip/

    Regards
    John

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