looking for some suggestions for nice c-clamps

[02camaro86]

just as the title states.. i am looking for a nice c clamp. i have a nice 4in, brand i cant remember but its old, heavy and built like a brick house, it was my grandfathers. im looking for something a bit large, 6in range? this will just be for general use, mostly brake services and other odds and ends.

thanks for the input!

 

[PFSard]

Here are a few threads that should point you in that direction :

C Clamp thread?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218074

C Clamp Recommendations?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256106

C-Clamp
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210736

C-Clamps
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4285841&postcount=31

 

[02camaro86]

thanks for that. i did multiple searches and could not come up with anything worth reading.

 

[Cope]

Wilton makes a nice clamp, and Armstrong and Williams both used to make heavy duty clamps. I keep an old 6" Armstrong in my brake tool drawer for stubborn caliper pistons. When I found it in a dumpster, it was missing it's sliding tee handle, so I welded a 1/2" drive socket to the screw.

I also have a couple of import clamps that are pretty nice. They are New Strong brand.

 

[AnonymousToolGuy]

I have a few HF clamps. I don't use them often or for anything heavy duty, but seem to be decent for the price.

 

[bob15]

JH Williams, Wright, Proto, Billings & Spencer, Armstrong, Kant-Twist

 

[rdn2blazer]

JH Williams, Wright, Proto, Billings & Spencer, Armstrong, Kant-Twist

All these. But large C clamps are expensive. Buy at car show swap meets, you'll get your best deals there. I have two HUGE Wilton forged C clamps that run nearly $500 each new. Paid $195 each in like new condition. Jack screw is 1 1/4 diameter.

 

[PBCampbell]

No shortage of serviceable C-clamps (or G-clamps) to be had both new and used. Most new production seems to be china except for the uber bridge clamps which wouldn't be for general use anyway.

 

[fsae0607]

I have a few HF clamps. I don't use them often or for anything heavy duty, but seem to be decent for the price.

I'm going to agree with you on this one. We use a lot of HF C-clamps at my work in our test lab and as usual in a workplace, they get abused. Haven't had one fail yet. I stocked up for my home garage and they work well for me. Good bang for the buck.

 

[davewo]

I realize my advice is not really answering your question, but have you considered Kant-twist or F-style (welder's) clamps? I think they are superior to any C-clamp unless you're counting on spending $80+ for a single clamp.

 

[garfunkle24]

Bessey F clamps all day. I don't even bother with regular c clamps any more.

 

[lilcraigford]

Are Pony clamps still made domestically? I'll have to sit down and go through the threads linked up top.

 

[rdn2blazer]

Bessey F clamps all day. I don't even bother with regular c clamps any more.

Those are bad ***, always wanted some. But pricy!

 

[Indexmill]

F clamps are great for light work and for light jobs that require different clamp sizes frequently. However, they will not clamp nearly as hard as a good C clamp.

 

[HMCFab9]

I just got a Stronghand tools F-type clamp from Enco on their 20% off sale & it's a Great clamp. I wish I would have bought more.

 

[kctyphoon]

the "Hart" c clamps at home depot seem really nice. they have the quick realease on the treaded rod, and the handle pivots to give faster initial clamping, and then more force. the 8" is like $17.


here is a review: http://www.toolboxbuzz.com/work-support/hart-c-clamp-review/

 

[astroracer]

I have a **** load of the HF C clamps. 2" up to 6". I use them hard and, surprizingly, have not broken one yet. For 3 to 6 dollars apiece (on sale) you can't go wrong here.
Mark

 

[tarbellb]

Bessey F clamps all day. I don't even bother with regular c clamps any more.

This.

Very few reasons to use a actual C-clamp anymore.

 

[garfunkle24]

F clamps are great for light work and for light jobs that require different clamp sizes frequently. However, they will not clamp nearly as hard as a good C clamp.

A rudimentary understanding of physics tells me you are correct. Experience, however, tells me that I've never needed more clamping force than I could get out of a Bessey and I do a lot of heavy work. Their bigger clamps are very, very stout.

 

[DEllis]

I have a **** load of the HF C clamps. 2" up to 6". I use them hard and, surprizingly, have not broken one yet. For 3 to 6 dollars apiece (on sale) you can't go wrong here.
Mark

I have a few HF clamps as well. I had one of the smaller clamps crack on me just from tightening it by hand. Maybe it was a fluke, but I've been careful since then about how much load I put them under.

Duncan

 

[PT Doc]

Kant twist. Super nice. They have pounds ratings but I've never seen them compared to c clamps.

 

[Bobioz1]

Can you push back brake caliper pistons or pop out some u-joints with those F clamps? Plenty of uses for C clamps. Get em a flee markets and garage sales. Less than $5 and some are forged.

 

[alan camby]

I am pretty sure Armstrong still makes them in the USA. I just bought a few more about 2 years ago and they were stamped USA. I have also ordered the c-clamps that Mcmaster-carr has and they came in Armstrong. Very well made and not to crazy of a price.
Here is my small collection. Some are Armstrong and some are old USA Craftsman. There might be one or two that are other brands.

The Black handles/threads are all Armstrong
https://scontent-a-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10940474_621199311345331_5263233001712109947_n.jpg?oh=ff1583db16bd95ff631e9bbd1128d9a8&oe=552081DE

 

[alan camby]

The 6" Armstrong that I got thru Mcmaster-carr is $35.44.
It has a holding capacity of 5,400lbs.
It is part 5027A15. You might call and verify Manufacturem they don't list most of there items manufactures on the site.
When I was looking, Nobody had them any cheaper than Mcmaster.

 

[dr_clyde]

Certain clamps for certain jobs. I love the F style clamps for general fab work. There are times when you need the throat of a big C though. The F style is also prone to loosening under shock or vibration. Think hammer blows. If speed is what you seek, look no further than a F clamp.

Kant Twist aren't really c clamps. They are cantilever clamps. They are typically used in a machine shop, and tend to be better at jobs requiring finesse and as the name implies, jaws that don't twist. This is because the screw mechanism isn't a direct drive to the pad, so it doesn't transmit rotational force.

That said, a good c clamp can be had new by Wilton and Armstrong. Used you can find Williams, Billings, Grand Tank, the list goes on.

 

[MushCreek]

I love Kant twist clamps, and have two of each from 3/4" up to 10" You better believe that that's a major investment! I don't like to use them for welding, or where they might get exposed to the weather. I have a couple Bessey F-clamps, and about 50 cheap C-clamps up to about 6". Oh yeah- and a bunch of Pony (pipe) clamps. You can't ever have enough clamps (or wrenches, or hammers, or screwdrivers, or sockets, or....)

 

[motoretro]

I purchased a dozen of the Craftsman HD C-clamps in the early 1970's and they still function and look very good. I would check out the swap meets and rummage sales for some bargains. You can usually pick them up for a a couple bucks apiece. Made in USA back then........
Motoretro

 

[Waltrip88]

Definitely hit up estate sales and swap meets.

Just yesterday I picked up around ten c clamps 6-12 inches made by brinks & cotton, malleable, wilton and Williams for a buck a piece at an estate sale. I didn't even need them but the guy running the sale said whatever wasn't sold was going to be scraped.