Parallel clamp - jaw movement

[Fanous]

Gents,

Just got my new clamps from Axminster, and they have a bit of a play with them. They come back to me saying it's 'normal'.

What do you guys think? I thought there would be no play in them at all. Pictures from the same clamp.

Cheers

 

[Cabinetman]

Compared to my old record T bars those aren’t bad at all, there is always a certain amount of play in them, and in fact you really don’t want them too tight, it would slow things down.
I wouldn’t worry, put some pieces of wood in there with glue on them and they will squeeze up and come out just fine. Ian

 

[Fanous]

Thanks mate, appreciate the feedback. Axminster said the same thing, but you never know from a seller, if they just hoping to spare their time and cash, or if that's actually correct. Cheers

 

[TheTiddles]

Is that with the clamp tightened up? The bar bends so measuring relative to it isn’t a good test. If it’s not tightened up… how would it move if there was no clearance?

 

[Fanous]

Good point, if the bar bows towards the wood, and there is negative angle, say 89 degrees, then the one degree or so would net me a square.

I'm set on keeping these, see how the glue up goes once I get to it. They claim lifetime warranty, so I can take it back anytime if it doesn't work.

Cheers