I won’t be using Irwin Quick-grip Clamps much anymore.
The Bessey Kliklamps have a cam-action ratchet and can exert 330 lbs. of pressure. They are also fast and incredibly light weight. These won’t just replace Quick clamps in my collection, but are also capable of doing the work of much heavier bar clamps.
http://www.besseytools.com/products/wood/KliKlamp.php
The clamp box I take to work will be getting much lighter. :o)
Replies
That's the same design as Festool's quick-clamps. Takes a minute to get the hang of it, but it is quick, easy and strong once you do!
I did not know about Festool clamps, but I sure like these.You are right that they take some getting used to.
I have a pair I picked up on a whim, and actually have not put them thru thier paces, but the one job I had them on was a box gutter rebuild, and the "lambs legs" that we install are preclamped before screwing, and the handle of the clamp was always in the way.
I love cam clamps and have many from my Lutherie days, they are the best for some applications, but they can be difficult in tight places.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
So far, I have only used them in the shop... plenty of room, but I can imagine the cam arm might get in the way sometimes.These are my first cam clamps (bought 4 last week) and I feel like I've been missing out.
Yeah, the weight savings alone makes them a staple in some glue ups.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
The world of people goes up and
down and people go up and down with
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following the ups and downs of their
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How come they never tell the price for the stuff they are selling?
I suppose they leave pricing up to their retailers.I bought mine at a tool shop for between $17 and $22 per clamp (for 3 different sizes). The price is fair IMO, for a high quality bar clamp.--Bass
I just bought a couple of the s,all versions of those clamps. haven't tried them out yet, just stocking up for the gunnels on the canoe.
canoe??? Making one? I made 2. One was using ribs and lengths of sitka spruce then covered in canvas. That one I built a longggggggggg time ago and it's rotting next to my shed..ugh
The last one was a strip kayak made from 3/4" strips and canoe router bits. Been awhile. I do have another I started a ways back before I got involved with this house. I have the forms made but thats it. Here's the one I started ..the EXPEDITION http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/guillemot/ES
and this site I used to frequent more than BT many many moons ago. Cool site if yer into wooden Kayaks
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
"I am Andybuildz and I approve this post"
Edited 9/14/2008 10:20 pm ET by andybuildz
Rebuild on the gunnels and decks of a 1950's Chestnut 18' wood canoe.
It was fiberglassed to replace the canvas to cut down on upkeep. Been gathering materials and supplies for the job.
I have had the canoe since the mid seventies and let it sit unprotected outside for one to many winters. Just happened to see the small clamps with the ratchet on them and bought a couple since I have to steam bend the gunnels , thought the clamps would help me out for speed and strength when handling the hot wood.
My son has built several wood frame and ballistic nylon coated with polyurethane kayaks here. All lashed together native style and really a fun boat to be in.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Andy
Where did you get the plans for building the canoes? I have a 7 year old son and I want to build one with him. There is a class offered here at the local community college for kayak building and I'm thinking about that but for my son and I I'd really like to build a canoe. Got any sites with some plans. Thanks
doug
Doug
The plans can be bought right on the site I left you http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/guillemot/ES
I met the guy at a wooden boat show in Conn. a cpl of years after frequenting his forum (same site).
You can build a small Kayak but for a first one you might wanna look into building one out of plywood first. They're really beautiful too and a whole lot easier and faster to build. http://www.pygmyboats.com/Construction.htm You don't need to buy the kit if you don't want...you can build the entire thing.
This company is real good too for the stitch n glue (plywood)...I see they teamed up with Guillemont Kayaks. http://www.clcboats.com/shop/plans/stitch_glue_designs/
You would not believe how long the strip kayak took me to build. I think the one I did took me something like 2-300 hours! No exageration.
If I were you I'd do the plywood one first. Has a lot of the same finishing process involved as the strip built one which will make the next one easier to do.
edit: This is s great book. It's what I read before I built mine
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/guillemot/accessories/books/the_strip_built_sea_kayak
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
http://www.ramdass.org
"I am Andybuildz and I approve this post"
Edited 9/15/2008 11:58 pm ET by andybuildz
Edited 9/15/2008 11:58 pm ET by andybuildz
Edited 9/16/2008 12:02 am ET by andybuildz
Thanks Andy, the plywood one does look pretty nice, a whole lot quicker to build too!
Doug
Maybe I don't understand exactly how these clamp, but the beauty of the Irwin Quick Grip clamps IMO is that it only takes one hand to close them up and apply pressure. There's lots of clamps as good or better but that one-hand operation is very handy at times.
I have a pair of those, had them for a year or so with the mind to replace my QuickClaps. In practise, however, I found that I needed two hands to operate the clamp, rendering it nonfunctional in all put shop conditions. I don't even know where they are, at this point.
I saw them being used at a woodworking seminar almost two years ago, and the guy using them seemed to really like them, so I thought I'd give them a try, but was largely disappointed.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
I love those clamps. I use them for holding jigs, feather boards and rails on plywood I am cutting. Vibration doesn't effect the clamps.
For one handed operations I use these.
http://www.besseytools.com/products/wood/PowerGrip.php
You get 200lbs with one hand, and 1000 lbs with the crank handle. I use the to clamp the faceframes of cabintets as I hang them among other things.
"It is what it is."