I am looking to purchase between 20 to 25 C Clamps with an opening between 6"-8". I saw some one Harbor Feight's website for 6" 4.99 and 8" 5.99... I was wondering if anyone has anyone used them and what they though of them? I am not going to tighten down very hard. (i have broken cast ones before cracking them down real tight) Just enough to hold down a frame on a jig with its being welded.. Or does anyone have some they used and really liked? If you have a link please let me know. Thank you for your time. John
I've got some of the horror freight clamps. Great paper weights. If you tighten them too tight the "C" will twist. Get some good forged ones, you'll be much happier.
On top of that you need the copper coated screws or weld splatter will stick too them and you can't turn the screw - don't ask me how I know! If you're using MIG with gas or Tig this pretty much isn't a problem tho...
If you can get 4X as many at HF prices, then buy 4X as many and spread the clamping load out. The main problem I have found with the HF grade clamps is the ball socket seizing. Oh, and make sure they're not twisted when you buy them. I've seen a few of those, too!
Don't buy the HF ones. I just hit a lot of swapmeets and flea markets and find used 6-8 inch American made clamps all the time for any where from $2 to $5. Whenever I find them I pick them up. You can never have too many.
I've had them bend on me with only minimal pressure. I was surprised at how bad they were. Might be ok for woodworking or something......
I think all of my Harbor freight and Northern tool C clamps have gone to the metal recyclers. They all twisted like they were made of Pot metal. Don't waste your money. But forged once and be done with it.
Like everyone else has said buy some good ones, I was clamping down a 6" Harbor Freight clamp and it snapped in half and hit me in the head, Hey, maybe thats whats wrong with me!......I'll never make that mistake again. Scott
Do yourself a favor and get some clamps like the one in the link below. They go on sale occasionally and Enco always has some percent off or free shipping or both. There are several different brands available of this type of clamp but I only have experience with Bessey clamps. They are not cheap but they work. http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=505-4522&PMPXNO=949746&PARTPG=INLMK32
These are my favorite, and when I win the lotto I will buy some more. http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=505-4552&PMPXNO=951793&PARTPG=INLMK32 We would use two of the 12"ers to hold 400# mold block on the CNC mill when we cut odd pockets and never had a problem. Nice clamps. But lotts of $$ Jeff
I see you got the skinny on the HF clamps Slightly better than nothing at all, but you get exactly what you pay for : $6.00 worth of a 80.00 clamp
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