Does anybody happen to own the Gramercy Holdfast's? I was wondering if someone could let me know please what the dimension is from the base of the clamping foot to the end of the shaft. I'm trying to work out how much clearance I would need under my bench top. Thank you.
Gramercy Holdfast question.
- Thread starter JJ1
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John15
Established Member
I've got a couple. I'll measure them in the morning if no-one comes forward in the meantime.
John
John
John15
Established Member
Hi JJ,
Sorry for the delay.
The vertical dimension from the underside of the foot to the bottom of the shaft is 219mm. I imagine this dimension may vary a bit.
John
Sorry for the delay.
The vertical dimension from the underside of the foot to the bottom of the shaft is 219mm. I imagine this dimension may vary a bit.
John
John15
Established Member
JJ,
My bench top is 40mm thick beech with 19mm holes and they grip well. I bought them from Dieter Schmid (Fine Tools).
John
My bench top is 40mm thick beech with 19mm holes and they grip well. I bought them from Dieter Schmid (Fine Tools).
John
Paul Chapman
Established Member
If you have any problems with holdfasts gripping well, here's a good tip from Richard Maguire http://www.theenglishwoodworker.com/?p=1329
Cheers :wink:
Paul
Cheers :wink:
Paul
John15
Established Member
JJ,
I meant to mention an alternative to the Gramercy Holdfast. It's a Sjobergs Holdfast ST03 from Axminster, cost £27.96 a pair. I have them and find they are quicker to fix and they hold well. You don't have to clout them with a hammer either.
John
I meant to mention an alternative to the Gramercy Holdfast. It's a Sjobergs Holdfast ST03 from Axminster, cost £27.96 a pair. I have them and find they are quicker to fix and they hold well. You don't have to clout them with a hammer either.
John
Hi John,
I have one of the Sjoberg holdfast's and I found it didn't grip that well. I attached a piece of gaffer tape to the shaft and it gripped a lot better but would tend to loosen up eventually and the gaffer tape ended up all creased after a couple of uses. I think I discovered what the problem was a few days ago after seeing someone on a youtube video mention that they're really designed to be used in pairs and it's unrealistic to expect rock solid clamping with just the single holdfast. So it sounds like it's just user error and perhaps expecting a bit too much from a single holdfast.
Anyway, I ordered the Gramercy ones a couple of days ago and am looking forward to recieving them early next week
I have one of the Sjoberg holdfast's and I found it didn't grip that well. I attached a piece of gaffer tape to the shaft and it gripped a lot better but would tend to loosen up eventually and the gaffer tape ended up all creased after a couple of uses. I think I discovered what the problem was a few days ago after seeing someone on a youtube video mention that they're really designed to be used in pairs and it's unrealistic to expect rock solid clamping with just the single holdfast. So it sounds like it's just user error and perhaps expecting a bit too much from a single holdfast.
Anyway, I ordered the Gramercy ones a couple of days ago and am looking forward to recieving them early next week
matthewwh
Established Member
The holding power of holdfasts is much improved by having a bit of leather under the work.
Depending on the thickness of the benchtop you may need to tweak the end to make sure that the toe contacts first, then the heel when you knock it in.
They are a fantastic way of clamping, very quick and simple to use.
Depending on the thickness of the benchtop you may need to tweak the end to make sure that the toe contacts first, then the heel when you knock it in.
They are a fantastic way of clamping, very quick and simple to use.
I received the holdfasts from Dieter Schmid yesterday and have been using them for several hours today. Absolutely cracking bit of kit and so fast and easy to use. I can see me using these for every single project from now on and I wonder how I managed without them for so long. Pretty amazed at the clamping power too, absolutely rock solid even with just a fairly light blow from a wooden mallet. Off to visit the English Woodworker now to refresh my memory on how to use the notched batten and holdfast.
Thanks once again for all the help and advice.
Thanks once again for all the help and advice.
