Slipping F-clamps

[andrew_2]

This is for all the poor impoverished amateurs like me out there.

I just saw a Wallybois short on Youtube about how to cure slipping f-clamps, where he advises re-filing the serrations on the clamp bar to improve the grip. I think my solution is better, because it turns a knackered F-clamp into an adjustable G-clamp with not much effort or cost and the same clamping power as a mini sash cramp. Long life to all cheap as chips clamps.

If anyone knows a better way to do it, I would love to hear it.

 

[brocher]

This is for all the poor impoverished amateurs like me out there.

I just saw a Wallybois short on Youtube about how to cure slipping f-clamps, where he advises re-filing the serrations on the clamp bar to improve the grip. I think my solution is better, because it turns a knackered F-clamp into an adjustable G-clamp with not much effort or cost and the same clamping power as a mini sash cramp. Long life to all cheap as chips clamps.

If anyone knows a better way to do it, I would love to hear it.

Excellent idea. I have a couple of very similar looking clamps and they have always slipped. I tend to use these clamps as a last resort when I need clamping to be done!

 

[TheUnicorn]

looks good, certainly save a clamp going into the bin, though I'd loose the pin in seconds, maybe put it on a cord attached to the sliding jaw?

 

[SkinnyB]

Best way I found to fix these is to tap for a grub screw on the back of the part that slides up and down. Try to get the grub screw near to the top as this is where the pressure is applied when clapping. When tightening it will cause the grub screw to dig in to the shaft of the clamp and stop it slipping.

1. Remove sliding part
2 Drill 5mm hole in back near top.
3. Tap for 6mm grub screw
4. Use some threadlock on the threads
5. Tighten grub screw all the way.
6. Back grub screw out a little so that the sliding part slides up/down easy.
7. Grub screw will engage shaft when tightening and provide grip.

Ill try to get some pics, have done about 30 f clamps and have never been an issue since.

 

[Sachakins]

This is for all the poor impoverished amateurs like me out there.

I just saw a Wallybois short on Youtube about how to cure slipping f-clamps, where he advises re-filing the serrations on the clamp bar to improve the grip. I think my solution is better, because it turns a knackered F-clamp into an adjustable G-clamp with not much effort or cost and the same clamping power as a mini sash cramp. Long life to all cheap as chips clamps.

If anyone knows a better way to do it, I would love to hear it.

Sometimes slippage is just old crud and glue. I go to mine with a stiff wire brush first, normally solves it.
But I'll bear this in mind before I bin any clamps. Thanks.
Suppose it'll work on quick clamps too?

 

[Louisvn]

I has experienced the same problem after oiling the clamps and sense then it is slipping. Tried to clean off the oil with no success.
Thank you Andrew_2 and SkinnyB.

 

[kinverkid]

Best way I found to fix these is to tap for a grub screw on the back of the part that slides up and down. Try to get the grub screw near to the top as this is where the pressure is applied when clapping. When tightening it will cause the grub screw to dig in to the shaft of the clamp and stop it slipping.

1. Remove sliding part
2 Drill 5mm hole in back near top.
3. Tap for 6mm grub screw
4. Use some threadlock on the threads
5. Tighten grub screw all the way.
6. Back grub screw out a little so that the sliding part slides up/down easy.
7. Grub screw will engage shaft when tightening and provide grip.

Ill try to get some pics, have done about 30 f clamps and have never been an issue since.

I think I get the gist of what you're describing but looking forward to photos because this sounds like a better solution for one of my clamps. I must have 30 odd f-clamps but only one that slips. Just lucky I suppose.

 

[Owd Jockey]

I've done this before on my 'cheapie' Aldi Workzone F- Clamps. Remember to file the serrations with a very slight downward bias.

 

[andrew_2]

Best way I found to fix these is to tap for a grub screw on the back of the part that slides up and down. Try to get the grub screw near to the top as this is where the pressure is applied when clapping. When tightening it will cause the grub screw to dig in to the shaft of the clamp and stop it slipping.

1. Remove sliding part
2 Drill 5mm hole in back near top.
3. Tap for 6mm grub screw
4. Use some threadlock on the threads
5. Tighten grub screw all the way.
6. Back grub screw out a little so that the sliding part slides up/down easy.
7. Grub screw will engage shaft when tightening and provide grip.

Ill try to get some pics, have done about 30 f clamps and have never been an issue since.

That sounds like a neat solution. I'll give it a go when the next one starts to fail. Thanks!

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

I have a Jorgensen E-Z Hold clamp that doesn't hold. It's similar to the Irwin quick clamps. It was new and given to me because 'I'm good at fixing things'. It's a shame I can't see anyway of using this innovative way of fixing it.

 

[XTiffy]

I think Andrew_2 idea is the simplest. The only refinement I would make is to tap those holes and use a cheese head machine screw, drillin/tapping a hole right at the bottom of the shaft to hold the screw. My older sash cramps have a retaining machine screw at the end to stop jaws falling off.

 

[Agent_zed]

I normally find if it's slipping the way to get it to work is to push it up tight to the workpiece and then hold the bar and put my thumb on the sliding part and push, whilst with the other hand starting to screw the clamp. the pressure from my thumb is enough to get it to jam onto the bar and get enough grip. Don't think I've ever had one that wouldn't get enough grip if I did that.