Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Dee Bee wrote:I used c clamps in my build occassionally. But what I really wanted to share is that I also used a set of spring clamps from Harbor Freight Tools. I broke 4 of them so far. The plastic handles broke off the fulcrum. Of the remaining ones half of the pivot pads at the buisness end of the clamp have broken off.

I only paid 9 buck for the complete set of 12. I gues it proves the point you get what you pay for...

They served their purpose, and I will be able to finish the build without buying any more. Would I buy HF plastic clamps again? Probably not.

DEE BEE

Was it this type of clamp? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36277 I've had really good luck with mine so far, the first time I used them on my trailer was on the trip home with it. Here's a shot of two clamps holding the window closed on the trip home from Shasta, CA.

I don't know if you'd properly call this a clamp, but this hold-down did come in handy attaching the ply to the hatch frame

I use the h/f plastic clamps extensively in modeling, the small ones...

I find the large ones too slippery. I do use large spring clamps that are metal with plastic coverings on the jaws (also from h/f years ago)... the plastic covering on them is quite 'sticky' and does not slip easily.... and I use them on all types of projects, I think I have 3 different sizes.

One of the neatest uses is on vertical surfaces as braces to hold shelves in place while I drill holes... they are not used as clamps, but as supports to keep the shelves from dropping.....

I much prefer the metal clamps with the plastic coating on the jaws and handles.... I would not buy the large plastic clamps.

More "gravity clamps"

Here is inexpensive Homemade PVC pipe C Clamps.

I like the PVC clamps...but my favorite clamps are a package of shims for $3.98 cents



Look Mom...no screws

I see you have Ira's favorite red clamp too.

My favorites include anything and everything that will do the job:





Since I was working over at Bill's house he had all sorts of clamps for each step of the build!
Barb

You can never have too many clamps.

You also can't beat the price on Harbor Freight clamps.