Thread: McJing Holdfasts - any one have them?

Ross I don't have them but have seen them at their store they are good quality and heavy.

Ray

I have both sizes and they do the job. They are cast and ideally you want forged ones with a bit of spring. It normally takes a few more hits of the hammer than you see on the podcasts.

The expensive ones from other stores probably do a better job but there is a very large price difference.

I have the large one and yes it takes a few blows with a hammer or mallet to remove them, but they set well and are especially good for holding router projects.

Originally Posted by Pat

I have the large on and yes it takes a few blows with a hammer or mallet to remove them, but they set well and are especially good for holding router projects.

bragger

How much are they each?

Edit: just did my own search $12 or $16 each! Cheap

$12 small
$16 large

I think the fancy ones are around $70

Yep, best price I can find is Grammercy $80 for 2, otherwise they are averaging $70 each.

The Grammercy hold downs are forged, $70-80US gets you a nearly unbreakable, hand or machine forged hold down.

The 'cheap' cast iron hold downs are temporary, one whack too many & you have 2 bits of cast iron for the recycle bin There is a chance that they have been made from 'malleable' cast iron, which is less likely to break.

I have a couple of Lee Valley hold downs, and I have the gear to make my own hold downs if the fancy should take me.

Dumb question,

How do these things work? Do you drill a hole in the bench top and use the cross torque to hold things in place?

About 4 minutes into this video (18 MB) will show you how to use holdfasts.

http://blip.tv/file/get/PWMagazine-H...hDesign704.flv

here is the 70 MB version if you have lots of internet to burn

http://blip.tv/file/get/PWMagazine-H...hDesign833.m4v

Thanks Guys -

My primary concern was that you could set them OK, & from your comments it seems that they will do that. However if they are cast & liable to stress fractures over the longer term, then maybe the price is false economy. A forger holdfast should last a lifetime.

I was interested in this (beautiful forging) but got no reply from the backsmith:

Thanks Blackhole, I assume the holes in the benchtop are 0.0005 mm greater in diameter then the benchdog.

On balance I decided to go with the Alaskan forged holdhasts pictured above. Finally got an email reply - I think my original message must have gone to the great bit-bucket in the sky, as the response to my folow up message was very prompt.

I decided that if I break a McJing one (or two) I will start to approach the cost of the forged ones anyway, and I am a sucker for well crafted tools

They have already been forged for me & posted. When they arrive, I'll provide a quick update on how well (or other wise) they work.

Originally Posted by RossM

On balance I decided to go with the Alaskan forged holdhasts pictured above. Finally got an email reply - I think my original message must have gone to the great bit-bucket in the sky, as the response to my folow up message was very prompt.

I decided that if I break a McJing one (or two) I will start to approach the cost of the forged ones anyway, and I am a sucked for well crafted tools

They have already been forged for me & posted. When they arrive, I'll post a quick update on how well (or other wise) they work.

Sounds like we may need to do a group buy of forged holdfasts. Anyone know a tame blacksmith who might like to try?