Last week I was laminating up two layers of rock maple for my new workbench
frame. I did two assemblies at a time (i.e. four pieces total) figuring
that would give me more even clamping pressure with the greater thickness,
plus it makes your clamps go twice as far. In trying to determine a
favorite, I've purchase 4-8 each of the Bessey K's, Cabinetmasters and Gross
Stabil PC2s. I don't have any of the new Jet parralels, but they look
interesting.
Anywho, I cranked pretty good on all the clamps to get a nice even glue
sqeeze out along the edges, and I snapped the inner jaws on one of the
Cabinetmasters. It looks like the Cabinetmasters have aluminum jaws,
compared to steel jaws on the German clamps. The Gross Stabils really look
substantial, I don't think I'd be strong enough to snap those under any
circumstance.
As far as the Cabinetmasters, has anyone else experienced this or did I get
a bad clamp in need of return to Fleet Farm?
"Joe Tylicki" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Thanks Leon. Whats the best way to contact them for this? I assume I
> shouldn't go back to the store. Also, the botton section seems to be
> riveted together. Do you drill those out or do they send you a whole new
> bottom jaw?
Call, (312) 666-0640 The number is also at the bottom of their web page
at http://www.adjustableclamp.com/
Just call them and tell them how many broken ones you have. They will also
explain what caused the breakage.
The repair is simple. They send you a new handle along with the iron piece
that it screws into. Only a small philps head screw driver is needed. You
will slide the clamp off the end of the bar and then remove the small screw
at the top of the clamp that holds the small cap on. Slide the cap off and
the guts will slide out. Exchange the spring and gripping pieces and
reverse to reassemble. After you do the first one the rest take agbout 1
minute to repair. DON'T drill anything. :~)
>
> Yes, I realize I am probably clamping too tightly. Maybe the boards
> weren't quite flat enough after sitting a week after dimensioning. So far
> the lamination has held up fine.
Mine broke when gluing up 5 1x4's to make table legs. I noticed also that
the clamps broke when the handle was almost screwed all the way out causing
the angle in the internal components to be greater.
"LP" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>>
>>
> I dont know anything about any of those clamps but if you're cranking
> hard enough to break one you're using way too much force.
Agreed, however Jorgesen does admit that there was a casting problem causing
voids. They have switched to iron.
>
> The key is finesse, not force, and even aluminum should be sufficient
> to get the job done.
Heh heh, you know clamps are like women. Variety is the spice of life.
"Andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >In trying to determine a favorite, I've purchase 4-8 each of the Bessey
> >K's, Cabinetmasters and Gross Stabil PC2s.
>
> Feel free to send me whichever ones aren't your favorites.
> Andy
>
On Mon, 27 Feb 2006 03:51:20 GMT, "Joe Tylicki"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Last week I was laminating up two layers of rock maple for my new workbench
>frame. I did two assemblies at a time (i.e. four pieces total) figuring
>that would give me more even clamping pressure with the greater thickness,
>plus it makes your clamps go twice as far. In trying to determine a
>favorite, I've purchase 4-8 each of the Bessey K's, Cabinetmasters and Gross
>Stabil PC2s. I don't have any of the new Jet parralels, but they look
>interesting.
>
>Anywho, I cranked pretty good on all the clamps to get a nice even glue
>sqeeze out along the edges, and I snapped the inner jaws on one of the
>Cabinetmasters. It looks like the Cabinetmasters have aluminum jaws,
>compared to steel jaws on the German clamps. The Gross Stabils really look
>substantial, I don't think I'd be strong enough to snap those under any
>circumstance.
>
>As far as the Cabinetmasters, has anyone else experienced this or did I get
>a bad clamp in need of return to Fleet Farm?
>
>
I dont know anything about any of those clamps but if you're cranking
hard enough to break one you're using way too much force.
The key is finesse, not force, and even aluminum should be sufficient
to get the job done.
Thanks Leon. Whats the best way to contact them for this? I assume I
shouldn't go back to the store. Also, the botton section seems to be
riveted together. Do you drill those out or do they send you a whole new
bottom jaw?
Yes, I realize I am probably clamping too tightly. Maybe the boards weren't
quite flat enough after sitting a week after dimensioning. So far the
lamination has held up fine.
>
> I am a strong guy too. :~) LOL I have had 6 break. Jorgensen will
> gladly replace the broken piece for free and the replacement is a more
> ferrous material. Slightly heavier but they work much more smoothly than
> the aluminum ones. Jorgensen told me that they will stand behind the
> clamps for as long as I have them. Noooo complaints here.
>
>
>
>
>
"Joe Tylicki" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Last week I was laminating up two layers of rock maple for my new
> workbench frame. I did two assemblies at a time (i.e. four pieces total)
> figuring that would give me more even clamping pressure with the greater
> thickness, plus it makes your clamps go twice as far. In trying to
> determine a favorite, I've purchase 4-8 each of the Bessey K's,
> Cabinetmasters and Gross Stabil PC2s. I don't have any of the new Jet
> parralels, but they look interesting.
>
> Anywho, I cranked pretty good on all the clamps to get a nice even glue
> sqeeze out along the edges, and I snapped the inner jaws on one of the
> Cabinetmasters. It looks like the Cabinetmasters have aluminum jaws,
> compared to steel jaws on the German clamps. The Gross Stabils really
> look substantial, I don't think I'd be strong enough to snap those under
> any circumstance.
>
> As far as the Cabinetmasters, has anyone else experienced this or did I
> get a bad clamp in need of return to Fleet Farm?
I am a strong guy too. :~) LOL I have had 6 break. Jorgensen will
gladly replace the broken piece for free and the replacement is a more
ferrous material. Slightly heavier but they work much more smoothly than
the aluminum ones. Jorgensen told me that they will stand behind the
clamps for as long as I have them. Noooo complaints here.