Quick Grip Clamp Question...

[Jim Frye]

I have four 6" Quick Grip clamps that are a couple of decades old and get a lot of use. One of the four is losing its grip strength. I've cleaned the spreader bar, but no improvement. Is there any other remedy, or should I just replace it? If replacement is the option, what brand now that Irwin is the maker of the original?

[LCHIEN]

https://www.woodworking-news.com/woodworking-tips/quick-grip-clamp-tune-up/

May be cheaper and easier to replace. 4 mini 6" Irwin Quick grips under $20 at Amazon ($5 each)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DSY4QO/ref=sm_n_au_dka_US_pr_con_0_0?adId=B001DSY4QO&creativeASIN=B001DSY4QO&linkId=94527f6c86262e19056a9b94e301d81e&tag=woodworkingne-20&linkCode=w70&ref-refURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.woodworking-news.com%2Fwoodworking-tips%2Fquick-grip-clamp-tune-up%2F&slotNum=0&imprToken=a9b139dae3d3b0403f31d2533bfbbcb3&adType=smart&adMode=auto&adFormat=strip&impressionTimestamp=1641683392972&th=1

[dbhost]

Haven't we all lost our grip a little bit?

All joking aside, at the cost of these things new, might be worth it just to replace...

[Jim Frye]

Well, I said I cleaned the spreader bar, but not throughly. After reading Loring's post, I went back and wiped it down with MS and then went over the bar with 600 wet/dry paper to remove the rust from glue spill. Bar is bright and shiny now and the clamp has a new grip on reality. Also after removing the labels I discovered the old Quick Grip clamp body cannot be disassembled. It's apparently hot riveted together, so replacement is the option when the clamp can't get a grip on the bar properly. Lowes has them in stock for &17.97.

[capncarl]

Some of the side plates on my Quick Grip clamps have come off. I think a couple of well placed prying tools will pop off the cover.

[dbhost]

Bar is bright and shiny now and the clamp has a new grip on reality.

Glad to know one of us has a grip!

Okay I'll see myself out....

[capncarl]

I think I saw that Rockler has their version of a quick clamp that has a spring assist closing. That might be a nice feature.

[LCHIEN]

Jim, are you using the Quick Grip minis or the regular?
I've got some of the regular and at least 20 of the minis. in 6" and also some longer ones.

They also have a micro.

[Jim Frye]

These are the regular 6" clamps. When I bought them, the other 6" styles didn't exist. They're old like me.

[duramen]

The ones from Harbor Freight are not very good, but they have a lifetime guarantee. I am referring to the cheapest ones in black with gray pads. My spouse uses the tiny 4 inch clamps for her projects and they break fairly often. The ratchet starts to slip and then they don't hold.

Harbor Freight replaces them for free when they stop working. I assume the same is true for the larger black-and-gray ratcheting clamps, which are otherwise identical.

[dbhost]

The ones from Harbor Freight are not very good, but they have a lifetime guarantee. I am referring to the cheapest ones in black with gray pads. My spouse uses the tiny 4 inch clamps for her projects and they break fairly often. The ratchet starts to slip and then they don't hold.

Harbor Freight replaces them for free when they stop working. I assume the same is true for the larger black-and-gray ratcheting clamps, which are otherwise identical.

Those have a reputation. My HF Quick Clamps are only in my inventory because of free coupons for them...