CompressX Double Action Scissor Clamp

**Optimark** · 26th October 2008, 07:05 PM

Not being able to get to the Melbourne WWW show until Sunday, I had heard that there was nothing new there. I think, there was something new!

A family from Qld, mum, dad and daughter, with a nifty looking clamping system that dad had designed in his spare time whilst practising his woodworking hobby. I chanced upon the stand, ordinary looking, but the product looked interesting and certainly looked very well made. Mum was minding the stand, I asked a couple of questions, she suggested that maybe I should head around to where demonstrations were in progress, the product was being demonstrated, I did.

This was one of the better decisions I have made, like most people with their own product; dad was quite passionate about his product. Daughter was videoing for posterity and handing out A5 leaflets. Not quite shoestring stuff, but you could see where they have come from.

I like the product and believe it is a quantum leap from using sash clamps; I will in the future purchase some, possibly with a set of longer steel bars at a later date.

http://www.compressx.com.au/index.php

The product is certainly put together to a very high standard, their colour scheme appears to have been carefully chosen and possibly will stand them in good stead. The pamphlet explains that dad has spent over thirty five years in the metal fabrications trade. The standard of finish, on what is basically a simple product, is very high, suggesting that dad is good at his job.

Mum and dad have full time jobs, I wonder if that will continue?

It isn’t a cheap product, neither are the HNT Gordon planes I purchased today.

Mick.

**pitbull** · 27th October 2008, 04:44 AM

Looks pretty good to me Mick.

**Rattrap** · 27th October 2008, 07:56 AM

I stumbled on their web site a few weeks ago & was very impressed with the concept but the price was the killer for me considering u'll be wanting at least 3 of them, over $800 for clamps is a hard pill to swallow.

**The Bleeder** · 27th October 2008, 08:28 AM

I aggree Rattrap, price is a bit of a killer. Although I'm impressed with it. Time to save those pennies.

Steve

**fubar** · 27th October 2008, 09:56 AM

have alook in carbatec theybeen selling similar gear for years

**Woodwould** · 27th October 2008, 10:23 AM

The principle has been around for generations. I've seen old ones made completely from wood. The screws and blocks used to be available in kit form for home assembly using your box steel and flat steel bar.

The prices of these clamps are outrageous!

**NCArcher** · 27th October 2008, 10:23 AM

There is a post on here somewhere that shows home made versions of these clamps but long before these were invented in "late 2007".
Nothing against the manufacturer, he has the patent.
A lot more money than I am willing to pay I'm afraid.

**Woodwould** · 27th October 2008, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by fubar

have alook in carbatec theybeen selling similar gear for years

Indeed, Carba-Tec sell virtually the same clamps but with wooden 'bars' for $49.

**Woodwould** · 27th October 2008, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Nothing against the manufacturer, he has the patent.

I don't know how they got the patent when the same thing has been around for years. My guess is they came across an old set of the DIY clamps I mentioned above and proceeded from there. These 'new' ones appear identical to the kit-form ones I remember.

This practice and pricing really annoys me.

**Rattrap** · 27th October 2008, 11:41 AM

Well i'll be buggered. Here i was trying to figure out how to make them myself. Thanks woodwould i'm gonna pop into carba-tec & put in an order this week for a cpl sets. They love me in there, or at least my wallet. lol.

**kevjed** · 27th October 2008, 11:55 AM

OK guys,
I just picked up a set of these things for my school. Yes they are pricey, yes they are very similar to a number of products on the market....but....they are not the same.
They are very heavy duty....time will tell as to how well they last in a high school setting with teenage boys.
Made of thick wall HT hollow section...should be up to the job
Even pressure is applied from both top and bottom....also side to side

can get away with clamps @ 800mm centres(700mm probably better?)

I saw the demo's and was impressed....the school had pre orderd so I was just picking them up and delivering the payment.
I thought they would be just a copy of the things I'd seen at other shows/stores but I'm impressed so far.
I'll try to give them a go later in the week and let you know what I think after I've had some hands on.
Kevin
PS only(?) $450 a pair at the show

**Woodwould** · 27th October 2008, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by kevjed

OK guys,
I just picked up a set of these things for my school. Yes they are pricey, yes they are very similar to a number of products on the market....but....they are not the same.
They are very heavy duty....time will tell as to how well they last in a high school setting with teenage boys.
Made of thick wall HT hollow section...should be up to the job
Even pressure is applied from both top and bottom....also side to side

can get away with clamps @ 800mm centres(700mm probably better?)

I saw the demo's and was impressed....the school had pre orderd so I was just picking them up and delivering the payment.
I thought they would be just a copy of the things I'd seen at other shows/stores but I'm impressed so far.
I'll try to give them a go later in the week and let you know what I think after I've had some hands on.
Kevin
PS only(?) $450 a pair at the show

What thread form have they used for the screws? Is it an Acme or other square-shouldered thread, or are they just lengths of common allthread?

An hour with a drill press, a few lengths of 32 x 6 flat bar, 20 x 20 square bar, 25 x 25 square bar, 3/4-10 UNC allthread, 75 x 25 x 2.5 RHS and fourteen 1/2-13 UNC bolts, nuts and washers would make you a pair of these clamps for the price of a couple of mid size G-clamps.

**kevjed** · 27th October 2008, 12:41 PM

They are still in the boot of my car. I'll get them out at the end of the day but I have my camera at home. I agree that you could make them yourself...but to make them to this standard and just make one set with charging out your time at $50/hr...time on the phone getting the best prices using high tesile bolts steel tube...
OK... give me a few days and I'll get some pics up for you
It wasn't my money I put down but I think he is onto a class leading product....
I'll let you know after I've had a good play.
kevin

**mat** · 28th October 2008, 07:35 AM

One of the problems with these clamps is that they clamp down to 20mm. Not that great if you are clamping 19mm (3/4 inch) panels. They say you can use packers but that is not user friendly.

A bit of a mistake to use 20mm bar for the blocks rather than 18mm which would have got around this problem.

**Woodwould** · 28th October 2008, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by mat

One of the problems with these clamps is that they clamp down to 20mm. Not that great if you are clamping 19mm (3/4 inch) panels. They say you can use packers but that is not user friendly.

A bit of a mistake to use 20mm bar for the blocks rather than 18mm which would have got around this problem.

If you made your own clamps using 16 x 16 square bar and 5/8-11 UNC allthread, you would easily get around this glitch.

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