C clamp junkies?

[srmofo]

I think Im developing a new addiction to clamps. In the past 3 weeks I think Ive spent about $200 on clamps. Some were old use USA clamps and my most recent score was 4 BNIB 8" wiltons, sadly only 2 were USA. But they're still robust and Im sure will work just fine for the rest of my life.

I also discovered my step dad has a soft spot for the small hand held jewelers vises/ clamps. He said he buys them up anytime he finds them.

Maybe Ill post some pics tomorrow, depending on how this thread goes.

Anyone else into clamps?

 

[SC67]

I've been picking up a lot of C clamps lately too. Last week I bought 2 old 6" Wiltons for a dollar each!

 

[Griff93]

I probably have 30 of them and still don't have enough. I've been thinking about trying out those Kant Twist clamps shortly.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think Im developing a new addiction to clamps. In the past 3 weeks I think Ive spent about $200 on clamps. Some were old use USA clamps and my most recent score was 4 BNIB 8" wiltons, sadly only 2 were USA. But they're still robust and Im sure will work just fine for the rest of my life.

I also discovered my step dad has a soft spot for the small hand held jewelers vises/ clamps. He said he buys them up anytime he finds them.

Maybe Ill post some pics tomorrow, depending on how this thread goes.

Anyone else into clamps?

You must have missed the pics in Jack's 12 ga garage. That guy has alot of clamps, and I can't fathom trying to catch up.

 

[srmofo]

You must have missed the pics in Jack's 12 ga garage. That guy has alot of clamps, and I can't fathom trying to catch up.

Actually I think that is what inspired me to start collecting the larger clamps. Im starting to get to the point that I dont really "need" more, but it sure is nice to have more. Maybe Ill just lower my threshhold on what I consider a good deal and only buy them when I can get them for less than that.

 

[bigcaddy]

I probably have 30 of them and still don't have enough. I've been thinking about trying out those Kant Twist clamps shortly.

These are excellent for any kind of welding!!. I was lucky enough to pick up about a half dozen at a yard sale last year. I gave my dad 4 and kept 2 for myself.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Most of the time, they just sit there. But when you do need them, you need them.

And once you have them, it's surprising how many non-metal-fab uses they have (especially the 12" and 18" ones).

 

[Ign]

Except for budget constraints or the super duty ship-building C-clamps which you crank down with a socket, I can't see why anyone has a use for standard C-clamps anymore......and with Strong Hand stuff even the budget argument is hardly valid (altho I use Besseys). The sliding F clamps are all I use. I've got some basic C-clamps that I haven't touched in at least 4 years.

Kant Twist is useful in certain situations.

 

[Outlawmws]

Actually I think that is what inspired me to start collecting the larger clamps. Im starting to get to the point that I dont really "need" more, but it sure is nice to have more. Maybe Ill just lower my threshhold on what I consider a good deal and only buy them when I can get them for less than that.

I've been on this path for some time. I generally have "enough", whatever that is, but I still buy good ones, interesting ones, and old clamps that have character (like wing nuts instead of bars), I have two drawers for just C clamps, one for the "Daily Drivers" and another for the old guys, but they still get used.

Then we get into the pipe clamps, Screw clamps, spring clamps, even a few bar clamps. what's not to like! its like portable vises!

 

[fflintstone]

Never enough and less than half of what I have.

By fflintstone at 2011-07-15

By fflintstone at 2011-06-17

 

[cbacres]

I to pick then up all the time for a couple of bucks. Cant beat it for old wiltons and the like.

I also like the butterfly handle ones. They were the ones I went to today, using it to clamp 2xs for a chicken house Im building. ( for the chickens, not others things, I know of all the like minded people on here and that where my mind would of gone)

I sand blasted most of mine and painted them. Just another touch to a nice shop.

Does anyone know where to get new pads that snap on the balls of the clamps? I'm missing a few.

I'll keep buying, may have to get another box for them. Darn.

 

[Outlawmws]

I clean mine up for use too. I hate getting dirtier than needed just because the tools are...

Every so often I'll catch up and paint the new arrivals with tool gray unless they have a good amount of the original paint.

The Daily drivers, mix or newer and older, along with the OTC ball joint press I picked up recently that I will use more for U joints...:

The older ones:

 

[JASTECH]

I thought them pads go on via heating the pad, then when expanded enough tapped onto the ball? I have the soft pads for bar clamps like Pony and Quick Grip ect. I too have a couple or 3 "C" clamps missing the pad. I thought about welding a slug to one side of a properly sized nut, then heat it and tap onto clamp?

 

[Outlawmws]

I thought them pads go on via heating the pad, then when expanded enough tapped onto the ball? I have the soft pads for bar clamps like Pony and Quick Grip ect. I too have a couple or 3 "C" clamps missing the pad. I thought about welding a slug to one side of a properly sized nut, then heat it and tap onto clamp?

I think those go onto the ball and are then swaged to get a little wrap on the ball.

 

[Alchymist]

Except for budget constraints or the super duty ship-building C-clamps which you crank down with a socket, I can't see why anyone has a use for standard C-clamps anymore......and with Strong Hand stuff even the budget argument is hardly valid (altho I use Besseys). The sliding F clamps are all I use. I've got some basic C-clamps that I haven't touched in at least 4 years.

Kant Twist is useful in certain situations.

"....I can't see why anyone has a use for standard C-clamps anymore......"

 

[supersteve]

Funny this thread should come up, I just got started on my c-clamp collection upgrade. My nice old yardsale Wilton disappeared a few months back and I just gave away my few Chinese clamps. The new replacements just got here from Epsteins: two each of basic four and six inch Adjustables and one seriously hefty six inch Jorgensen "body" clamp. As an afterthought, I threw a Jorgensen two inch from the closeout list into the order.

I noticed they're now pushing these: http://store.harryepstein.com/c/GrossStabil.html

 

[XaqNautilus]

I am not a big fan of conventional C clamps but I love my pair of vise grip C clamps. In my trade I have to work off a ladder a lot so getting the piece clamped in place quickly is ideal. They are life savers!

I see some very nice C clamps ITT.

 

[srmofo]

I thought them pads go on via heating the pad, then when expanded enough tapped onto the ball? I have the soft pads for bar clamps like Pony and Quick Grip ect. I too have a couple or 3 "C" clamps missing the pad. I thought about welding a slug to one side of a properly sized nut, then heat it and tap onto clamp?

they have a little round piece of spring steel down in there. I believe you just postion everything and crank them down. This pushes everything together.

I know wilton still makes pads, but you need to buy there are different sizes, so you need the part number for the clamp to buy the right one. Im sure other brands are still making them too.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002EY3ZVG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[davesnothere]

I've had a few small ones for as long as I care to remember, and just picked up a large williams one last weekend in a pawn shop for next to nothing. I recall saying to myself, "Self, we should probably get some more of these things." I'm not sure why yet, but I'm sure I will be glad to have them at some point.

 

[fflintstone]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#c-clamp-pads/=h83qa1

not cheap, but bobs your uncle

 

[dwp99]

How about a Monkey on a Stick? These things come in handy.

http://www.wescotools.com/p-11008-alc-keysco-77043-monkey-on-a-stick-jack-set.aspx

 

[Outlawmws]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#c-clamp-pads/=h83qa1

not cheap, but bobs your uncle

Nice to know they are available, but note that those are for clamps of about 5" or larger and probably > 1/2" threaded shafts or so. But for that $$ you probably wouldn't want to bother with smaller ones.