Cummins Tools - Clamps???

"John Crea" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Have in the past bought clamps from them, and the bottom line is that
> the clamps are crap.
>
> John
>
You've summed up my opinion of everything I've ever seen there. And much of
the merchandise looks used...a lot. IMHO, you'd be better off frequenting
garage sales if you're looking for cheap stuff. Or, even better, buy
something good that works well and does so every time you use it, after all
the "pain" from the cost is a one-time event whereas crap will constantly
remind you that it is crap until you throw it out.

"Mike W." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> There is a cummins tool show coming to town this weekend and I was thinking
> of picking up a set of their F-bar clamps and big wood clamps. I know they
> aren't as good as Bessey or Jorgensen, but for light duty work when in a
> pinch, and for $20 and $25 respectively I figured it may be worth a shot.
> One 'GOOD' clamp costs that much.
>
> Am I asking for trouble or will they do the job. Here are links to them.
>
> http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,120.html
> http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,231.html
>
> Thanks,
> Mike
> (Holding his breath waiting for lectures on saving and buying good equipment
> the first time)

The Harbor Freight versions are about the same price or less and are
MUCH better. I like my HF wood clamps. The F clamps on sale at Home
Depot are a lot better than the HF F clamps, but of course much more
expensive. The HF F clamps are OK, not great, but better than Cummins.

Dave Hall

I see they are now calling Harbor Freight on wheels Cummins Tools. You get
what you pay for, no more free lunches guys.


"Mike W." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> There is a cummins tool show coming to town this weekend and I was
thinking
> of picking up a set of their F-bar clamps and big wood clamps. I know
they
> aren't as good as Bessey or Jorgensen, but for light duty work when in a
> pinch, and for $20 and $25 respectively I figured it may be worth a shot.
> One 'GOOD' clamp costs that much.
>
> Am I asking for trouble or will they do the job. Here are links to them.
>
> http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,120.html
> http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,231.html
>
> Thanks,
> Mike
> (Holding his breath waiting for lectures on saving and buying good
equipment
> the first time)
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.581 / Virus Database: 368 - Release Date: 2/9/2004
>
>

That is WAY too expensive.

I have bought Cheap Chinese F-clamps that work and some that don't.
You can't compare a K-body clamp to a regular F-clamp. F-clamps do not
provide parallel clamping force and have a relatively small clamping area
(about 1/2 sqaure inch). That just means that they can't provide as much
force, they tend to make your work-pieces slide a bit, and you may have to
use scrap blocks to protect your work.

That said, I have had good luck with the "pittsburgh" brand F-clamps from
Harbor freight... watch their sales The 6-inchers go on sale for around 3 or
4$. They come with little plastic pads which I hot-melt glue onto the clamp
so that they don't slide off.

For instance:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=5976

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34387

Someone else stated that over 24" they have too much flex... I tend to
agree. I think a pipe clamp is a better low-cost option when you get above
24".

Personally, I can't bring myself to pay $30-$50 for a top-of-the-line Bessy
K-body clamp. No doubt they are far superior... just a bit rich for my
blood.

YMMV

Don't pay $20 for a regular F-clamp

-Steve

"Mike W." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> There is a cummins tool show coming to town this weekend and I was
thinking
> of picking up a set of their F-bar clamps and big wood clamps. I know
they
> aren't as good as Bessey or Jorgensen, but for light duty work when in a
> pinch, and for $20 and $25 respectively I figured it may be worth a shot.
> One 'GOOD' clamp costs that much.
>
> Am I asking for trouble or will they do the job. Here are links to them.
>
> http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,120.html
> http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,231.html
>
> Thanks,
> Mike
> (Holding his breath waiting for lectures on saving and buying good
equipment
> the first time)
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.581 / Virus Database: 368 - Release Date: 2/9/2004
>
>

George wrote:

> You've summed up my opinion of everything I've ever seen there. And much

Mine too. Crap. Suitable only for deposit immediately into the nearest
Dumpster. It's amazing to walk away from a place filled with tools and
machines having felt not even the slightest impulse to buy anything.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

Have in the past bought clamps from them, and the bottom line is that
the clamps are crap. Cheaper to buy, yes, but when they work poorly
or fail, they are a poor bargain

HD has the Bessy Tradesman clamps on sale - worth checking into.

As to the big boys (parallel cabinet clamps), save those pennies and
buy the good stuff the first time around

John

On Tue, 17 Feb 2004 02:30:01 GMT, "Mike W."
<[email protected]> wrote:

>There is a cummins tool show coming to town this weekend and I was thinking
>of picking up a set of their F-bar clamps and big wood clamps. I know they
>aren't as good as Bessey or Jorgensen, but for light duty work when in a
>pinch, and for $20 and $25 respectively I figured it may be worth a shot.
>One 'GOOD' clamp costs that much.
>
>Am I asking for trouble or will they do the job. Here are links to them.
>
>http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,120.html
>http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,231.html
>
>Thanks,
>Mike
>(Holding his breath waiting for lectures on saving and buying good equipment
>the first time)
>
>
>---
>Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>Version: 6.0.581 / Virus Database: 368 - Release Date: 2/9/2004
>