Clamps.

admin

So reading through a ton of threads, it seems the one thing everyone says that you can never have enough of are clamps. Well I have....none. Could anyone give me recommendations of what sizes, styles, good brands (I'd prefer ones made here in good ole 'Merica), etc? I've been looking online and there seems to so many of them.
Reply:I would start off by buying about 200 dollars worth of vice grip c clamps.  that wont be a lot but they are the best for welding clamps.  Mac
Reply:Originally Posted by rschreckSo reading through a ton of threads, it seems the one thing everyone says that you can never have enough of are clamps. Well I have....none. Could anyone give me recommendations of what sizes, styles, good brands (I'd prefer ones made here in good ole 'Merica), etc? I've been looking online and there seems to so many of them.
Reply:Irwin discontinued their american made vise grip, its now made in china i think!when i started to work 3 years ago my step father gave me about 10 of the original C-clamp usa made non swivel pad to work with!I love them and never share them, since then i bought 5 new ones recently made in china by Irwin, a bunch of proud american don't buy Irwin since they make chinese stuff, personally when you work and touch the feeling of those  china clamps in your hands, you can see the difference and the poor quality, but its still work good as the same as my others american made! my advice, buy vise grip anyway, at my work there's one guy that bought about 2 or 3 difference brand of clamps, and their all ****ed up except those china vise grip!seriously i think Irwin was there 30 years and more ago, and those chinese will make them till i die.Calculator > Bevel Square
Reply:http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...1414_200491414Sears actually sells decent C Clamps- nothing huge up to 6"neither one of those are mage in USA though.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Oh ok. So just start out with basic C clamps. Any need for those locking c clamps I keep seeing on website? Example: http://store.cyberweld.com/vigrlocwpa11.html
Reply:Decent starter set, try free Prime membership and get free shipping.  Just remember to cancel Prime before 30 days.Amazon Hobart clamp set
Reply:Yes, get two or three of the locking  clamps. You'll wonder why you didn't get them sooner. And don't try to put too much force on the lockers, they're just for holding things together, not pulling things together. On the chinese c-clamps you'll find out soon enough they don't take much force either. Most are made of cast iron instead of cast steel. It all depends on how much $$ ya wanna spend.                                                  MkeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Any particular sizes I should be looking at? Or just 2 of these, 2 of those? And should they be heavy duty or just regular clamps?Last edited by rschreck; 07-30-2012 at 12:18 AM.
Reply:If I were starting out, I would take a good look at that hobart setupDynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:The chinese Vice grips dont last well go for Facom 505 expensive but much better.
Reply:I would also try Craigs List for clamps. In my shop I have a heirarchy of clamps. I have a couple of good vice grip clamps, pipe clamps, Bessey clamps that work for most of the time, but I also have a bunch of cheap foriegn clamps that work in a pinch on more clamp intencive project and are better to have that to have not.
Reply:What's your location ? Check flea markets, I got some great deals. You can never have too many. The Hobart set is a good choice to start. The LONG throat one is handy. Like stated, craig's list too. Even some 3/4'' pipe clamps are needed. Just when you thought you have enough, you see a deal and buy more. Look for used. A good quality clamp is costly.http://www.bing.com/shopping/search?...RM=HURE#x0y500I got two of these 6'' at a flea market for $5 each.http://www.toolbarn.com/jorgensen-800s.html
Reply:Belive it or not lookat garage sales. I got most of mine from retired welders and there widowsDave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Estate sales, garage sales, Craigslist (Put a "Want to Buy" ad). Older is better.Thanks,HoboLincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:So there were 3 boxes of C-Clamps at an Auction, except one had a couple of Bessey clamps in it.First box sold for $10, second box for $37, last box for $12.Guess which one held the Bessey's?
Reply:Originally Posted by rschreckSo reading through a ton of threads, it seems the one thing everyone says that you can never have enough of are clamps. Well I have....none. Could anyone give me recommendations of what sizes, styles, good brands (I'd prefer ones made here in good ole 'Merica), etc? I've been looking online and there seems to so many of them.
Reply:I use my Bessey clamps the most.http://www.besseytools.com/pdfs/sale...Mar20_2012.pdf
Reply:From research, in order for me to get US made clamps I either need to 1) buy used or 2) have unlimited funds. I think I'm going with clamps made by our northern friends. Bessey seems to get really good reviews.
Reply:Its hard to beat Vise-Grip brand clamps. That said, I don't know if Irwin made the smart choice going off-shore to China to have them manufactured. Guess it was a decision they poured endless hours agnonizing over before they purchased DeWitt or ViseGrip and decided to decimate that company for the sole sake of profit...my opinion. Reading various 2nd hand accounts on the Internet, as well as a posting or so from one of the Nebraska employees of ViseGrip just prior to the plant being shut down, it sounded, to me at least, that the U.S. version was strenthening against the low pay, cheaply produced foreign versions out there on a strictly manufacturing cost-of-product basis. Most of this was due to the high productivity of the labor force at ViseGrip in the final years, and maybe in previous decades as well. Now, while ViseGrip had been innovative in the past, ownership, material costs and other factors led the wonderful folks at Irwin to move the manufacture of ViseGrip overseas. ViseGrip had become both a standard of the industry other manufacturers aspired to as well as a cash cow to be dismembered. Who's to know?Back to Ed's post above (#5) for the Strong Hand Bessey clone clamp. Strong Hand seems to be a decent manufacturer of welding clamps and pliers, again, to me at least.  That is a turnabout for me as I've argued with Ed and others in the past that Strong Hand's LockJaw self-adjusting pliers weren't up to MY standards. I believe I was wrong in that belief...sorry Eddie. After getting used to the two pair of LockJaw self-adjusting ViseGrip near-clones I purchased and badmouthed, I have to admit they appear to be well built and easier to use than I gave them credit for. Still have yet to purchase further models of the LockJaw clamps/pliers, although I do own a goodly number, maybe 16-20, of the Bessey style clamps that are marked as being Wilton which I inferred to be Strong Hand with a decent ink stencil job of the Wilton logo for which, I assume, Wilton paid them well. Now, whether the Strong Hand LockJaw pliers will last and be as servicable as the 'old' ViseGrip pliers I own from all the way back to my high school days in the early '70s, who can say. Gut feeling, they won't but I believe they'll last nearly as long or longer than the current crop of Chinese manufactured Irwin ViseGrips. BTW, the locking mechanism which I at first thought to be far inferior to ViseGrip because it wouldn't 'pull in' steel like a pair of the old tried and true DeWitt wonders, read ViseGrip, actually do so...just gotta be smart enough to twist the locking pressure mechanism to tighten the action up...which BTW is the opposite direction as used by ViseGrip. Before I go sounding like a total cheerleader for Strong Hand, but not Irwin, I have to say that Strong Hand has a plethora of innovative ideas and features in their product line....it's a shame that ViseGrip never had the opportunity, especially now under Irwin ownership, to delve into developing those and other feature on the old classics!Give Strong Hand a look/try yourself. You might, or might not change your mind about them. Chinese manufactured for sure, but so are the present day Irwin ViseGrips. Who do you give your money to? As far as the other manufacturers, what few there are, most are inferior with the exception of the German/ European (?) brands. I've several Bessey welding clamps which may or may not be of European parentage, but the price is stiffer than I can justify as a hobbyist for what are excellent clamps/pliers...and I can justify a whole lot! There could be others out there I'm not familiar with...what do Aussies use? Are there French manufactured ViseGrip clones or, shudder to think, better versions? Now, as far as the 'old' ViseGrip welding pliers/clamps go, I'm a believer with around 30 pair in sizes from running to just smaller than the old 11R up to the 24". Since Irwin bought ViseGrip, I had a weak moment and purchased another six 11Rs. I also own about four pairs of Asian, probably Chinese, 18" ViseGrip style welding clamps and have to say that if they still manufacture those pigs the same way, purchased back in the early '80s, they are built with far less quality than the typical Irwin tool, which is a definate slam...not counting the Irwin ViseGrip.Personal opinion only...new, I'd go with Strong Hand or whoever is selling them under their name...lotta those aound. Used, I'd stick with ViseGrip for the standard models and go with new Strong Hand for specialty models not offered in the old ViseGrip lineup.Too long of a post. I've been wrong before on Strong Hand and loyally supported ViseGrip. Its difficult nowadays, for me anyway, to keep supporting ViseGrip when they aren't made over in Nebraska anymore.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Old = good in many cases. My wife kind of knows what to look for and purchases them at G. sales. 95% they are great.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:From Bessey Tools North America.http://www.besseytools.com/en/index.php"BESSEY’s flagship metalworking clamps are made in Germany, using steel drawn in our own ISO certified facilities. No other manufacturer in the world can offer the quality and experience that Bessey puts into this style of clamp."There is always the Carver clamps, sold under the Destaco name at times. Not sure if they are still of British manufacture or not. Specialty, for sure, but built stout!Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Most everything is already covered, above, but I would add 2 things.If you ever see any real hardware stores still open, check their stock. I have managed to find genuine USA made ViceGrips, some still in the original cardboard boxes hanging on the rack. Usually they are in the back, behind the newer Chinese stuff. I think people avoid them because the packages look shopworn, but the clamps are still much better. Also, I noticed a few models at Sears and even our LWS Airgas, with ViceGrips labeled "Made in USA". Some say "Assembled in US with foreign made components". I don't buy those since they are just leftovers from closing the US plant and bringing in China parts. Some I bought even had old price tags that were cheaper than the new Chinese stuff and they charged me the price on the sticker!Second, the best deal I have found for regular C-clamps is Rockler Woodworking. You may have a similar retailer nearby. Once or twice a year they have Jet brand C-clamps for what I consider great prices -$2 - $4 apiece, in all sizes. Sure, they are made in China now, but for that price you can buy a bunch.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Most everything is already covered, above, but I would add 2 things.If you ever see any real hardware stores still open, check their stock. I have managed to find genuine USA made ViceGrips, some still in the original cardboard boxes hanging on the rack. Usually they are in the back, behind the newer Chinese stuff. I think people avoid them because the packages look shopworn, but the clamps are still much better. Also, I noticed a few models at Sears and even our LWS Airgas, with ViceGrips labeled "Made in USA". Some say "Assembled in US with foreign made components". I don't buy those since they are just leftovers from closing the US plant and bringing in China parts. Some I bought even had old price tags that were cheaper than the new Chinese stuff and they charged me the price on the sticker! The original ViceGrips have "Made in USA" stamped on the handle. Look for them at flea markets and garage sales.Second, the best deal I have found for regular C-clamps is Rockler Woodworking. You may have a similar retailer nearby. Once or twice a year they have Jet brand C-clamps for what I consider great prices -$2 - $4 apiece, in all sizes. Sure, they are made in China now, but for that price you can buy a bunch.Sorry - double post.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Off topic wb4rt, but how's that lathe coming along?Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.Hey, Roy.Thanks for asking.It still knows how to do more than I do. I have it running pretty well, and have been experimenting with it, but not had enough time to make anything exotic. I can turn a little, and drill a little. Still struggling some with the rocker and tool holder post. It is nice to have, better than nothing, but as you and others pointed out, it is limited in it's capabilities. But so am I!   LOL! But it has been a great project for learning more and expanding my knowledge. There has been a nice lathe on CL for $1250 with a lot of tooling, but I can't swing that right now.Hope you are doing well. Traveling a lot? Staying out of the snow out there? Box me up some snow and send it to Ga, we could use the cool water.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Thanks for the help everyone! I wish finding US made clamps were as easy as finding pliers, wrenches, and screwdrivers. Go Channel Lock!
Reply:I have several of the Stronghand clamps which are a Bessy knock off, at about half the price. The other ones that I really like are called Lockjaw clamps they are self adjusting one size fists all kind of thing similar to vise-grips, and they work great. I also find it necessary to have some of the 18" vise-grips.
Reply:Reading the clamps thread,you cannot have two many, I'm74, started making wrought iron railings at 18 yrs old. I have about 50 heavy C clamps and 20 or 30 vise grip type C clamps.I have bought a lot at flea mkt. and auctions. The cheap ones from China,sometimes 3 for $10.00 bucks but they work OK ,just keep them oiled. Anyway the reason that startedthis reply, I once worked for a precast concrete step mfg ,they used C clamps to hold the forms together till the concrete set up. After about a month the clamps would get so rusty they would heave  them out. I would take them to my place ,put one in the vise and cut aslot with a .045 wafer wheel along the part where threaded screw goes through. a little oil in the slot, sometimes a thin chisel in the slot to loosen it up ,free clamp. Anyway I have a couple  of hossfeld benders, basic frames no dies for $100.00 each also Ram Scroll Machine from Julius Blum  for $400.00 I'm 23 miles from Key West Fl on Cudjoe Key   Any intrest send me a note  Jim