I got my daily Rockler email today, which included a pretty good deal on
10" handscrews ($6.85 each, free shipping over $25)

http://www.rockler.com/wooden-handscrew-clamps-clamps#

It seems that every month or two they choose one size to put on sale at
a pretty steep discount. I got two of the 8" for $5 each about a month
ago, and two of the 12" maybe a year and a half ago for about $9 each.

I've been finding myself reaching for handscrews more and more often;
sometimes for their obvious virtues (long reach, non-marring jaws), but
more often for the convenience. I use them like vises that I can put
anywhere I like, sometimes holding them in place with Quick-Grips,
sometimes just letting them prop up a piece vertically, resting on their
own square edges. I'm not a fan of bending down, so I'm in favor
anything I can do to secure the work in the most convenient orientation.

None of this is likely news to the more experienced folks here, but here
are some of the ways I've found myself using them:

http://lumberjocks.com/GregGuarino/blog/44010

I don't think I'll be buying the 10" as I already have pairs in 14", 12"
and 8", but it is tempting.

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On 1/3/2015 11:59 AM, Greg Guarino wrote:
I don't think I'll be buying the 10" as I already have pairs in 14", 12"
and 8", but it is tempting.

Two of a size are seldom enough.

You can never have too many clamps.

On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 11:59:24 -0500, Greg Guarino
wrote:

I got my daily Rockler email today, which included a pretty good deal on
10" handscrews ($6.85 each, free shipping over $25)

http://www.rockler.com/wooden-handscrew-clamps-clamps#

It seems that every month or two they choose one size to put on sale at
a pretty steep discount. I got two of the 8" for $5 each about a month
ago, and two of the 12" maybe a year and a half ago for about $9 each.

I've been finding myself reaching for handscrews more and more often;
sometimes for their obvious virtues (long reach, non-marring jaws), but
more often for the convenience. I use them like vises that I can put
anywhere I like, sometimes holding them in place with Quick-Grips,
sometimes just letting them prop up a piece vertically, resting on their
own square edges. I'm not a fan of bending down, so I'm in favor
anything I can do to secure the work in the most convenient orientation.

None of this is likely news to the more experienced folks here, but here
are some of the ways I've found myself using them:

http://lumberjocks.com/GregGuarino/blog/44010

I don't think I'll be buying the 10" as I already have pairs in 14", 12"
and 8", but it is tempting.

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Rockler's latest flier also has Irwin SL300 QuickClamps two for the
price of one.

6" 2/$19.99
12" 2/$27.99
18" 2/$29.99
24" 2/$31.99

I'm going to try to get up to the "local" store soon but SWMBO doesn't
like driving in Atlanta, particularly the North side.

On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:19:46 -0500, Larry Kraus
wrote:

On 1/3/2015 11:59 AM, Greg Guarino wrote:
I don't think I'll be buying the 10" as I already have pairs in 14", 12"
and 8", but it is tempting.

Two of a size are seldom enough.

Gotta start somewhere. This is a regular thing for Rockler.

You can never have too many clamps.

+1

On 1/3/2015 12:19 PM, Larry Kraus wrote:
On 1/3/2015 11:59 AM, Greg Guarino wrote:
I don't think I'll be buying the 10" as I already have pairs in 14", 12"
and 8", but it is tempting.

Two of a size are seldom enough.

You can never have too many clamps.

But there are sometimes other considerations: competing claims for space
and money among them.

Strangely, these days I rarely find myself wanting for a clamp, EXCEPT
the most expensive parallel variety. I've only got a couple of those,
and they're pretty long. I'd love to have a couple of 24" ones, but I
try to restrict my purchases to things I have an immediate need for, and
things that are on ridiculous sale. At $4.95 for 8" handscrews they were
practically taunting me.

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On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 11:59:24 -0500, Greg Guarino wrote:

I got my daily Rockler email today, which included a pretty good deal on
10" handscrews ($6.85 each, free shipping over $25)



Good price, but I don't like the metal screws. I make my own by
threading hardwood dowels. That way I can use the full reach without
worrying about scratching the work.

Besides, it's fun to make them just like the old ones :-).

On 1/3/2015 1:24 PM, Larry Blanchard wrote:
On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 11:59:24 -0500, Greg Guarino wrote:

I got my daily Rockler email today, which included a pretty good deal on
10" handscrews ($6.85 each, free shipping over $25)



Good price, but I don't like the metal screws. I make my own by
threading hardwood dowels. That way I can use the full reach without
worrying about scratching the work.

How's the clamping force on those?

Besides, it's fun to make them just like the old ones :-).

While I think I can imagine that being fun, you are evidently
unacquainted with my working pace. The first picture in the Flickr photo
set for my latest project was taken on May 11th 2014. The last was taken
on December 26th.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gdguar...7644207411490/

Now I should note that this has been a rough year in several ways, but
even in better times, if I had to first make the tools before using
them, I'd never live long enough to complete a project.

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On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 15:42:30 -0500, Greg Guarino wrote:

Good price, but I don't like the metal screws. I make my own by
threading hardwood dowels. That way I can use the full reach without
worrying about scratching the work.

How's the clamping force on those?

Higher than my wrist muscle force :-).

Why would you need enormous force? Are you using them to build a veneer
press?

On 1/3/2015 7:36 PM, Larry Blanchard wrote:
On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 15:42:30 -0500, Greg Guarino wrote:

Good price, but I don't like the metal screws. I make my own by
threading hardwood dowels. That way I can use the full reach without
worrying about scratching the work.

How's the clamping force on those?

Higher than my wrist muscle force :-).

Why would you need enormous force? Are you using them to build a veneer
press?

Just curious. Something I had wondered about when I saw the
wood-threaded ones.

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On Saturday, January 3, 2015 10:35:57 PM UTC-6, Greg Guarino wrote:
On 1/3/2015 7:36 PM, Larry Blanchard wrote:
On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 15:42:30 -0500, Greg Guarino wrote:

Good price, but I don't like the metal screws. I make my own by
threading hardwood dowels. That way I can use the full reach without
worrying about scratching the work.

How's the clamping force on those?

Higher than my wrist muscle force :-).

Why would you need enormous force? Are you using them to build a veneer
press?

Just curious. Something I had wondered about when I saw the
wood-threaded ones.

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sometimes a look at my old, worn handscrews hanging on pegboard and think of them as antique memories from my high school wood class more than 50 years ago. There they hang among a collection of Irwins, Besseys, pipe clams, straps and other more modern clamping devices.

Then an Ahhh-Ha! moment comes as I'm trying to figure out an oddball clamping problem. Out come the handscrews which get used in a manner that my old shop instructor never thought of teaching. They often get combined with the newer clamps but they are usually the catalyst that 'pulls the project together'.

On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:29:16 -0500
wrote:


Rockler's latest flier also has Irwin SL300 QuickClamps two for the
price of one.

Irwin clamps are inferior and not worth much, I bought some and
regret that. They are not professional grade. I use mine rarely
and for limited tasks. Like creating a place to hang my goggles
or mask in a pinch. But not for real work.

On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 11:59:24 -0500
Greg Guarino wrote:

I've been finding myself reaching for handscrews more and more often;
sometimes for their obvious virtues (long reach, non-marring jaws),

I don't have any of these but I need to get some. As someone else
said it's not possible to have too many clamps.

On 1/4/15 11:19 AM, Electric Comet wrote:
On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:29:16 -0500 wrote:


Rockler's latest flier also has Irwin SL300 QuickClamps two for
the price of one.

Irwin clamps are inferior and not worth much, I bought some and
regret that. They are not professional grade. I use mine rarely and
for limited tasks. Like creating a place to hang my goggles or mask
in a pinch. But not for real work.


I guess this building wasn't "real work" then.
http://goo.gl/rq5v0r

I used the SL300s in almost every step of the process, including holding
16' treated 2x10s to the posts while I leveled and attached each end.

I do use there little brothers, the 546 6" minis for hanging hoses and
goggles, etc. I think you might have the two confused.


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

On 1/4/2015 2:58 PM, -MIKE- wrote:
On 1/4/15 11:19 AM, Electric Comet wrote:
On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:29:16 -0500 wrote:


Rockler's latest flier also has Irwin SL300 QuickClamps two for
the price of one.

Irwin clamps are inferior and not worth much, I bought some and
regret that. They are not professional grade. I use mine rarely and
for limited tasks. Like creating a place to hang my goggles or mask
in a pinch. But not for real work.


I guess this building wasn't "real work" then.
http://goo.gl/rq5v0r

I used the SL300s in almost every step of the process, including holding
16' treated 2x10s to the posts while I leveled and attached each end.

I do use there little brothers, the 546 6" minis for hanging hoses and
goggles, etc. I think you might have the two confused.


As I have mentioned before, I have quite a lot of the Minis and wouldn't
be without them. Working alone, there's always something that needs to
be held in place and it's hard to beat that one-hand convenience. They
do not squeeze as hard as other clamps, and probably should not be used
where greater force is required.

Anyone who has no use for their Minis can request my shipping address.
I'll handle the disposal at no charge.

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On Sun, 4 Jan 2015 09:19:02 -0800, Electric Comet
wrote:

On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:29:16 -0500
wrote:


Rockler's latest flier also has Irwin SL300 QuickClamps two for the
price of one.

Irwin clamps are inferior and not worth much, I bought some and
regret that. They are not professional grade. I use mine rarely
and for limited tasks. Like creating a place to hang my goggles
or mask in a pinch. But not for real work.

I disagree 100%. The SL300s, in particular, are *very* good. They're
great for initial setup. Very Quick. ;-)

On Sunday, January 4, 2015 11:20:50 AM UTC-6, Electric Comet wrote:
On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:29:16 -0500
wrote:


Rockler's latest flier also has Irwin SL300 QuickClamps two for the
price of one.

Irwin clamps are inferior and not worth much, I bought some and
regret that. They are not professional grade. I use mine rarely
and for limited tasks. Like creating a place to hang my goggles
or mask in a pinch. But not for real work.

I guess I have simple needs. I have quite a few Irwins and they get a fair amount of use. First for temporarily holding things together when fitting and also for gluing. Granted panel gluing requires better clamping but face gluing fairly large parts requires quite a few clamps and they work fine..

On 1/7/2015 5:51 PM, RonB wrote:
On Sunday, January 4, 2015 11:20:50 AM UTC-6, Electric Comet wrote:
On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:29:16 -0500 wrote:


Rockler's latest flier also has Irwin SL300 QuickClamps two for
the price of one.

Irwin clamps are inferior and not worth much, I bought some and
regret that. They are not professional grade. I use mine rarely and
for limited tasks. Like creating a place to hang my goggles or mask
in a pinch. But not for real work.

I guess I have simple needs. I have quite a few Irwins and they get
a fair amount of use. First for temporarily holding things together
when fitting and also for gluing. Granted panel gluing requires
better clamping but face gluing fairly large parts requires quite a
few clamps and they work fine.

I was hesitant to argue too strongly for how useful I find the
Quick-Grip minis. My experience is limited and I'd hate to give poor
advice. But I have wondered how much "clamping force" is really
necessary, even for simple glue-ups.

I should begin by saying that my general habit throughout most of my
life has been to over-tighten things. Valves, soda bottle tops, clamps
etc. But I believe I read here that extreme force may actually be bad
for a glue joint. I'm still not sure I know the optimum amount of force,
but when I need a lot of small clamps, I don't hesitate to use the
minis, and I don't think I've had any problems as a result.

Here's an example:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gdguar...1490/lightbox/

[For those wondering why I didn't simply clamp across the whole unit, I
wanted to get the first side clamped before gluing up the second.]

I'm wondering if anyone thinks this clamping method is likely to have
produced insufficient force, or a poor bond. (there are biscuits in the
joint) Incidentally, as I believe I mentioned in the original post,
large handscrews allowed me to hold the assembly upright while I glued
up the second side:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gdguar...1490/lightbox/

And I agree, the minis can't be beat for convenience when holding setups
together for nearly every task I do.

On 1/4/2015 12:18 PM, RonB wrote:
On Saturday, January 3, 2015 10:35:57 PM UTC-6, Greg Guarino wrote:
On 1/3/2015 7:36 PM, Larry Blanchard wrote:
On Sat, 03 Jan 2015 15:42:30 -0500, Greg Guarino wrote:

Good price, but I don't like the metal screws. I make my own by
threading hardwood dowels. That way I can use the full reach without
worrying about scratching the work.

How's the clamping force on those?

Higher than my wrist muscle force :-).

Why would you need enormous force? Are you using them to build a veneer
press?

Just curious. Something I had wondered about when I saw the
wood-threaded ones.

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sometimes a look at my old, worn handscrews hanging on pegboard and think of them as antique memories from my high school wood class more than 50 years ago. There they hang among a collection of Irwins, Besseys, pipe clams, straps and other more modern clamping devices.

Then an Ahhh-Ha! moment comes as I'm trying to figure out an oddball clamping problem. Out come the handscrews which get used in a manner that my old shop instructor never thought of teaching. They often get combined with the newer clamps but they are usually the catalyst that 'pulls the project together'.

The "oddball" uses don't surprise me so much; that's what I thought
about handscrews before I had them hanging on such a convenient hook.
It's more about how many run-of-the-mill situations can be improved with
them. I think the "secret" is the square edges (and even ends) that sit
flat on the work surface in almost any orientation.