Too many clamps?

[Ian Runge]

A query on those quick-grip clamps. I have a few but when people ask me about them I used to say "that they are good enough to hold the work for just long enough for you to get a real clamp on the job" ..... but in my recent experience I think that even this is a compliment! Is there any trick to using these clamps without them letting you down?

Ian R.

[silentC]

Ian,

I've got a few of them as well and they're only cheapies ($17 each for the 600mm variety). I haven't had any problems with them letting go, in fact I've found them more reliable than a couple of cheap F clamps I've got, which have been known to let go while I'm not looking.

I've even used them for laminating wide boards, although only in addition to some good sash cramps.

They don't allow you to apply a heap of pressure (mine don't anyway) , is that were your proplem with them lies, or have they actually failed on you?

[DaveInOz]

Re Quick Grip clamps

I've never had a problem with 'quick grip' ,'black and orange Bunnies/mitre 10 generic' or 'Irwin' letting go.
I've put enough pressure on the squeese grip to strip the mechanism on the Black and orange type twice, never on the others.
I find them entirely adequate to use for gluing, and very easy to use one handed.

Pipe clamps

My most versatile clamp is the pipe clamp. I have various lengths of water pipe (19-20 mm gal) which are all threaded at both ends. A $0.60 joiner means I can join the pipes together to any length. The joiners are strong enough that they don't act as a hinge when pressure is applied.
Various length threaded pipe is available at Bunnies as are the joiners. If you have a way of carrying/cutting and threading them yourself the pipe is sold in 6.5 meter lengths at plumbers supplies.

[Wongo]

Originally posted by DaveInOz

I have various lengths of water pipe (19-20 mm gal) which are all threaded at both ends. A $0.60 joiner means I can join the pipes together to any length.

clever idea Dave.

[Driver]

I've had no problem with the quick-grip clamps letting go. Like Dave, I've managed to strip the threads on a couple of the Bunnies black and orange cheapies with over-enthusiastic application of the old death-grip handshake.

Darren - I've got to tell you that your Dad is being kind to his son. Speaking as a short meself and being descended from a long line of short but beautifully-formed short arses, I'm here to tell you that putting things at heights that are apparently out of our reach is not a successful strategy. We have cunning ways to reach them (think ladders, boxes, hours of intensive squat thrust jumps etc etc). Believe me, when he wants one of your clamps for real - he'll get it, no worries.

Col

[silentC]

Col, you're probably right, it's not that easy to get one over the old codger. I was working on the principle that he wouldn't be able to see them, being so high above his field of vision...

[Dewy]

Regarding Quick Grip clamps.
I bought some 12" & 6" when they were 1st availible some years ago. Unfortunately the steel bars were a lot smaller than the latest ones. I went to a steel stockist & bought a 20ft length of the same size & spent some time grinding the rounded edges then cut to size. I can now change to different length clamps in seconds. My 12" & 6" are now up to 1 metre long with more steel ready to make longer ones if needed. The 20' length of steel cost less than a single clamp. I will soon be getting the heavy duty ones with a quick release to change from clamp to spreader & then get some steel to suit for even more clamps.
I have been building up clamps for years & still find the old adage correct. You can never have enough clamps.

[TOMARTOM]

Gee after looking at sturdie I am embarressed to mention how many I have. I have 10 pipe clamps, 4 g-clamps, 9 f-clamps and a plano glue press.

I really crave for a set of Bessey clamps but the price is putting me off.

regards
tony

[Wood Borer]

I like my G Clamps, they don't let go like the F type. I need more clamps like everyone else. My set consists of only:

2 X 10", 6 X 6", and 4 X 4" G clamps

6 various types of sash clamps

and approx 12 F type clamps

The F type I had to rough up the bar with a file when I bought them years ago because the manufacturer's marketing department must have insisted on a hard clear coating on the bar. This caused the clamp to slip every time. They probably thought the presentation of the product was far more important than it's functionality!!!! They function heaps better now.

I mainly use the 4" and 6" G clamps and only use the F type when I run out of the G clamps. My next purchase of clamps will be more 6" and 4" G clamps.

- Wood Borer

[journeyman Mick]

Tony,
I've found that (like a lot of other "name brands") Bessey ain't what they used to be. I've stopped buying Bessey as quite a few of their smaller "F" clamps that I own slip under pressure . If a cheap clamp does that then you tend to think "oh well, I got what I paid for", however it's pretty bloody annoying when a quality product lets you down. I've been buying moderately cheap F clamps made by "Fragram" (as have quite a few of my mates in the trade) and they perform well. No complaints from anyone so far.

Mick

[TOMARTOM]

Thanks Mick, I think I have seen Fragam clamps at Bunnings as well as some larger tool shops.

You just can never have enough clamps.

regards tony

[Sturdee]

You just can never have enough clamps.

With the batches of shopmade handscrew clamps that I recently made the total is now 200.
Whilst you just can never have enough clamps I think I am now close to having enough.


Peter.

[Slavo]

Tony,
I've found that (like a lot of other "name brands") Bessey ain't what they used to be. I've stopped buying Bessey as quite a few of their smaller "F" clamps that I own slip under pressure .
Mick

With regard to the Bessey clamps, there is a difference between the ones you buy at Bunnies, Mitre 10, etc and the ones you can get at specialist dealers. Bunnies and similar stores stock the TPN model, which is inferior to the TG. I asked the Bessey importer about the differences and this was his reply:
TG is a trade clamp classed as NON SLIP, due to the incorporation of a non- slip device into the sliding jaw. Thus making the clamp safer to use.
TG has reinforced malleable cast iron heads (TPN normal).
TG has a larger profile rail for the same size clamp in TPN.
TG throat depths from 250mm upwards are 120mm, TPN's are 100mm upwards.
TG can obtain higher clamping compression up to half a tonne.
The TG clamp is stronger, more robust and safer than the TPN series and for
these reasons they do cost more.

No surprises here but I have found that the TPN line at Bunnies to be the same price or more expensive than the TG line (retail price) at my local industrial supplier. So, like many tool manufacturers now days, they make a cheaper, less robust line of products; and they make a more expensive but better quality line of products. I've found that you need to do your homework to distinguish quality tools (even from the same manufacturer) and that's where this forum is great.

Disclaimer. I am in no way affiliated with Bessey or any tool manufacturer/distributer/supplier, but if they want to give me lots of free samples ...

Cheers
Slavo