What do you use 9R's for?

[bad_idea]

I bought a pair of vise grip 9R's (older USA ones) at the flea market for $4. I fit steel for a living on Navy ships. I swear I have never seen a pair of these used. Could someone post up a pic of them in action or explain their finer points? I understand they clamp steel for welding, but I just don't see how they are useful. I have a dozen or so pairs of 11R's and use the hell out of them. What are the 9R's best suited for?

 

[Trucky]

Don't have a pair. Think I got one of every other style though.. might have to do with me not knowing how to weld anything.

This is about all I could find:

I'd love to know what they mean about the first part of the description for the 9R though.

Irwin PDF thing guide

 

[zkling]

Sheet metal work. I have one pair. Real handy for clamping when welding flat sections that need to be welded all around. They give you quite a bit of access, even when clamped, unlike a standard single point of contact clamp.

I have built a few door/frame type things for people that have a sheet metal tacked to the face. VERY handy for that. For $4 I would have purchased them in a heart beat, would like to have another pair, but will not pay that much new for a non USA made set, you don't see them in the used market much.

 

[ZRX61]

Real handy for autobody & other fabrication.

 

[BJ42LX]

No idea. But they are on my Amazon wish list...

 

[Outlawmws]

Much lighter work than you are used to. As said, basically sheet metal, Allows one clamp to hold a section, and you to be able to tack weld between the "tongs" I will be using all 5 pair I have getting the piano hinge spot welded back onto a tool box project...

 

[kunkernator]

Much lighter work than you are used to. As said, basically sheet metal, Allows one clamp to hold a section, and you to be able to tack weld between the "tongs" I will be using all 5 pair I have getting the piano hinge spot welded back onto a tool box project...

This. It is kinda deceiving by the stock image, but it allows you to clamp two pieces together while having access to tack weld. They are very useful for sheet metal work. They are on my wish list, and from what I know they are mostly used for welding.

Better image to suit description....

 

[thinmac]

I've got a set of these in my shop, but I honestly never use them. I have found it much more useful to build a custom clamp using a pair of their regular clamps. I have made these for many purposes, including tacking sheet metal, and have found that a custom clamp always works better than anything off-the-shelf. When I'm done I just cut off my modifications, and the clamps are ready to become something else. For example, I have recently been using a set I made to hold round tube for tacking **** joints:

 

[ilovevocs]

I've got a set of these in my shop, but I honestly never use them. I have found it much more useful to build a custom clamp using a pair of their regular clamps. I have made these for many purposes, including tacking sheet metal, and have found that a custom clamp always works better than anything off-the-shelf. When I'm done I just cut off my modifications, and the clamps are ready to become something else. For example, I have recently been using a set I made to hold round tube for tacking **** joints:

I never thought of modifying a clamp like that. Great idea.

 

[bad_idea]

I like the pipe **** clamp rig thinmac. I never thought to use two pairs in a "custom clamp" setup. That opens a whole world of possibilities.

 

[crewchief888]

Sheet metal work. I have one pair. Real handy for clamping when welding flat sections that need to be welded all around. They give you quite a bit of access, even when clamped, unlike a standard single point of contact clamp.

I have built a few door/frame type things for people that have a sheet metal tacked to the face. VERY handy for that. For $4 I would have purchased them in a heart beat, would like to have another pair, but will not pay that much new for a non USA made set, you don't see them in the used market much.

i grabbed a pair a couple weeks ago for $4 at a flea mkt.

tossed a pair of NT cheapies the same day...

what a coincidence

 

[otis66]

There used for welding.

 

[STGFordCrazy04]

I've got 5 pair of those and use them as mentioned. Sheet metal and thin welding projects where the larger c clamp style aren't as useful. If you don't have any I'm sure you get by just fine. If you've got 10 pair I'm sure you keep your eyes open for a deal on a few more. I wouldn't recommend buying just one pair though.