Usefulness of Quick-Grip Clamps?

[LarryG]

I recently bought my first pair of Irwin Quick-Grip clamps -- the 6" minis that currently include a free year's subscription to Fine Woodworking Magazine. I found the clamps so handy that a few days later I bought a second pair.

Now I'm wondering about the usefulness of these clamps in their larger sizes. The six-inchers work great for things like securing a workpiece to a bench while cutting biscuit slots, but I'm not yet sure how well they'd function for a glue-up. My early impression is that this style of clamp is best used as a "third hand" rather than as a clamp per se.

So my question to those of you who own some of the larger sizes is, what sort of uses do you give them? And do you find all sizes equally useful, or do you favor the shorter ones? Do you use them as a third hand, or for glue-ups as well?

(I ask these questions in part because the prices of the bigger Quick-Grips would go a long way toward paying for a Bessey K-Body or Jorgenson CabinetMaster of the same size ...)

[JR]

Larry,

I've got two mismatched clamps of this type. One's an Irwin, bigger than 6", but not huge. The other is a different brand (yellow in color, brand I can't remember), it's about 15" or 18".

I love these things. I've used 'em as third hands, as part of all-hands-on-deck glue-ups and everthing in between.

I don't know how many one should have, but the truism holds - you can't have enough.

JR

[sweensdv]

I don't own any Besseys'or Jorgys' and use the Quick Grip and HF bar clamps exclusively. The Quick Grip clamps that I have, 6" thru 30", have always provided sufficient pressure when using them for glue-ups. I have never had a glue joint fail yet.

Besseys' and Jorgys' have their place there's no doubt about that but for my home shop, I've found that the lesser expensive clamps work just as well as long as you take the time and set them up properly.

EDIT: I have tried lookalike Quick Grip style clamps and in my experience, they're mostly junk. I have had good success though with the Tool Shop brand knockoffs sold at Menards.

[Tequila]

I have several of each (many different brands) from 3" - 36". I find that I use the 3" - 12" most often. I use them as:[*]third hands (circular saw, miter gauge drill press, etc.)[*]glueups[*]comealongs (I recently used some to tighten chain link fencing)[*]jacks (I used 3 of them to raise a replacement garbage disposal into place)

I often use the longer quick grips to temporarily hold something together while I get it squared and clamped with the Besseys. I find that the longer ones tend to flex, so I don't trust myself to set them up properly for cabinetmaking. They are much faster to lock in place than the Besseys, and they don't slip open when the pressure is relieved.

If you're looking for inexpensive longer ones, keep an eye out for when Penn State Industries has a sale. I think I got my 36" clamps for around $8 each.

[wassaw998]

I have a pair of the 12"'ers, they are always my first choice on any sort of fast clamping / hold down activity I need , I love 'em. The only drawback is they do not clamp super tight, thus I don't use them on glue ups.

I had a book a while back from the Library written by an English feller, apparently they call clamps "cramps". In the book, in a discussion on "cramps", the author states...."you know what they say, you can never have enough cramps..."

[RodKirby]

They are all I use - apart from really big stuff.

Came across a great idea to "link" a pair, to double the length (requires the "removable head" type).

I can post a pic if anyone's interested.

[Tundra_Man]

I've got 5 in various sizes. I love 'em. If your joinery is accurate, they provide more than enough clamping pressure for glue-ups.

[LCHIEN]

I use them all the time, I love the fact you can set them with fwwer hands than most.
They seem strong enough for glue-ups which you should not overtighten anyway lest you sqeueeze the glue out.
I also use them for fixtures, holding semi-portable benchtop tools to the benchtop (scroll saw, benchtop jointer, 8" drill press, 12" planer etc.)

I think I'd stick with the genuine Irwins, from what I hear.
I have 7 6" minis, 2 6" regulars, 6 12" reversible (QG II) and a 24".

I'd say I use the 6" in both styles most often.
I probably would be happy with fewer: I bought 2 minis last week to get the FWW, and the 6 12" reversibles because they were like $10 per pair last fall.

I also have some craftsman micros which i hardly ever seem to use.

[jethro]

quote:Originally posted by RodKirby

They are all I use - apart from really big stuff.

I'd say the same thing if I could afford them. Where I've found them, they've been a good bit more expensive than off-brand bar clamps. Never tried quick-grips longer than 24", though, so the flex issues others have mentioned may be a factor.

[tlusco]

Everything has its place.

I have three pair: 3", 8" and 18", the last of which are usable as spreaders as well. I use the 8" as 3rd hands all the time. They are the most-used clamps in my shop. The 18" I use often as third hands or "starter" clamps when doing a complex glue-up. I always use the Besseys and Jorgys as to provide the main clamping pressure, and to help ensure square (gotta love those square bodies). The quick-grips don't provide enough pressure.

I recall an article in a Wood magazine from about a year ago discussing the different styles of clamps and their utility for various functions. The quick-grips topped out a bit lower than desireable for glue pressure, while bar clamps topped out about double diserable. So use bar clamps and don't crank 'em too tight

I don't see any use for any more of the larger clamps for me personally, though if I didn't have a set that can be used as spreaders I'd consider it.

[tfischer]

I really like the Jorgensen "EZ Hold II" clamps. They are similar to Quick Grips, but a bit cheaper, have an actual ratcheting action that won't slip at all, and the end of the clamp can be moved up and back along the bar (as well as the with the trigger end, obviously) so you can center the bar when using only a portion of it, instead of having it all hang off one side like most clamps.

Best time to get these is when Menards has a percent-off sale (right now they're having an 11% off sale, for example...)

-Tim

[Otter]

Larry

I have 4 6", 2 18" and 4 30". I use them all the time for everything. The 30" are the removable/reversable type, I use those for counter pressure and floor jacks as well. They are a great all around clamp, and one handed opperation to boot.

[jking]

I remember reading or being told that for clamping glue-ups, you only need to apply around 200 psi of clamping pressure across the joint. Of course, the clamping pressure will be greater at the clamp than in between. I have two quick-grips (6"), and they seem to get used in just about every project. They are very handy to have around. The biggest benefit is being able to clamp them (easily) with one hand.

[LCHIEN]

quote:Originally posted by jking

I remember reading or being told that for clamping glue-ups, you only need to apply around 200 psi of clamping pressure across the joint. ...

ONLY 200 PSI?

For a 2" x 5" glueup then you will need 1 ton of force holding them together... Parking the right front wheel of your car on top of it won't be enough...

That value sure doesn't seem right.

[tfischer]

quote:Originally posted by LCHIEN

quote:Originally posted by jking

I remember reading or being told that for clamping glue-ups, you only need to apply around 200 psi of clamping pressure across the joint. ...

ONLY 200 PSI?

For a 2" x 5" glueup then you will need 1 ton of force holding them together... Parking the right front wheel of your car on top of it won't be enough...

That value sure doesn't seem right.

I'm assuming he means 200PSI at the clamping surface (e.g. the inch or two where your clamps contact the workpiece) not per square inch of the workpiece itself.

I have no idea if this number is accurate though.

-Tim