Are all machinist clamp sets created equal?

[stephen4785]

I want to buy a set of machinist clamps but the price seems to vary from $40-200. Are the cheap sets any good? Im not doing any machining. Just using them to hold down material to my drill press or welding table top.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/58-PC-PRO-S...1?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item19e7d6df35
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TE-CO-20402...9?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item4acd21536d
http://toolmonger.com/2008/04/30/palmgren-clamping-kit/

 

[tbaggz]

Yes they are all equal.just get magnet bars from harbor freight.

 

[devoncoolman]

The cheap set will perform well for you. We use the cheap sets on our bridgeports. Never broken anything. If handled with care and not using power tools and not severly overtightening them the will last forever.

 

[mechan]

Te-Co sells a USA made kit for $85.

http://www.westtool.com/default.asp...tomerpages/prod_page_te-co_clamping_kits.html

 

[mbatarga]

Enco - $34.95

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=505-6544&PMPXNO=950106&PARTPG=INLMK32

 

[Grigg]

I have a relatively cheap set and the T-nuts were complete ****, not machined to correct size and not square, unusable. Seller gladly exchanged the nuts for good quality ones. The rest of the set was decent.

In the future I'll buy US made or be sure to see them in person before purchasing.

 

[gtermini]

The cheap sets are ****. When you crank down on them, the teeth on the step blocks crumble like sand. The thread fitment ***** and are usually tapped crooked. Spend a little extra up front, and you'll get a lot more enjoyment out of your purchase.

Greyson

 

[justanengineer]

HELL NO!!

T-nuts need to be a pretty close fit to the table theyre used with, otherwise they tear up the underside/inside of the T-slots and/or actually open them upward. Beyond that, some of the cheapies have T-nuts that are tapped all the way through. In actual use, the threaded posts should bottom out in the T-nut without passing through.

If youve ever seen a table that had rough T-slots that were a PITA to push T-nuts through and wonder why, assclowns using **** nuts is usually the reason.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

HELL NO!!

T-nuts need to be a pretty close fit to the table theyre used with, otherwise they tear up the underside/inside of the T-slots and/or actually open them upward. Beyond that, some of the cheapies have T-nuts that are tapped all the way through. In actual use, the threaded posts should bottom out in the T-nut without passing through.

If youve ever seen a table that had rough T-slots that were a PITA to push T-nuts through and wonder why, assclowns using **** nuts is usually the reason.

How do you fix this? I have a cheap set of T-nuts and a beat to **** table on my Bridgeport. I can't even get the T-nuts though some of the slots. I am not sure if it is the nuts, the table or both.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Anyone who tightens a hold down tight enough to distort a T slot in a machine table needs to find a new profession tightening down the upper cap on steam turbines.