McJing Bent Bar Holdfast

[marphlix]

Hi All,

I noticed that McJing has a new holdfast - they are referring to as bent bar, as opposed to the cast iron one.(https://mcjing.com.au/categorybrowse...categoryid=456).

Any thoughts or experience with these? They are a fair bit cheaper than the Gramercy ones from HNT Gordon. I would expect they aren't the same sort of quality, but wondering if for the price they might be worth it?

Comments would be great. Cheers

[NCArcher]

They have a knurled shaft which I think would damage your bench top every time you used it.
The gramercy might be a bit more expensive but I believe they are the best holdfasts you can buy.
I have a pair of Gramercy and a pair of the older McJing and I only use the Gramercy. I used the McJings for some time before I got the Gramercy and never had a problem with them. They worked fine. The Gramercy are just a better shape and a better all round holdfast.

[FenceFurniture]

.......and I only use the Gramercy.

AHEM! Without wishing to rub it in......shouldn't that be "and I only used the Gramercy." (he's shedless atm marphlix, and in severe withdrawal - has to get a fix as a voyeur these days).

[Pat]

Marphlix, I have the older style McJing Hold down. I use it irregularly, but have two benchs set up to receive it. Hold things down tight and easy to move with a tap from the mallett.

Brett, you are evil to remind Tony of his lack of shed, I like it!

[NCArcher]

AHEM! Without wishing to rub it in......shouldn't that be "and I only used the Gramercy." (he's shedless atm marphlix, and in severe withdrawal - has to get a fix as a voyeur these days).

Show's how much you know. I've drilled dog holes in the kitchen table and use the Gramercy holdfasts to secure my plate at meal times. A considerable reduction in unsightly spills.
I'm watching you Pat

[FenceFurniture]

Show's how much you know. I've drilled dog holes in the kitchen table and use the Gramercy holdfasts to secure my plate at meal times.

So there's everything need to know marphlix - Gramercy in preference to McJing's even to hold a dinner plate (it's a good idea actually - I've seen him eat).

[marphlix]

Thanks, as i am just starting out, its good to know that a McJing won't be a complete waste - I would love the gramercy, but until i develop more, i don't think it can be justified. That and with our first bub on the way, not sure my wife would appreciate $95 over $18.

As for my bench, its a, home built, really rough, laminated radiata pine top (don't be too harsh on me please, it actually does work good enough for me if i weigh it down with some weights on the stretchers ). I will build a new proper one out of hardwood sometime (like i said when i develop more), but until i do, i'm not too worried about having to re-drill dog holes etc.

Thanks for your input!

[Pat]

Marphlix, we all start with rickety, light benches and next to no money for toys. a few projects to develop skills, a few projects for the good wife and bub, meet up with fellow woodies or join a club and then toys start appearing with the Minister for War and Finance's approval (before or after purchase )

[Evanism]

Don't be too harsh on your workbench. Half the blokes here are using old doors, $39 fold up plastic tables from bunnings, mongrel dining tables and crap they've dragged in from the neighbours council collection!

You can never have enough bench space

... Or tools. Or sandpaper. Or.....

[Chris Parks]

As for my bench, its a, home built, really rough, laminated radiata pine top

It's way better that Tony's kitchen table...

[Ian Wells]

It's way better that Tony's kitchen table...

I bought a pai of the macjing bent bar hold downs , had to draw file off the thread for them to work properly. They dont really have enough bend or flex in them and the flat pad on one is on an angle so it can slip a bit sideways.

[Evanism]

I bought a pai of the macjing bent bar hold downs , had to draw file off the thread for them to work properly. They dont really have enough bend or flex in them and the flat pad on one is on an angle so it can slip a bit sideways.

I was told that to make new holdfasts work well, one has to wrap the shaft in rough sandpaper and run it vigorously up and down, NOT axially.

This is so it binds properly.

I'm unsure if it's true or not, but it seems to work.

[marphlix]

I bought a pai of the macjing bent bar hold downs , had to draw file off the thread for them to work properly. They dont really have enough bend or flex in them and the flat pad on one is on an angle so it can slip a bit sideways.

Hi Ian,

I noticed the same thing. Check out what i did with mine here: https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...52#post1864552

Cheers, Dave

[Chris Parks]

Tony, you can use my shed when you want, just bring the holdfasts

[orraloon]

This may of use to some with getting some grip.
http://www.theenglishwoodworker.com/...ts-get-a-grip/

Regards
John