RJsumthn Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 I was just at Lowe's and picked up this clamp set for $20. http://www.lowes.com/pd_409558-281-1851480_4294857578__?productId=4009979&Ns=p_product_avg_rating|1 It comes with two 4 1/4", two 6", and two 12" quick grip clamps. It says it is originally $40 and the package says it's a $66 retail value. I'm new to woodworking and only had two clamps before this so for me this was a great find. Hurry the deal ends tomorrow, November 21st. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBaker Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Nice heads-up, RJ. You can never have too many clamps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJsumthn Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 That's what I keep hearing. I opened the set and the little 4 1/4' clamp made me chuckle. It's so tiny, it looks like a toy. But they will be perfect for clamping sacrificial fences and stop blocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 I wish they'd put the XP's on sale...those are the mac daddy quick clamps. The ones you got are good for "extra hand" kind of stuff, but they just don't offer much in the way of clamping pressure. The XP's could turn coal into a diamond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJsumthn Posted November 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2012 I wish they'd put the XP's on sale...those are the mac daddy quick clamps. The ones you got are good for "extra hand" kind of stuff, but they just don't offer much in the way of clamping pressure. The XP's could turn coal into a diamond. Yea I know that the regular quick clamps don't have much clamping pressure but I'm sure they will be used. They are better than no clamps at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikepdarr Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 They have 100lbs of clamping pressure. So the box says. If much more is needed maybe a new cut or joint is needed. I picked up three sets while I was there. Like RJ said, the little clamps are like toys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 They have 100lbs of clamping pressure. So the box says. If much more is needed maybe a new cut or joint is needed. Gotta kinda disagree with ya there, Mike. They might be enough to clamp up a small dovetailed box or some other joint that essentially locks itself together and doesn't need much help. But I wouldn't even think about using them to glue up a lamination where glue lines are a factor and significant pressure is needed, or any other joint that requires a little extra force to pull it together. If you're assembling a project with M&T joints, and you've cut them to a perfect slip-fit, once you add glue that joint might swell and tighten up beyond the capabilities of hand pressure, a deadblow, or even 100 pounds of clamping force...at least if you want nice, tight, seamless joints. The XP clamps are rated up to 550lbs, and Jet parallel clamps up to 1,000...and there have been times when I would have liked even more than my Jets offer (the slab glue-ups on my Roubo come to mind immediately...there's no WAY those Irwin Quickclamps could have done that job). And on top of all that, I don't think the 100lb rating for those is even accurate...they might apply 100lbs while your hand is on the grip and you're squeezing with all your might, but it seems like as soon as you let go of the grip they back off on the pressure significantly. The XP's don't do that...the pressure remains constant after you release your grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikepdarr Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 I agree with lamination, more pressure is needed. Tight seamless joints should be able to be pulled together with minimal clamping force, if they are cut right. Not saying I am perfect at cutting. Just saying in a prefect world that should be a possibility. If you have to apply that much force, there is a bend or a bow or some other imperfect joint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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