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Author Topic: Is there truly such a thing as too many clamps?  (Read 947 times)

Wood_Jedi

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Is there truly such a thing as too many clamps?
« on: April 25, 2012, 06:56:44 pm »
The other day, I went to Harbor Freight Tools and bought then out of clamps due to the great price on their sale... I bought bar clamps, Wood screw clamps, Aluminum bar clamps... even a straight edge clamp... The main reason for buying them not only because of the price. But its because I don not have enough clamps..

 The Buffet and Hutch project I am currently videoing is proof.. I do not have enough large clamps to do all the glue ups at once..I have to do it in sections.. and when that section is dry, glue up the next.. Which is a real time Killer!!  There is nothing worse then waiting for glue to dry.. ha

So tell me about your shop woes.. Do you ever feel that you just don't have enough clamps? Is there a such thing as too many clamps?

What style clamps do you prefer? The one style i do not have in my shop are pipe clamps.. I have been meaning to get a few to try out.. What are your thoughts on Pipe Clamps??

I go to Harbor Freight for the deals.. I know they are not the best clamps out there.. But the price of one "Named Brand" clamp could feed me for a week.. What makes them so expensive? I mean they only have one function...Hold stuff together.. I mean.. is it really necessary to have to break the bank... I sometimes think these big name brands forget about the "Little guy" The hobby woodworker, the ones that don't make money off their woodworking and do it because they love the craft..   And believe you me, There are alot of hobby woodworkers out there.. I don't think it would put the companies in bankruptcy by lowering their price a bit to allow us, dare I say "Mere Mortals"...hahaha. to be able to have this so desired and needed shop tool. 
Wood_Jedi aka
Laney Shaughnessy, Craftsman

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Michael Borg

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Re: Is there truly such a thing as too many clamps?
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2012, 02:24:33 am »
I know I could use a lot more clamps.  I have 2 each of the 6", 12", 24" bar clamps and 2 of the 4' clamps all from Harbor Freight. and the few that I do have I use all over the shop.  When I do glue ups I have to go and snag them from what I use them for every day.
It would be nice to walk in and wipe Harbor Freight out like that.

Wood_Jedi

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Re: Is there truly such a thing as too many clamps?
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2012, 10:38:35 am »
The thing I like about Harbor Freight is that the clamps are a lifetime guarantee tool...If one should happen to break or go bad, take it back and it is replaced, free, with no hassles and no need to have a receipt... Can't beat that..

Wood_Jedi aka
Laney Shaughnessy, Craftsman

Michael Borg

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Re: Is there truly such a thing as too many clamps?
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2012, 12:08:55 am »
I have taken them back. it was one of the quick clamps and it snaped in my hand. took it back and upgraded to a bar clamp no problem
 

eng35ine

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Re: Is there truly such a thing as too many clamps?
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2012, 09:10:03 am »
i have had a few different style clamps from harbor freight. i have to say that i have been very unhappy with them. the bar clamps move away from the work piece as i tighten them and the quick clamps just stop clamping when i start pumping them. my favorite clamps in my shop are my cast iron bar clamps. very nice and can apply  a ton of clamping force if there is a bow in the wood. plus it is great to have clamps cheaply that can be 10' long.