C-clamp

[monomach]

I get C clamps at garage sales for a buck or two pretty often. You just have to wire wheel the rust off and oil the screw on all of them.

Yard sales/Estate sales.

Lemme give you some advice- Never pass up old skool US Made clamps at these sales. Talk the seller down if you must.

They ain't making clamps in the US any more. Jorgensen might make a few, but the sales from here on out will force them to throw everything to China to lower the price.

Jorgy C-clamps, pipe clamps, spring clamps and hand screws are the ultimate in those styles of clamps. None better. Last a lifetime and 3 more. But the price for them new is high and climbing.

Who will pay $9 for a 6" C-clamp that is orange and US Made when they can buy 3 of them at HF for the same $9?

Menard's has big bins full of US C clamps. Hundreds on the shelf at each store. They're 3 mixed up brands, but all owned by the same company and made in Chicago. Pony/Jorgensen/Adjustable Clamp Co. The price is high compared to Chinese, but it's really competitive during the Made in the US sales they run. I think they were all around half price during the last one.

 

[Jim Sperry]

Holy resurfaced thread, Batman! Lookie what Sperry dredged up from the depths!

I've got c-clamp questions. Manufacture questions, materials, etc. I buy when the deals come up. Just got seven mixed including these excellent four - $22 delivered. They look like another I have that says Made In USA but these do not.

How do I know if they are malleable or drop forged? Any idea on maker?

Love the material, smooth in the hand. The thread is shinier. Different steel?



How about these?

 

[Outlawmws]

If the screws are plated almost certainly Asian. I've broken some Craftsman C clamps, so those were certainly Gray cast iron, not malleable...

 

[fishwatcher]

I picked up several C-clamps today plus a Craftsman 12 oz mallet, for $20. I feel like I lucked out on this haul from a contractor who recently retired and is passing along his tools.

Here I have two of each: Adjustable 1460-6”, Cincinnati Hargrave 3 No 44, tiny brand unknown 66721 1.25” and a single Unbreakable Made in USA (forgot to check the other side).

I don’t know anything about these clamps.. but they seem like they are high quality USA made. At least a few of them are.

 

[Outlawmws]

Adjustable Clamp made good stuff. they stopped just a couple of years ago. Our local Ace had them till they stopped.

I still pick them up when I see them cheap, and I have 54 of them. That's about 20% of my C Clamps, by far the most of any brand, Cincinnati is in second.

 

[Dozerhand]

Kant-Twist. Buy once,cry once

 

[Outlawmws]

Kant-Twist.

Yep, got 10 KT's and one Kant Kink.

 

[Shiftless]

Let’s pump some more life into this zombie thread.

Here is my matched pair of Hargrave 5 inch clamps. After a bath in Evaporust, I wire brushed them a little, hit them with a light coat of primer and then 3 coats of satin English Brown metallic paint from Modern Masters.
My go to technique for cleaning threads is jute twine soaked in lightweight oil. Just cut off about 2 feet and pull it back and forth over the threads.

 

[fishwatcher]

6” Adjustable C clamp put to work with a Workmate as I finally painted an old Wilton Bullet 9300 vise today.

 

[Kuma601]

I was recently thinking of some of the cheap azz clamps acquired over the years. I keep coming back to the old Adjustable and wish I bought more.

Kant Twist are great but $$$, ouch.

 

[Shiftless]

As promised, I just posted a pic of 2 of my old clamps 2 posts up ^ (Sunday night)

I learned that the Hargrave company was active from 1925-1955
The butterfly or mouse ears shaped handle probably dates those clamps to the earlier half of that time span doesn’t it? Do any of you guys know when most manufacturers moved to the modern sliding rod handle?

 

[RTM]

Looks like they offered both in 1960 still. Looks like the standard was sliding, wing was special on this page, but others had one or the other

The Cincinnati Tool Co. : Hargrave Tested Tools : General Catalog No. 80 : The Cincinnati Tool Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

56 p., illus., 27.5 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[fishwatcher]

My go to technique for cleaning threads is jute twine soaked in lightweight oil. Just cut off about 2 feet and pull it back and forth over the threads.

Really nice! I like the tip with the twine.

I cleaned up a pair of 3” Hargrave C clamps and was thinking of painting them. I’ll probably use the left over Hammered black from my Bullet vise restore.

Anybody know what these little 1.25 c-clamps are? They have 66721 on them, but I have no clue what brand they are or anything else about them, other than their opening size.

Thanks for reading.

 

[RTM]

I would guess fairly recent imports with the metric marking.

 

[fishwatcher]

How are Wilton 540A c-clamps?

This deal seem too good to be true. 6 Wilton heavy duty carriage 6” clamps for $52.99.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/wilton-540a-series-carriage-c-clamps-6-pcs-0-6in-opening-model-540a-6-78249

There are other Wilton deals too from 13.99 for 3” to 34.99 for 4”. How do they compare with other used or new options?

Any experience with these different clamps or with NorthernTool.com?

Thanks.

 

[RTM]

Those are Super Juniors, a style taken from the Hargrave / Cincinnati Tool product line. These are not the normal Cast C Clamps you are probably thinking of. You can see the difference between the two on this page.

I think in the small size up to4", they are competent clamps. Not sure if the 6" size would be comparable in strength to a Cast 6" Clamp

The Cincinnati Tool Co. : Hargrave Tested Tools : General Catalog No. 80 : The Cincinnati Tool Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

56 p., illus., 27.5 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Back then, they didn't make them that big it appears

 

[fishwatcher]

Those are Super Juniors, a style taken from the Hargrave / Cincinnati Tool product line. These are not the normal Cast C Clamps you are probably thinking of. You can see the difference between the two on this page.

I think in the small size up to4", they are competent clamps. Not sure if the 6" size would be comparable in strength to a Cast 6" Clamp

The Cincinnati Tool Co. : Hargrave Tested Tools : General Catalog No. 80 : The Cincinnati Tool Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

56 p., illus., 27.5 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Back then, they didn't make them that big it appears

Thanks. What about the ductile iron 540A series? Those look more stout. I’m thinking of the 4” size.

6 pieces for $35 vs $32 for 1 on Amazon.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

After years of welding and work, I never paid attention to my clamps until lately. I have gotten in the rabbit hole to research the makers and history. If anyone has any knowledge about them. That would be great. Thanks.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

And a few more. Thanks.

 

[RTM]

The Stearns is in ITCL, might be a quilt clamp, the red looks like a Stanley cheapie I had, B&C is Brinks and Cotton, now a Wilton label. Cincinnati is also Hargrave, in the ITCL,

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

The Stearns is in ITCL, might be a quilt clamp, the red looks like a Stanley cheapie I had, B&C is Brinks and Cotton, now a Wilton label. Cincinnati is also Hargrave, in the ITCL,

Thanks RTM. I was looking for the Hardgrave mfg.

 

[jives]

I've picked up 5-6 C-clamps at the local Reuse store over the past year, largest is only about 5 inches, but at $1-$2 each, I'll take'em all. A recent pick up was a 4" aluminum clamp. Most have USA stamped on them, including a couple of Cincinnati branded.

 

[RTM]

I've picked up 5-6 C-clamps at the local Reuse store over the past year, largest is only about 5 inches, but at $1-$2 each, I'll take'em all. A recent pick up was a 4" aluminum clamp. Most have USA stamped on them, including a couple of Cincinnati branded.

The Cincy's are good, even the little one that Mike showed just above. I think I have 4 or 6 of them in 2 sizes.

 

[fishwatcher]

I picked up a 12” Armstrong No. 412 S today. At 2X the opening size of my 6” “Adjustable” c-clamps.. I thought it’ll be big.. and I don’t really need it.. but it’ll be fun to clean up and to add to my meager collection. Plus it could come in handy one day?!

Anybody have info on approx year it might have been available? What would it be worth if I clean it up and sell it? I’m thinking of using BLO as a finish.

I know people have way bigger c-clamps in this forum but this one is a beast in my book. It took up the whole seat in my car.



Here it is by itself with a few closeups.


And a picture with 6”, 4” and 1.25” vintage USA made c-clamps.

 

[Outlawmws]

Actually 12" is very big for a C-clamp. Mine go up to 8" and I only have 4 of those. (I have 273 C-clamps...) larger that that is likely bar and pipe clamp territory.

Value - look at Eprey and the like for sold prices for guidance but know that selling locally drops practical market and usually price

 

[RTM]

Anybody have info on approx year it might have been available? What would it be worth if I clean it up and sell it? I’m thinking of using BOL as a finish.

I’d start here looking for age.

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

 

[fishwatcher]

I’d start here looking for age.

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

Thanks @RTM , this is great. I found the No. 412 “S” is a spatter resistant version of their *********** pattern clamps.

This is from their 1948 catalog.

 

[Cabbagepulley]

I picked up a 12” Armstrong No. 412 S today. At 2X the opening size of my 6” “Adjustable” c-clamps.. I thought it’ll be big.. and I don’t really need it.. but it’ll be fun to clean up and to add to my meager collection. Plus it could come in handy one day?! Esp for only $15.

Anybody have info on approx year it might have been available? What would it be worth if I clean it up and sell it? I’m thinking of using BOL as a finish.

I know people have way bigger c-clamps in this forum but this one is a beast in my book. It took up the whole seat in my car.



Here it is by itself with a few closeups.


And a picture with 6”, 4” and 1.25” vintage USA made c-clamps.

That’s some clampage right there buddy! If it were mine, I’d clean it up good, file/sand where needed then go for a “new from the the store” look with a gloss, light gray paint. The other ones ya have there look great too!

 

[mike93lx]

How are Wilton 540A c-clamps?

This deal seem too good to be true. 6 Wilton heavy duty carriage 6” clamps for $52.99.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/wilton-540a-series-carriage-c-clamps-6-pcs-0-6in-opening-model-540a-6-78249

There are other Wilton deals too from 13.99 for 3” to 34.99 for 4”. How do they compare with other used or new options?

Any experience with these different clamps or with NorthernTool.com?

Thanks.

Northern tool is completely legit. They have brick and mortar stores in a decent chunk of the country. Kind of like a tractor supply

 

[fishwatcher]

Northern tool is completely legit. They have brick and mortar stores in a decent chunk of the country. Kind of like a tractor supply

Thanks! Those deals are no longer on their site. I didn’t get them, but probably don’t need them either.

 

[fishwatcher]

Here it is, my Armstrong 12” No. 412 S, cleaned up with a wire brush, a drill mounted steel wire wheel and nylon abrasive cup. I used a bench grinder wire wheel also, but had limited access because of location and how big this thing is.

I skipped the Krud Kutter and wiped on some Boiled Linseed Oil. You can see what it looked like before clean-up a few posts above (#64).

Not sure what I will need to clamp that will require this much iron, but I’ll be ready when that time comes .

Bought for $15 on FB marketplace.

 

[fishwatcher]

I got a six old c-clamps yesterday for $31. These are all made in the USA and all relatively stout, particularly the two Armstrongs and the Wilton.

I wirewheeled the rust off the Cincinnati Tools clamps and the Craftsman. I didn’t want to remove the paint from the Wilton, nor the patina from the Armstrong.

The Armstrongs, Wilton and Craftsman now have Fluid Film sprayed and wiped off to protect them. The Cincinnati Tools clamps were treated with Rust dissolver, brushed with a wire brush and wiped down dry. No coating yet.

I’ve used boiled linseed oil before as a sealant for metal. Thoughts on using FF vs BLO as a wipe on protectant? I could easily remove the FF and go with BLO. Or is FF a good protectant and “finish” for vintage clamps? If I use BLO, should I remove the FF, or leave it?

 

[rlitman]

...I’ve used boiled linseed oil before as a sealant for metal. Thoughts on using FF vs BLO as a wipe on protectant? I could easily remove the FF and go with BLO. Or is FF a good protectant and “finish” for vintage clamps? If I use BLO, should I remove the FF, or leave it?

FF probably gives better protection, but it will leave your hands dirtier when you handle it and picks up more dirt. If these are going to live in a conditioned space and be used in woodworking projects, BLO is better. If they're going to be used in a barn on metalworking, FF might take the edge.

 

[nadogail]

When you are building things like Boats or boxes, you too will realize that it is impossible to own too many clamps.