Irwin clamps - any good?

stephenmarklay · 8th January 2010, 01:18 PM

I am going to get a set of clamps - like a set of 24" and a set of 12". Are the light weight Irwin clamps good or should I look at others?

tvrgeek · 10th January 2010, 09:22 PM

I am old school. I like big iron. Jorgson bar and pipe clamps. The "quick squeese" I never could get as much force as I wanted.

Actually, I use WEB clamps the most. Either my old Stanley belts or just rope and a dowel.

kevinahcc20 · 10th January 2010, 10:50 PM

I have tried them all & the best I have found are Bessey K-Body clamps. Very well made & much more versatile than pipe or bar clamps. They are not cheap...you can find a set of 4 (2-24" & 2-40") on the net for about $150. It's a lot but once you get a set all of your other clamps will gather dust.

Kevin

stephenmarklay · 11th January 2010, 01:44 PM

Thanks guys. I figured that the quick pull type were not as good. They have Jorgsons at my local ACE and look very sturdy. The Bessey clamps look great. I saw they have great reviews on Amazon except for the shipping which, for whatever reason, ruins many of them before the arrive.

kevinahcc20 · 11th January 2010, 07:28 PM

Stephen,

If there is a Rockler or Woodcraft woodworkers store in your area you can buy Bessey clamps there.

Kevin

stephenmarklay · 13th January 2010, 02:13 AM

I will look into this Kevin -THANKS! BTW I grew up not too far from you in Clarkston and Commerce Township area.

EC8010 · 17th January 2010, 10:44 AM

I use the Irwin quick clamps and think they're great. I was a bit dubious at first (I have plenty of Record G clamps), so I only bought two. But they were good, so I bought three more. Then I discovered that it's easier to make a loudspeaker box almost all at once, so I bought another five. But that still wasn't enough, so I bought the remaining four in the shop.

Why/when do I like them? It's a lot easier using a clamp that requires only one hand. Manoeuvring everything carefully into position only for it to slip as you tighten a G-clamp is frustrating. Agreed, they can't apply as much force as a G-clamp, but it's usually enough.

By the way, the full quote is, "I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy" (Tom Waits).

stephenmarklay · 17th January 2010, 09:46 PM

EC8010, I was actually thinking of getting a few just for the reasons you posted. You can always do a quick clamp and them add a G-clamp if it is needed. With some planned mini monitors I would like to glue them up all at once. Front and rear baffles being removable.

EC8010 · 19th January 2010, 07:32 PM

I think they should do you just nicely. Do make sure you buy the longest clamps, though. You pay for the clever bits, not the steel bar, and it would be a shame to buy some that are too short for a later job. Just so that we're talking about the same thing, the ones I have are the 24" Quick Grip.

stephenmarklay · 19th January 2010, 07:38 PM

Yep we are on the same page. They do make them in "industrial" which are made a bit heavier duty. I will do a few of those in 24"

8th January 2010, 01:18 PM	#1
stephenmarklay diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009	Irwin clamps - any good? I am going to get a set of clamps - like a set of 24" and a set of 12". Are the light weight Irwin clamps good or should I look at others?

10th January 2010, 10:50 PM	#3
kevinahcc20 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Farmington Hills, MI USA	Clamps...the Best I have tried them all & the best I have found are Bessey K-Body clamps. Very well made & much more versatile than pipe or bar clamps. They are not cheap...you can find a set of 4 (2-24" & 2-40") on the net for about $150. It's a lot but once you get a set all of your other clamps will gather dust. Kevin __________________ Kevin(ahcc20)...I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!

11th January 2010, 07:28 PM	#5
kevinahcc20 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Farmington Hills, MI USA	Stephen, If there is a Rockler or Woodcraft woodworkers store in your area you can buy Bessey clamps there. Kevin __________________ Kevin(ahcc20)...I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!

17th January 2010, 10:44 AM	#7
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	I use the Irwin quick clamps and think they're great. I was a bit dubious at first (I have plenty of Record G clamps), so I only bought two. But they were good, so I bought three more. Then I discovered that it's easier to make a loudspeaker box almost all at once, so I bought another five. But that still wasn't enough, so I bought the remaining four in the shop. Why/when do I like them? It's a lot easier using a clamp that requires only one hand. Manoeuvring everything carefully into position only for it to slip as you tighten a G-clamp is frustrating. Agreed, they can't apply as much force as a G-clamp, but it's usually enough. By the way, the full quote is, "I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy" (Tom Waits). __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...

19th January 2010, 07:32 PM	#9
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	I think they should do you just nicely. Do make sure you buy the longest clamps, though. You pay for the clever bits, not the steel bar, and it would be a shame to buy some that are too short for a later job. Just so that we're talking about the same thing, the ones I have are the 24" Quick Grip. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

10th January 2010, 09:22 PM	#2
tvrgeek diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Md	I am old school. I like big iron. Jorgson bar and pipe clamps. The "quick squeese" I never could get as much force as I wanted. Actually, I use WEB clamps the most. Either my old Stanley belts or just rope and a dowel.

11th January 2010, 01:44 PM	#4
stephenmarklay diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009	Thanks guys. I figured that the quick pull type were not as good. They have Jorgsons at my local ACE and look very sturdy. The Bessey clamps look great. I saw they have great reviews on Amazon except for the shipping which, for whatever reason, ruins many of them before the arrive.

13th January 2010, 02:13 AM	#6
stephenmarklay diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009	I will look into this Kevin -THANKS! BTW I grew up not too far from you in Clarkston and Commerce Township area.

17th January 2010, 09:46 PM	#8
stephenmarklay diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009	EC8010, I was actually thinking of getting a few just for the reasons you posted. You can always do a quick clamp and them add a G-clamp if it is needed. With some planned mini monitors I would like to glue them up all at once. Front and rear baffles being removable.

19th January 2010, 07:38 PM	#10
stephenmarklay diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009	Yep we are on the same page. They do make them in "industrial" which are made a bit heavier duty. I will do a few of those in 24"

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
new full range speakers with clamps	ikymagoo	Full Range	2	23rd June 2009 05:36 AM
Capacitor Mounting Clamps	sorenj07	Parts	1	29th January 2007 12:58 AM
Capacitor Mounting Clamps	Mayank	Parts	5	7th December 2006 05:26 PM
need a source for capacitor clamps	homemade	Parts	1	24th March 2006 02:15 AM
Best way to glue wood without clamps?	mr_push_pull	Multi-Way	40	11th October 2004 06:21 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read