I am considering whether I should buy a set of Hand Screw Clamps. Does the
group feel that these are a worthwhile shop addition? If so, what size
proves to be the most useful since they seem to come in sizes from 8" to 16"
(#0 thru #4)? I don't want to buy all of the sizes, just one set for now.

Philly

"philly" wrote in message
ink.net...
I am considering whether I should buy a set of Hand Screw Clamps. Does
the
group feel that these are a worthwhile shop addition? If so, what size
proves to be the most useful since they seem to come in sizes from 8" to
16"
(#0 thru #4)? I don't want to buy all of the sizes, just one set for now.

Philly


Used mine, which are rated by opening at 6" for the first time in months
just yesterday. Did it because I had no offcuts to use with regular clamps
to get back to 90 degrees. They're quite the PITA to adjust, with the same
direction producing a different effect depending on which screw you use. I
prefer to plan ahead and use regular clamps or wedged jigs, but when the
glue's already spread, and nothing prepared ... they work. Would not go out
of my way to buy any today.

"George" george@least wrote in message
...
"philly" wrote in message
ink.net...
I am considering whether I should buy a set of Hand Screw Clamps. Does
the
group feel that these are a worthwhile shop addition? If so, what size
proves to be the most useful since they seem to come in sizes from 8" to
16"
(#0 thru #4)? I don't want to buy all of the sizes, just one set for
now.

Philly


Used mine, which are rated by opening at 6" for the first time in months
just yesterday. Did it because I had no offcuts to use with regular
clamps
to get back to 90 degrees. They're quite the PITA to adjust, with the
same
direction producing a different effect depending on which screw you use.
I
prefer to plan ahead and use regular clamps or wedged jigs, but when the
glue's already spread, and nothing prepared ... they work. Would not go
out
of my way to buy any today.

I use them all the time. Once you get used to them they are not a PITA. I
rather like them due to the large size of the jaws.
Get a pair of #1 or #2 to start. I wouldn't mix sizes as then they don't
work quite as well together. The body of the clamp works in the same way as
those clamp blocks to keep your work off the table.

-j

I use mine all the time for a multitude of things. I have them sized from
anywhere from
I think 4" or 6" up to around 14". I suppose it depends on what size
projects you are doing
as to which size to get. I've used all to some degree and they've worked
well. I suppose you
could always go with a set of 8" or 10" as they are sort of middle of the
road size wise and see
if you get use out of them. I bought a bunch of the mechanisms a while
back from Grizzly but haven't
had a chance to build my own yet. Not sure if this helped much but all in
all, I'd say, yes they are
handy and yes, they will get usage particularly if you are doing hand work.
Cheers,
cc

"philly" wrote in message
ink.net...
I am considering whether I should buy a set of Hand Screw Clamps. Does the
group feel that these are a worthwhile shop addition? If so, what size
proves to be the most useful since they seem to come in sizes from 8" to
16"
(#0 thru #4)? I don't want to buy all of the sizes, just one set for now.

Philly

In article , "James \"Cubby\"
Culbertson" says...
I bought a bunch of the mechanisms a while
back from Grizzly but haven't
had a chance to build my own yet.

I bought threading tools (I think from Grizzly) and made my own with
1/2" dowels for screws. They weren't hard to make and I've uswed them
for years. And the threading tools come in handy for making other
clamps as required.

--
Homo sapiens is a goal, not a description

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:29:01 -0800, Larry Blanchard
wrote:

In article , "James \"Cubby\"
Culbertson" says...
I bought a bunch of the mechanisms a while
back from Grizzly but haven't
had a chance to build my own yet.

I bought threading tools (I think from Grizzly) and made my own with
1/2" dowels for screws. They weren't hard to make and I've uswed them
for years. And the threading tools come in handy for making other
clamps as required.

I bought a bunch from Penn State Industries. At the prices they
charge you can get a few in each size.

Check this out for a deal...
http://tinyurl.com/6p72h or
http://www.pennstateind.com/Merchant...y_Code=E-10195

JP

Mon, Jan 17, 2005, 5:22pm (EST+5) (philly)
apparently needs to know:
I am considering whether I should buy a set of Hand Screw Clamps. Does
the group feel that these are a worthwhile shop addition? snip

Who's gonna use 'em? You or the group?

Who's gonna pay for 'em? You or the group?

So, who should make up their mind about buying some? You or the
group?



JOAT
Charity ain't giving people what you wants to give, it's giving people
what they need to get.
- Albert

I am considering whether I should buy a set of Hand Screw Clamps. Does the
group feel that these are a worthwhile shop addition? If so, what size
proves to be the most useful since they seem to come in sizes from 8" to 16"
(#0 thru #4)? I don't want to buy all of the sizes, just one set for now.

Philly


These clamps are hard to get used to for me but it won't stop me from
using and "liking" them... one hard part is getting up enough tork to
tighten them down enough, and the direction in which to turn can be
confusing, other than opening and closing so the jaws remain "even".
If both are turned in the_same_yet_opposing_direction (I think) they
close or open evenly, opposing directions then you get a "V" or an
"A", or as it were... a little hard for me when the jaws are on
whatever is being clamped. Maybe I am dislexic.

I think they are great clamps. I have four 12" and two 8" (jaw length),
you can see the opening sizes related to jaw length he
http://www.adjustableclamp.com/handcat1.htm#Handscrews these
sizes are the ususal case. I think the ideal sizes are 12" and 10". Really
good prices are @http://japanwoodworker.com/ ("improved") I have
not seen them but JWW has a good reputation (buy 5 get 15% off).
Two of my 12" are from Harbour Freight, made in Armenia, they
work fine but are not of a supreme quality by any shot. The other two
are Woodcraft branded, made in the USA by Dubuque Clamp works,
supreme quality. I think the Jorgensen's are utterly overpriced. Good
deals can be found on eBay as well as Rockler. Sears makes good
ones, a tad over priced but great quality. You can also buy the kits,
all the hardware and no wood except the handles. Steelex brand
(Woodstock Int'l) at Grizzly, Amazon and he
http://store.yahoo.com/right-tool/steelwoodcla.html/ super good
deals on those. I think the clamps are worth it at a low price, just not
the Harbour Freight ones unless destitutely poor. Good luck!

--
Alex
cravdraa - at - yahoo - dot - comment
http://www.e-sword.net/ (free excellent windows bible)

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 15:40:05 -0800, "AAvK" wrote:


These clamps are hard to get used to for me but it won't stop me from
using and "liking" them... one hard part is getting up enough tork to
tighten them down enough, and the direction in which to turn can be
confusing, other than opening and closing so the jaws remain "even".
If both are turned in the_same_yet_opposing_direction (I think) they
close or open evenly, opposing directions then you get a "V" or an
"A", or as it were... a little hard for me when the jaws are on
whatever is being clamped. Maybe I am dislexic.

after you use them a bit, you learn to "spin" them with 2 hands and
open or close them pretty quick while still keep the
jaws/blocks/whateverthehellyoucallthem parallel



mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

I've got about a dozen, in different sizes and they come in very handy
at times. They reach much deeper than regular clamps. You can also
use them to safely handle small parts at the router table or saw.

Tom O'Connor wrote:
I've got about a dozen, in different sizes and they come in very
handy at times. They reach much deeper than regular clamps. You
can also use them to safely handle small parts at the router table
or saw.

What size would you recommend for small parts at the router table?

Josie

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:31:33 -0500, "firstjois"
wrote:

Tom O'Connor wrote:
I've got about a dozen, in different sizes and they come in very
handy at times. They reach much deeper than regular clamps. You
can also use them to safely handle small parts at the router table
or saw.

What size would you recommend for small parts at the router table?

Josie

larger than the part, smaller than your router table?

you have to play with them to find what's comfortable for your hands,
shop, style of work, etc... sort of asking what size bar or pipe clamp
to use without saying what size stuff you need to clamp..

I think of them as sort of "old fashion clamps" but still use them..
sort of an addiction.. *g*



mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

mac davis wrote:
On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 22:31:33 -0500, "firstjois"
wrote:

Tom O'Connor wrote:
I've got about a dozen, in different sizes and they come in very
handy at times. They reach much deeper than regular clamps. You
can also use them to safely handle small parts at the router table
or saw.

What size would you recommend for small parts at the router table?

Josie

larger than the part, smaller than your router table?

you have to play with them to find what's comfortable for your hands,
shop, style of work, etc... sort of asking what size bar or pipe
clamp to use without saying what size stuff you need to clamp..

I think of them as sort of "old fashion clamps" but still use them..
sort of an addiction.. *g*



mac

Thanks. Jay gave the url for a company that carries them and I'll try
several for use with router and band saw.

Josie

You
can also use them to safely handle small parts at the router table
or saw.
[/quote]
What size would you recommend for small parts at the router table?

Josie[/quote]

It depends on what your doing. The six inch are the easiest to
maneuver but I've used all sizes, depending on the size of the
workpiece. The flat sides of the clamp slide easily on the table.
They sure help keeping fingers away from cutters.

Tom O'Connor wrote:
You
can also use them to safely handle small parts at the router table
or saw.
[/quote]
What size would you recommend for small parts at the router table?

Josie[/quote]

It depends on what your doing. The six inch are the easiest to
maneuver but I've used all sizes, depending on the size of the
workpiece. The flat sides of the clamp slide easily on the table.
They sure help keeping fingers away from cutters.

Thanks, that's it, I'm going to order them!

Josie

On Wed, 19 Jan 2005 23:30:48 -0500, "firstjois"
wrote:

Tom O'Connor wrote:
You
can also use them to safely handle small parts at the router table
or saw.
[/quote]
What size would you recommend for small parts at the router table?

Josie[/quote]

It depends on what your doing. The six inch are the easiest to
maneuver but I've used all sizes, depending on the size of the
workpiece. The flat sides of the clamp slide easily on the table.
They sure help keeping fingers away from cutters.

Thanks, that's it, I'm going to order them!

Josie

I've never used them on the router table, (I prefer sleds) but I use
them on the DP...
Makes those pesky odd shapes that you SHOULD have drilled before you
cut them off easy to orient with the table/drill bit..




mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

"firstjois" wrote in message
...
Tom O'Connor wrote:
You
can also use them to safely handle small parts at the router table
or saw.
[/quote]
What size would you recommend for small parts at the router table?

Josie[/quote]

It depends on what your doing. The six inch are the easiest to
maneuver but I've used all sizes, depending on the size of the
workpiece. The flat sides of the clamp slide easily on the table.
They sure help keeping fingers away from cutters.

Thanks, that's it, I'm going to order them!

Josie



Order this instead.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...80&cat=1,43000

Thanks, that's it, I'm going to order them!

Josie


Josie do yourself a tiny favor, look at my first reply in this thread,
2nd paragraph at least, K?

--
Alex
cravdraa - at - yahoo - dot - comment
http://www.e-sword.net/ (free excellent windows bible)

AAvK wrote:
Thanks, that's it, I'm going to order them!

Josie


Josie do yourself a tiny favor, look at my first reply in this
thread, 2nd paragraph at least, K?

--
Alex

Timely! Making corrections now.
Thanks,
Josie