Quick grip clamp jaw alignment

jmoore65 · Post by **jmoore65** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:57 pm

I just bought some Irwin Quick-Grip clamps. After looking at them for a bit, I realized the the jaws weren't square to the bar.

Is this intentional or a defect?

Jim

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:26 pm

jmoore65 wrote:I just bought some Irwin Quick-Grip clamps. After looking at them for a bit, I realized the the jaws weren't square to the bar.

Is this intentional or a defect?

Jim

I am no fan of Irwin (they purchase US companies and then send the manufacturing to China) but my Irwin clamps are that way too, so I wood guess that, unless there machinery is making them all wrong, they are that way by design.

jmoore65 · Post by **jmoore65** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:43 pm

Thanks letting me know your clamps are the same way.

In fact, I was at Home Depot this evening, and all the ones they have are the same way.

However, my older clamps are different. They are almost square to the bar. And, they are mostly parallel to each other (top jaw to bottom jaw).

Perhaps this is a design feature? I did notice that if I clamp down hard, the jaws seem to be flat against each other (at least with the rubber-ish caps on).
Might this slant be to compensate for flexing of the bar or jaw during clamping?

Jim

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 11:18 pm

jmoore65 wrote:...I did notice that if I clamp down hard, the jaws seem to be flat against each other (at least with the rubber-ish caps on).
Might this slant be to compensate for flexing of the bar or jaw during clamping?

Jim

I had noticed the same thing, and came to the same conclusion. Ain't we smart???:D

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:15 pm

Hi Jim, et al: Gotta add that I love the two Irwin quick clamps in my shop and intend to get some more of varying lengths. I've often wished I hadn't procrastinated in getting more. They are really handy for fast clamping of many objects.

That said - I feel they are lacking clamping strength for most wood joints that involve ¾" stock. They are just fine for lighter work. I will use them to temporally clamp up edge joints, only to come back later and set up the stronger clamps. Once the joint is closed the "open time" of the glue is extended. The trick is to NOT open the joint once it has been closed.

There are soooo many types and makes of clamps, it is almost impossible to have a pair of each type. http://www.justclamps.com/ They all have a special purpose for which they are superior.

I mostly prefer the Bessy K clamps for straight, & square edge gluing. Even their bar will flex a little with tight clamping.