Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: javeryh on October 03, 2006, 10:33:54 pm

Title: Where can I buy good cheap clamps?
Post by: javeryh on October 03, 2006, 10:33:54 pm

Preferrably 24" or more.  Does anyone know where I can order some?  Thanks!!

Title: Re: Where can I buy good cheap clamps?
Post by: Nannuu on October 04, 2006, 10:15:46 am

Harbor Freight if you have one nearby.  They have decent sales.  Not the best quality though.

Title: Re: Where can I buy good cheap clamps?
Post by: ChadTower on October 04, 2006, 10:26:16 am

For 24" or more I'd probably use pipe clamps.  Cheap, variable to any length.

Title: Re: Where can I buy good cheap clamps?
Post by: nostrebor on October 05, 2006, 02:08:40 pm

Pipe clamps are cumbersome and overkill for a 24" throat. I would use the F-style clamps from Harbor Freight or the aluminum bar clamps from Harbor freight. Either can be had quite cheap when on sale and both are reasonably decent for the dollars spent. I have 2 dozen pairs of each style in different length. I just buy 2 at a time if I'm in HF and they are on sale.

If you decide to go full woodworker spend some dollars on clamps. Get a Bessey cabinet maker set or something comparable.

F-type clamp:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=5976

Bar clamp:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38183

Avoid buying the "Quick-Grip" style clamps from HF. They are not good at all.

Title: Re: Where can I buy good cheap clamps?
Post by: Nannuu on October 05, 2006, 02:24:44 pm

I have quite a few sets of "good" clamps and the a bunch of HF clamps for clamping in between.  I've found that the HF's tend to slip some, or bend or something.  For the price, they work for most of the junk I do.

Title: Re: Where can I buy good cheap clamps?
Post by: Gambit on October 06, 2006, 12:12:42 am

I must have 30 clamps of various types and sizes.

Its funny that I have that many when I only do woodworking as a hobby.

Title: Re: Where can I buy good cheap clamps?
Post by: prOk on October 08, 2006, 01:05:32 am

A good clamp is worth the money.. you want a hardened steel clamp.. you can get the 'f' style at just about any home center that is hardened for about 15 bucks each in 24 inch length.     Stay away from the crapola at harbor freight as you will experience slippage, the clamps will bow and as a result throw your project out of square as it mars the side of whatever you're clamping.

Title: Re: Where can I buy good cheap clamps?
Post by: Xam on October 14, 2006, 07:50:26 pm

Quote from: javeryh on October 03, 2006, 10:33:54 pm

Preferrably 24" or more.  Does anyone know where I can order some?  Thanks!!

HF does have some decent clamps...and some bad ones. The ones made by Pittsburgh at HF are nice for the price. If you want to spend some money on them Jorgensen or Irwin are nice.

Xam

Title: Re: Where can I buy good cheap clamps?
Post by: ChadTower on October 16, 2006, 10:50:47 am

Quote from: nostrebor on October 05, 2006, 02:08:40 pm

Pipe clamps are cumbersome and overkill for a 24" throat.

Probably true.  I tend to use them because I already have pipes for them in various lengths because old pins often need rework in the cabinet itself.