Thread: Hold Down Toggle Clamps

I usually get mine on ebay.

Originally Posted by mat

I usually get mine on ebay.

Isn't it a sad state of affairs when you can buy ten from the US + Postage and still cheaper than buying 2 in Oz?

Can't agree more.

We needed a lot a few years ago for jigs for a job. By redisgning the jig a bit we were able to translate from overhead clamping to side clamping. We then used $3 door stopers, (plunger unit with a rubber foot and seperate release leaver) Worked quite well on that job.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...&filter=toggle

I think if the australian dollar persistently stays high.... (I think it's now 85ish, I bought some things a month ago and it was around 95) local places like carbatec are going to have some serious competition.

This guy on ebay


http://stores.ebay.com.au/C-TOOLS-PL...QQftidZ2QQtZkm


They are about half the price of the Carbatec ones and they work just fine.

Howdy
sorry to wander from original question but I have similar problem finding alternative to Irwin/Record holdfasts. I need to buy quantity suitable to fit out Man Arts classroom. I have ordered Veritas model to try but at $90 or so it still adds up to a large amount money when you fit out a class for 25-30 students. Any advice on cheaper version would be appreciated.

Use an old-fashioned holdfast ----McJing have them for less than $20 each (look under clamp)

This is just a proposal....has any body made any cam clamps......you can build them for vertical or horizontal use......and they work just as well as toggle clamps, and are basically made from scrap and/or mdf.

Once the box challenge is finished (tomorrow) i can draw up the plans and provide pics.

Originally Posted by jmk89

Use an old-fashioned holdfast ----McJing have them for less than $20 each (look under clamp)

Cheers for the info the look like they would be worth a try, you help is appreciated!!

Bob

What are you needing to "hold down"?

If the hold-down is needed near the edge of the support (e.g. drill press table), vise-grip pliers can be used very effectively. Like these: http://www.crawfordtool.com/vise-grips_cart.html (Near middle of page - models 6R, 11R, etc. The swivel pads are pretty nice, too.) I got most of my collection at garage sales; bought a few Chinese clones new, which are not much worse than half bad. Grizzly has a variation that engages slots in a drill press table, and IIRC, one of the WWF members has welded up some more versatile versions - search in the Metal Work forum.

Joe

Don't know if they ship "Down-under" but these are pretty nice for the price... http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...lamp&Submit=Go

I am making inquiries with an eBay seller that has comparable prices as Harbor Freight. Will let you know the shipping prices and there contact details.