helping a friend clean out an old shed , and found these 2 guys in a box rusting away, couldent leve them there they needed help. so I brought them home ,they don't look like they have ever been used, no scares on them anyware ,screws are straight. soaked them with pb for about 2 weeks ,got them freed up . cleaned up on wire wheel , painted them they look like new!best part is they were FREE. just thought you minght like to see them. from what I could find out hargrave is an old brand.
found these old guys rusting awayyyy
- Thread starter geezer48
- Start date
kiatech
Well-known member
You really painted the threads?
djjsr
Well-known member
VERY nice! Not a bad price too. 
Good stuff! A lot of "C" clamps get abused and twisted.
I have a few large units similar to those, from garage sales, and they do get used from time to time.
Usually, I use the electrolysis method of freeing the rust.
I have a few large units similar to those, from garage sales, and they do get used from time to time.
Usually, I use the electrolysis method of freeing the rust.
yep sure did paint them ,light coat for rust , there corse enough to turn
They look good and the paint will come right off those threads once you start using them. 
Old Steamer
Well-known member
Nice - good job and a really great price!
ihatelaramie
Well-known member
Ya never know when they'll come in handy. I have a BUNCH of older American made clamps that I bought from a guy for $15, some are missing the cup off of the ball, half of them got some twist in em, but I've used a good majority of them at some point or another.
Holy **** . . . .you got that many FREE . . . 12 inch . . . C clamps ??!!##!$!@?
That's a massive score . . . and YOU **** !!
You will use at least one or two of those if you change disc brake pads, as they work great to compress the calipers.
If they are a burden to you, I sure would pay postage to send some my way !!
toolmaven
Well-known member
Nice clamps! Hargrave is one of the companies that eventually merged into Wilton/ Walter Meier, along with Brink & Cotton. They were good clamps, malleable or ductile iron, I think, next best to forged clamps. I have a pair like that but only 4 inch.
But, you can't beat free!
One of responses mentioned clamps missing their swivel pads. Wilton and Adjustable Clamp Company do (last I checked) sell replacement pads, but you'll have to caliper the spindle end for other brands. Failing that, I've turned a few on the lathe out of scrap bar stock, for some small, long-discontinued Williams clamps. With a big vise and appropriate "persuaders" slightly bent malleable/ ductile/ & smaller forged clamps can be straightened, too.
But, you can't beat free!
One of responses mentioned clamps missing their swivel pads. Wilton and Adjustable Clamp Company do (last I checked) sell replacement pads, but you'll have to caliper the spindle end for other brands. Failing that, I've turned a few on the lathe out of scrap bar stock, for some small, long-discontinued Williams clamps. With a big vise and appropriate "persuaders" slightly bent malleable/ ductile/ & smaller forged clamps can be straightened, too.
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justanengineer
Well-known member
Personally I prefer to wire brush and leave them raw like most of the factories made them with just a light coat of oil, but that red does look pretty good aside from the screws....nice.
Tucko
Well-known member
This makes me sad.
Bib Overalls
Well-known member
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Nice save.
Nice! I have a few dozen smaller ones that are older than yours with the Cincinnati tool logo and the H with the circle around it. Great clamps enjoy them
I looked up what the new wilton hargaves are selling for on walwart after the above post about the merger.... 116.38 for ONE CLAMP! http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wilton-Hargrave-400-Series-C-Clamps-412-12-gp-body-c-clamp/15659436
so $230 bucks worth of clamps for free not bad at all
I looked up what the new wilton hargaves are selling for on walwart after the above post about the merger.... 116.38 for ONE CLAMP! http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wilton-Hargrave-400-Series-C-Clamps-412-12-gp-body-c-clamp/15659436
so $230 bucks worth of clamps for free not bad at all
Duct Tape Man
Well-known member
Great save, glad you gave them a caring home!
JakeKohl
Well-known member
I didn't realize how big those clamps were, that makes the deal even sweeter.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Clean those threads off. The clamps look good, but even if Garage Art, the threads need to be cleaned off!!!!!!!!
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
I agree the paint on the threads kills it for me. My grandpa used to always put a light coat of vasoline on the threads of his C clamps. He said that is what they did at the railroad where he worked for 51 years.
I have used vasoline for a long time but someone turned me on to Johnsons floor wax/paste. It dries and and lasts longer, and doesn't collect dust. Both would be good options to the paint IMO
Todd.Brock
Well-known member
I liked the painted threads!! Ok no... Cool clamps!!
ddawg16
Well-known member
Here is another **** for cleaning off the threads....
And you can get to more ***** if you actually use them for something....
Or...a whole bucket of ***** if you send them to me....I WILL use them....
I sort of see rescuing old tools like that the same as taking in a stray dog....
And you can get to more ***** if you actually use them for something....
Or...a whole bucket of ***** if you send them to me....I WILL use them....
I sort of see rescuing old tools like that the same as taking in a stray dog....