thesilverone
Well-known member
are there any made in USA? If not, any alternatives? I want to build some ******** wooden bases for the summer.
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pistol-grip bar clamps
- Thread starter thesilverone
- Start date
byoungblood
Well-known member
If you can find some of the pre-Irwin grip clamps (or whatever they're called) they're USA made. Once Irwin bought them out, I assume they farmed out production overseas. I have some of both and the newer ones have no COO markings on them.
My only gripe with them is that they do have a tendency to flex a little when tightened, which in turn can sometimes make the workpiece move out of position.
My only gripe with them is that they do have a tendency to flex a little when tightened, which in turn can sometimes make the workpiece move out of position.
BQuicksilver
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2006
- Messages
- 560
I have both versions of the Irwins. I have to say there was no change in quality on that particular tool. My US ones are all black plastic and the china ones have some blue plastic.
They are good tools. They are quick, grip well, and a good weight. They do flex a bit, but move the piece less than the screw-down type of bar clamps.
For the BEST clamps, get Bessey parallel bar clamps.
They are good tools. They are quick, grip well, and a good weight. They do flex a bit, but move the piece less than the screw-down type of bar clamps.
For the BEST clamps, get Bessey parallel bar clamps.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Stay away from the HF ones ! The stop/hold mechanism is plastic and will break when you really clamp down !
OP
thesilverone
Well-known member
american lockpicker
Banned
Look for old Irwin ones. Also Bessey are made in Germany.
Steevo
Well-known member
+1 on the Bessey's, available at Woodcraft stores and some Lowes stores.
I have a half dozen of the old Irwins, and lots of the new imported ones, and although the old ones seem sturdier, they also don't have the removable end that you can swap around to make it a spreader like the newer imported ones have.
I have a half dozen of the old Irwins, and lots of the new imported ones, and although the old ones seem sturdier, they also don't have the removable end that you can swap around to make it a spreader like the newer imported ones have.