Hi Powertools - I use these in preference to any alternative, but I really don't mind what everyone else uses or prefers - room for every opinion and preference. My reasons would be:
- very fast to lock up and release (there is nothing quicker I have found)
- rock solid
- great access, the skinny cross-section gets them into places others can't so easily reach (inside of part-assembled carcase for example)
- lifetime tool with no maintenance
Ages ago the very fine Richard T gave me an evolution of his to test, I did this:
From memory that's about 1.2m ash board, and about 5Kg grinder at the end. 2 good taps with my 2.5lb brass hammer.
They are also good for this kind of thing:
I did this pic ages ago as a testament to flush fronts on benches, but again the holdfast is very fast and supports one end for you, handy when working alone with big boards.
I have a fine Veritas clamp-down (screw to lock) but amost never use it - it's slow and only moderate as a clamper.
I know aternatives have their fans and the Sjoberg looks good value, but given all the clamping choices available this is mine, and it's the right one for me.
(missing Richard - he was never one to make the simple seem difficult, quite the reverse. And he reckoned these were tricky to get right.)
p.s. Power: re controllable. I feel they are very - I don't tend to whack mine once, preferring a few sharp taps which is kinder to the bench and workpiece (scrap under of course). So clamp pressure is quite finely adjustable but still really quick to achieve.
