Which starter clamp set?

[Halo Jones]

Hi all,

I am in need of some clamps as I only have a couple of 100 mm G-clamps that are useful but just not big enough. Rutlands have a couple of offers but I'm not sure which would be most versatile as a starter set:

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/cgi-bin/psPro ... i?promo=61

or

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/cgi-bin/psPro ... i?promo=16

Thoughts and suggestions welcome.

Cheers,

Halo

 

[tomatwark]

Hi

I would go for these instead of the Rutlands ones.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-axminster-sash-cramps-prod836668/

I have both and although the Axminster one are a little more expensive the they are a lot better, you look at the pack of six price.

Tom

 

[myturn]

There's a member on here giving some Dakota clamps away that might suit you.

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/free-to-a-good-home-t49414.html

 

[Chems]

The second set you posted from Rutlands looks to be a really good deal. Have a look at their parallel jaw clamps too theyre good for the money.

 

[Halo Jones]

Thanks for the responses,

@ myturn: another forum member appears to have dibs on those clamps. Thanks for the heads-up though.

@ tom: Can you tell me how the axminster clamps are better or is it just a subjective thing?

@ Chems: what is the advantage of the parallel clamps? Is it just that the jaws are quite a bit deeper?

As always money is an issue. I'm still setting up my workshop but baby no 2 arrives in 6 weeks so I'm trying to get as much workshop stuff now as I know there will not be a penny to spare for at least the next 18 months! (I'm still deluding myself that I will have energy, inclination or time to do anything :roll: )

Cheers,

Halo

 

[tomatwark]

Halo

The axminster ones are better machined and the threads are better, they are a good copy of the record 135 clamps.

The rutlands one the bars in the handles bend and the quality of finish is not as good.

I bought the rutlands ones about 2 years ago and the axminster ones about 2 momths ago and since then if ordering from axminster and needing to get above carriage paid have added more as you can not have enough clamps.

Both work but the Axminster ones are better

Tom

 

[Chems]

@ tom: Can you tell me how the axminster clamps are better or is it just a subjective thing?

@ Chems: what is the advantage of the parallel clamps? Is it just that the jaws are quite a bit deeper?

It sort of depends what work your going to do. If your going to be doing home furniture I'd say personally and probably a few here would agree that the Parallel jaw clamps are best. They sit level on work tops so make for easy clamping, they don't fall over or tip if places on there backs, they pull up very evenly and there is no bend in the rail and are very quick to adjust to different openings vs sash clamps which need you to take a pin out to move the bottom head. The parallel have the advantage that they have soft material on the jaws and won't put impressions in the work piece unless your really using massive pressure meaning no fussing with scraps between bits when clamping up wishing you had more hands.

But if your going to be making things like doors or windows that have large mortice and tenon joints that you really want to crush together so to speak then the sash cramps are the ones for you as you can get so much more pressure applied with that sort of clamp, and the accuracy of the joint is going to be dictated by the joint not be the clamps pulling up a bit out of square or bending.

 

[mtt.tr]

that second set off rutlands look nice so do the axi ones

Just as important though is the correct use off cramping blocks.