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Finding clamps

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 12:05 pm
by Forrest747
Ok i have an ok size collection of 2 and 3 inch clamps (25 total) and two 5 foot pole clamps and feeling the sickness in needing more clamps. I looks on craigslist and paper and no real luck. Should i be looking else where? also think i need to expand my collection to a few quick clamps at 12 or more inches.

Re: Finding clamps

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 12:23 pm
by PSBreen
Forrest,

HF has a lot of their clamps on sale right now. If by quick clamps you are refering to the "pistol grip" racheting type clamps, stay away from the HF ones. They do not hold up well. Too much plastic is my guess. Their Quick Release Bar Clamps are great though. I have been using several of their 6" Quick Release Bar Clamps (Item #96210) during my build and haven't had any issues with them. Might be worth checking out.

Re: Finding clamps

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 1:50 pm
by les45
ditto the negative on the HF ratchet clamps; they will fall apart the first time you use them (ask me how I know)

Re: Finding clamps

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 3:02 pm
by WhitneyK
les45 wrote:ditto the negative on the HF ratchet clamps; they will fall apart the first time you use them (ask me how I know)


If you get the plastic "quick" clamps from HF, DON'T drop 'em!!! ...and you can ask me how I know (I went from 6 down to 2 after combining good? parts) :x

And don't put too much "ummmpphh" to 'em either.

Re: Finding clamps

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 3:05 pm
by Forrest747
Maybe i need to find a local woodbutcher befreind him and slowly and carefully insert myself into the will and have me the sole benefactor of all his tools.

Re: Finding clamps

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 3:11 pm
by NathanL
A bunch of all thread and some scrap 2x2's or 2x4's and you can clamp pretty much anything. Not as handy as a regular clamp but if you get something too big for the clamps you own or a goofy size/shape they come in pretty handy.

Re: Finding clamps

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 5:26 pm
by VijayGupta
The Harbor Freight F-clamps regularly run on sale and while not super heavy duty, they work fine. I buy them when on sale and if I need to leave a clamp at a customer's site for longer than I want to stay, I just tell them to keep it. It costs me more in time and money to drive back and pick up a $2.99 clamp.

First row here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsea ... PerPage=20