Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
It's Friday night and I'm in the mood to share another product review with my Garage Journal friends. Tonight's review is the TeCo 5/8", 1/2"-13, 52pc machinist clamp set # 20402PL. This will be a brief tool usage and individual product review.
I purchased this set recently from Zoro for $64.81 shipped after utilizing a 20% off coupon. Here is a link to TeCo's machinist clamp sets: http://catalog.te-co.com/viewitems/clamping-kits/machinist-clamp-kits The 20402PL set isn't listed on their site, as I *think* it's a budget oriented set made for retail (more on that later).
So why do you need a machinist clamp set? Well, they are really handy for doing setups on your machine tools and fabrication tables. In my case, I use them primarily on a Jet 3/4hp 15" drill press and a CertiFlat welding table. They are most commonly used on mills and can also be found in fixturing at certain fab shops. I was first introduced to machinist clamps when I took manual machining courses a while back, and I instantly wanted a set.
This particular set caught my attention because it is Made in the USA (plastic holder made in Taiwan) and rather affordable. For example, the Chinese HF equivalent is $40 after coupon, so an extra $20 buys you a quality set. What sets apart a quality set vs. a cheaper import set is the quality of the threading, how square the pieces fit in T-slots (important to not damage a mill table), and how the studs don't extend past the base of the T-nut and dig into your mill table. Getting back to my earlier comments about it being a budget set, the kit comes with a plastic holder, there are no wrench flats on the studs, and no T-slot cleaning tool. For me, none of this is a big deal. On the import sets I've used with **** threading, the lack of wrench flats was a big deal, however this set has only ever required (1) 7/8" wrench. When buying a set, you want to measure the T-slots on your particular table and size them accordingly (the most common size is 5/8").
What's included:
Holder showed up cracked, but still usable:
How they are used:
Tonight's project was a quick one, but I needed a round cap, so I made one with a Blair Holecuter. This is an odd use, and a setup I wouldn't typically do, but I needed pictures for this write up. As you can see, my drill press has T-slots on the table. The first thing to do is insert a T-nut into the slot and thread a stud into it. Put a clamp over the stud, teeth facing down. Position a step block under your clamp so the teeth are interlocking, and thread a flange nut onto the stud. You want your clamp to be as close to horizontal as you can get it, with the slightly higher side being the angle block side. This will provide maximum clamping force without trying to push out your work piece. A 7/8" wrench will snug your work piece down very tightly.
Here is another image of how they can be used on a fab table or fixture station. I love using them when I'm trying to hold stuff as square as possible or when a traditional C-clamp can't be used. Once you have a set you will find all kinds of clever uses for them. They really excel when it comes to clamping odd stuff, or stuff that doesn't fit well in a vise.
Pro's:
-Made in USA
-Affordable
-Great finish
-Excellent threading
-Enough size variance and # of components for most jobs
-Very flexible in their usage
-Excellent clamping force
Con's:
-Damn plastic holder showed up broken (still usable)
-No wrench flats on studs (not a big deal to me)
-Setup can take longer than other clamping methods
-Round objects can be difficult to clamp down
In summary, I find a lot of uses for machinists clamps. Depending on your tools, you might find them helpful as well. If so, I'm more than happy with the TeCo set, and I'd definitely recommend it.
I purchased this set recently from Zoro for $64.81 shipped after utilizing a 20% off coupon. Here is a link to TeCo's machinist clamp sets: http://catalog.te-co.com/viewitems/clamping-kits/machinist-clamp-kits The 20402PL set isn't listed on their site, as I *think* it's a budget oriented set made for retail (more on that later).
So why do you need a machinist clamp set? Well, they are really handy for doing setups on your machine tools and fabrication tables. In my case, I use them primarily on a Jet 3/4hp 15" drill press and a CertiFlat welding table. They are most commonly used on mills and can also be found in fixturing at certain fab shops. I was first introduced to machinist clamps when I took manual machining courses a while back, and I instantly wanted a set.
This particular set caught my attention because it is Made in the USA (plastic holder made in Taiwan) and rather affordable. For example, the Chinese HF equivalent is $40 after coupon, so an extra $20 buys you a quality set. What sets apart a quality set vs. a cheaper import set is the quality of the threading, how square the pieces fit in T-slots (important to not damage a mill table), and how the studs don't extend past the base of the T-nut and dig into your mill table. Getting back to my earlier comments about it being a budget set, the kit comes with a plastic holder, there are no wrench flats on the studs, and no T-slot cleaning tool. For me, none of this is a big deal. On the import sets I've used with **** threading, the lack of wrench flats was a big deal, however this set has only ever required (1) 7/8" wrench. When buying a set, you want to measure the T-slots on your particular table and size them accordingly (the most common size is 5/8").
What's included:
Holder showed up cracked, but still usable:
How they are used:
Tonight's project was a quick one, but I needed a round cap, so I made one with a Blair Holecuter. This is an odd use, and a setup I wouldn't typically do, but I needed pictures for this write up. As you can see, my drill press has T-slots on the table. The first thing to do is insert a T-nut into the slot and thread a stud into it. Put a clamp over the stud, teeth facing down. Position a step block under your clamp so the teeth are interlocking, and thread a flange nut onto the stud. You want your clamp to be as close to horizontal as you can get it, with the slightly higher side being the angle block side. This will provide maximum clamping force without trying to push out your work piece. A 7/8" wrench will snug your work piece down very tightly.
Here is another image of how they can be used on a fab table or fixture station. I love using them when I'm trying to hold stuff as square as possible or when a traditional C-clamp can't be used. Once you have a set you will find all kinds of clever uses for them. They really excel when it comes to clamping odd stuff, or stuff that doesn't fit well in a vise.
Pro's:
-Made in USA
-Affordable
-Great finish
-Excellent threading
-Enough size variance and # of components for most jobs
-Very flexible in their usage
-Excellent clamping force
Con's:
-Damn plastic holder showed up broken (still usable)
-No wrench flats on studs (not a big deal to me)
-Setup can take longer than other clamping methods
-Round objects can be difficult to clamp down
In summary, I find a lot of uses for machinists clamps. Depending on your tools, you might find them helpful as well. If so, I'm more than happy with the TeCo set, and I'd definitely recommend it.
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