G Clamps

[Gary]

I may be being a bit thick here but I am some what confused.
:? :? :? :? :? :?
Can some one explain the difference between malleable and drop forged clamps.

Are the ones from Screwfix and Toolstation worth having?

Thanks in advance.

Gary

 

[Paul Chapman]

Hi Gary,

I'll let someone else answer the malleable/drop forged bit, but just an observation on good/not so good G cramps. I've always used Record G cramps - had mine for years. Whenever I've looked at cheap ones I've often found that the swivel bit at the end of the screw (must have a name but can't think of it :? ) doesn't swivel very well. This can be a real pain as it can often result in everything moving as you tighten the cramp. Never had this problem with Record G cramps which seem to go on for ever.

Paul

 

[Scrit]

Simple. Malleable cast iron is a lot less likely to crack or break then ordinary cast iron if dropped on a stone or concrete floor. I don't think you can drop forge cast iron, can you? From my notes, "malleable cast iron is a heat-treated iron-carbon alloy, which solidifies in the as-cast condition with a graphite-free structure, i.e. the total carbon content is present in the cementite form (Fe3C)". So there! (that's what a mis-spent youth or engineering A-level does for you) After casting and cooling the casting subsequent annealed to make it less likely to impact fracture.

The best ones used to be Record with Paramo a close second. Paramo went phut! about 2 or 3 years back and Records are now made gawd knows where so I'm not sure about their quality these days. I agree with what Paul had to say about the quality of the swivel foot on Records, though. It's also good for Paramos should you find any.

BTW for F-type cramps I've always found Bessey and Gross-Stabil to ne the best with Sandvik not far behind.

Scrit

 

[OPJ]

Being relatively new to woodworking still, I've bought a wide range of G-clamps from both Screwfix and Toolstation over the past two years.

But, to be brutally honest with you, ever since I discovered things like quick-grip and 'solo' clamps, I can go MONTHS without touching even the largest G-clamp I have!

I do have them should I need them though. I am prepared. And I'm also pleased, looking at the way things have panned out over time, that I payed a fairly small amount of money for them. :wink:

 

[ike]

I believe Record clamps are superior in that they are forged steel, not cast iron. Drop forging imparts grain flow in the forging complimentary to its overall shape, which enhances the strength and toughness of the part.

Ike