Best clamps??

[Belboz]

Thought about posting this in Tools and Materials' but posts rarely seem to get answered in that part of the forum (Mods - please move if you decide it should be in there)

Looking to buy some new clamps for upcoming woodworking projects and wanted advice as to what are the best ones please.

Just looking at straightforward clamping - not specialist jobs (e.g. mitre clamps)

Views would be greatly appreciated as always.

Many thanks,

B

 

[foxhole]

depends how big you need?

 

[Belboz]

4 inch//6 inch

 

[AronSearle]

I would help you, but you use inches so I wont.

 

[Belboz]

I would help you, but you use inches so I wont.

Actually, I can use both being of a certain generation..........

I usually use metric.

However, I quoted the imperial sizes because all the places I have been looking at quote the clamp sizes in imperial and not metric.

I, therefore, assumed that this was 'the norm'.

 

[big-all]

i have 14 off these
http://www.axminster.co.uk/solo-speed-clamp
16 cheap silerline that are much poorer quality but ok for most jobs http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p73583
and 20 odd 4" clamps from lidl and the like at around £5 a pair

 

[Belboz]

Thanks big-all.

Those were the ones I was looking at and that place is cheaper than where I was looking so all good.

B

 

[big-all]

they do 10 even cheaper or they did

 

[Belboz]

Yeah they still do multi-buys with discount.

Just the job.

Cheaper than my regular place as well.

 

[foxhole]

i have 14 off these
http://www.axminster.co.uk/solo-speed-clamp
16 cheap silerline that are much poorer quality but ok for most jobs http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p73583
and 20 odd 4" clamps from lidl and the like at around £5 a pair

Bought a couple of the silverline but snapped both the handles on first use so went for better quality.

 

[big-all]

i have 14 off these
http://www.axminster.co.uk/solo-speed-clamp
16 cheap silerline that are much poorer quality but ok for most jobs http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p73583
and 20 odd 4" clamps from lidl and the like at around £5 a pair

Bought a couple of the silverline but snapped both the handles on first use so went for better quality.

yes you have to treat them with caution and only go one hand tight same with the lidl and other clamps without pressed/welded steel top sections
but you can always send them back if you do break them

 

[Norcon]

I would help you, but you use inches so I wont.

Not a good idea to shoehorn your self into using only metric.

When I measure a roof on site for rsj portal frames I'll jot the measurement down in imperial and metric.

So when I go to the band saw in our fabrication facility and the rsj's start rolling in I'll compare both for the actual cut.
Much less likely to make a mistake. It only takes about 5 seconds to do that. Get it wrong and its another half a day modifying the mistake.
Most tapes have metric and imperial.

 

[big-all]

both all the way here as well
i write the measurements in one and in brackets the other this allows a check when dought creeps in

 

[AronSearle]

Most tapes have metric and imperial.

If I was emperor I would ban them

Anyway, the only useful comment I will make is that speed clamps are very good, for speed and one handed operation, but they do not give as high as pressure as C-clamps.

The best clamp is the best clamp for the job.

I prefer these type of clamps over the ones above, they can do the same job, have rubber pads, and can be changed to spreader clamps, although they typically cost more, but only a few quid more.

 

[gregers]

clamp too tight and they break.they are only as strong as the plastic parts within them.