ScottGoddard
Established Member
All, i am in need of getting some more clamps. However, i find them very expensive for what they are, does anyway know where they cheapest/best place to buy these?
clamps
- Thread starter ScottGoddard
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Ttrees
Iroko loco!
They used to sell large workzone f-clamps in Aldi a few years back.
Does anyone know if they are still selling them ?
They are the best ones I've found, the pairs came in at least two sizes
I bought two sets of the long and short ones ...wish I got more at the time.
I have not found better for the price.
Tom
Does anyone know if they are still selling them ?
They are the best ones I've found, the pairs came in at least two sizes
I bought two sets of the long and short ones ...wish I got more at the time.
I have not found better for the price.
Tom
John15
Established Member
I've bought most of mine off ebay.
John
John
Ttrees
Iroko loco!
I found a link to the Aldi ones I was on about
good-cheap-clamps-t74704.html
I just wanted to know if they were still selling them ?
I don't remember seeing them in the weekly magazine
good-cheap-clamps-t74704.html
I just wanted to know if they were still selling them ?
I don't remember seeing them in the weekly magazine
Attachments
Cheshirechappie
Established Member
Often said that you can't have too many cramps. In a pro shop, I can see the logic; you may have multiple items to glue up against a strict time constraint. In the amateur shop, not so sure. Good cramps cost good money, don't get used all that often, and take up storage space. Better a carefully thought out selection of really good quality cramps, backed up with a willingness to improvise for one-off unusual jobs.
Have a careful think about the work you intend to do, and the cramps that will suit it. No point buying top quality 48" sash cramps if you intend to make jewellery boxes, for example. If you have a lot of carcase furniture to make up from solid hardwoods, then a set of four be a sound investment, price notwithstanding.
Thinking about the sort of general cramping duties that crop up other than glue-ups - work holding, 'third hand' duties and generally immobilising things while you carry out some task or other - the cramps I find most useful are a set of 4 6" F-cramps, followed by some 3" G-Cramps. I'm not a fan of big G-Cramps for woodworking; they're heavy, cumbersome and blooming expensive for anything of reasonable quality, and if it needs that much cramping force there's probably a better way of doing it, but the little ones (3" and 4" or so) are handy.
It's also worth bearing in mind that you can do a lot with some strips of scrap wood and a few wedges. A strip of 2" x 1" with a block screwed to each end to span the job with enough length extra to accommodate a pressure block and a wedge makes a cheap, recyclable sash cramp. A handful of longish bolts and a few nuts and large washers (raid the B&Q hardware aisle) plus a few hardwood scraps makes any design of small cramp a job might need, and the bolts and nuts will last pretty well for ever.
Other than that, keep an eye out for discounts on good brand names. Buy sets of four if you can, or at least pairs. One cramp on it's own is rarely much use, you always seem to need them in multiples when you do need them. Be prepared to pay good money for good quality, buy sets sparingly only when experience demonstrates that you need them and will need them again, and you should - with a bit of luck - find that happy medium of having 'enough' cramps without ending up with a storage nightmare or too much damage to the wallet!
Have a careful think about the work you intend to do, and the cramps that will suit it. No point buying top quality 48" sash cramps if you intend to make jewellery boxes, for example. If you have a lot of carcase furniture to make up from solid hardwoods, then a set of four be a sound investment, price notwithstanding.
Thinking about the sort of general cramping duties that crop up other than glue-ups - work holding, 'third hand' duties and generally immobilising things while you carry out some task or other - the cramps I find most useful are a set of 4 6" F-cramps, followed by some 3" G-Cramps. I'm not a fan of big G-Cramps for woodworking; they're heavy, cumbersome and blooming expensive for anything of reasonable quality, and if it needs that much cramping force there's probably a better way of doing it, but the little ones (3" and 4" or so) are handy.
It's also worth bearing in mind that you can do a lot with some strips of scrap wood and a few wedges. A strip of 2" x 1" with a block screwed to each end to span the job with enough length extra to accommodate a pressure block and a wedge makes a cheap, recyclable sash cramp. A handful of longish bolts and a few nuts and large washers (raid the B&Q hardware aisle) plus a few hardwood scraps makes any design of small cramp a job might need, and the bolts and nuts will last pretty well for ever.
Other than that, keep an eye out for discounts on good brand names. Buy sets of four if you can, or at least pairs. One cramp on it's own is rarely much use, you always seem to need them in multiples when you do need them. Be prepared to pay good money for good quality, buy sets sparingly only when experience demonstrates that you need them and will need them again, and you should - with a bit of luck - find that happy medium of having 'enough' cramps without ending up with a storage nightmare or too much damage to the wallet!
Bod
Established Member
Most of mine have come from carboot sales.
£1.50 for a Record 10inch(3-8 years old, almost unused!)
You take a chance on what's there, and buy when seen, but don't buy broken.
Bod
£1.50 for a Record 10inch(3-8 years old, almost unused!)
You take a chance on what's there, and buy when seen, but don't buy broken.
Bod
On a visit a few months back to Aldi I noticed they had sets of Workzone quick ratcheting clamps £4.99 a pair and when I went to another branch £4.99 for a set of 4 smaller ones. In store when I looked the clamps over and picked up the pack. I immediately felt a sense of robust good quality. I bought several sets of each.See attached for photo of one pack. On the packaging says, VPA certified ( fit for use, safe handling controlled ) Tested and certified In Germany. Has information, in German printed on the handles. On the back of the pack says, Produced in China for Aldi. These are not the same clamps that Fitzroy bought from Lidl and had trouble with.
I contacted Aldi to ask what the clamping force was and I can't remember exactly but was pretty good, not Micky Mouse level.
I also bought a nice pair of Silverline clamps in July 2016 at a very reasonable price £6.88 and at the time free delivery. Seems some of the Silverline clamps can be naff. Though this particular model 32 reviews, almost all good. As such a good price I was tempted to buy a few more.... as might.... come in handy but thought no. These are the clamps, Silverline 675243 F-Clamp Heavy Duty - 600 x 80 mm
I found it cost effective to make up 10 sets of 4 foot long pipe clamps. Axy at one time had special offer on the clamping heads so got several. Also when exchange rate with US was better and they had a special postage bag scheme, got several more clamp heads from the States. Perhaps not everyone's cup of tea making up the clamps. Got steel pipe cut to length at steel stock holder. Got a Draper tripod vice, seems a chain vice would have avoided marring the pipe. Got a set of Draper dies and with a bit of huff and puff, bracing the end of the pipe against a door and a liberal dash of cutting oil I put the threads on. I also put threads on the other end so can use a coupler to join pipes together. Needed these pipe clamps for clamping up my big window frames and French doors in the kitchen extension. Could also have pipe cut to 2ft lengths, which I'm thinking about.
I contacted Aldi to ask what the clamping force was and I can't remember exactly but was pretty good, not Micky Mouse level.
I also bought a nice pair of Silverline clamps in July 2016 at a very reasonable price £6.88 and at the time free delivery. Seems some of the Silverline clamps can be naff. Though this particular model 32 reviews, almost all good. As such a good price I was tempted to buy a few more.... as might.... come in handy but thought no. These are the clamps, Silverline 675243 F-Clamp Heavy Duty - 600 x 80 mm
I found it cost effective to make up 10 sets of 4 foot long pipe clamps. Axy at one time had special offer on the clamping heads so got several. Also when exchange rate with US was better and they had a special postage bag scheme, got several more clamp heads from the States. Perhaps not everyone's cup of tea making up the clamps. Got steel pipe cut to length at steel stock holder. Got a Draper tripod vice, seems a chain vice would have avoided marring the pipe. Got a set of Draper dies and with a bit of huff and puff, bracing the end of the pipe against a door and a liberal dash of cutting oil I put the threads on. I also put threads on the other end so can use a coupler to join pipes together. Needed these pipe clamps for clamping up my big window frames and French doors in the kitchen extension. Could also have pipe cut to 2ft lengths, which I'm thinking about.
Attachments
http://theapprenticeandthejourneyman.co ... el-clamps/
Also, since no one has mentioned it. Sash Clamps.
Bought my Paramo and old Record ones also some from Rutlands, (not so good but fine with a fettle or two) and some 4mm box section steel. Graaaah! Superclamps! Originally meant for using on timber, using with box steel means proper sturdy cramps for money but less money than dedicateds like bessey.
I have a load of the Liddl workzone ones as pictured above and use them for everything day to day. Fine, not great but fine. Used mostly for holding stuff in place not glueups if you know what I mean.
Cheers
Chris
Also, since no one has mentioned it. Sash Clamps.
Bought my Paramo and old Record ones also some from Rutlands, (not so good but fine with a fettle or two) and some 4mm box section steel. Graaaah! Superclamps! Originally meant for using on timber, using with box steel means proper sturdy cramps for money but less money than dedicateds like bessey.
I have a load of the Liddl workzone ones as pictured above and use them for everything day to day. Fine, not great but fine. Used mostly for holding stuff in place not glueups if you know what I mean.
Cheers
Chris
