Thread: Mcjing lever clamps

So I take it nobody uses these clamps? ...Or is this just posted in the wrong place?
Cheers

Never used them. I played around with the Festo equivalent but was unimpressed, no noticeable advantage over other adjustable clamps on the market for me.

I have a pair of Klik Klamps - made by Bessy I think - that came with my Gifkins Jig,

They are good, mostly because of their light weight, a definite advantage when using the jig.

They look like the original Bessey Klik Klamps. They are good but the mechanisms were all plastic and failed more often than not.
Although more expensive, I had a look at these recently and they are very robust. The Besseys seem to be similarly constructed now.
I would spend a bit more and get something that had a better chance of going the distance.

Yes I've looked at these a few times and plan to see them in the flesh next time I'm in Sydney. The thing that would concern me is that the only part of these that is metal is the main bar, all the parts off the main bar are plastic. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and they are extremely cheap, so why don't you buy some and tell us what you think? If they're any good I might look at importing them!

All of the available versions of this style of clamp seem to have their problems; the Bessey's triggers break; the Carbatec one's (link in NCArcher's post above) have a much more robust, hardened steel locking jaw, which is unfortunately locking on a much softer alloy ratchet mechanism so that over time the steel erodes the teeth on the alloy. If you were considering getting the Carbatec one's, made by Ehoma in Taiwan, you would be wise to visit Gasweld where they are cheaper and available in multiple sizes - Quick Gear Clamp 300mm - Clamps - General Purpose - Hand Tools OR you could have a look at the one's I sell as marketed by Lee Valley and Stronghand Tools - 2 PCS Quick SET F BAR Ratchet Woody Clamp Bessey Kliklamp Ehoma Alternative | eBay.

Even though they are cheaper if you contact me direct via. PM they're still quite a bit more expensive than the McJing one's. I do charge the postage at cost though!

Cheers,
David

David, wondering what the clamping pressure on your clamps is compared to your regular F clamps?

John

Originally Posted by Yanis

David, wondering what the clamping pressure on your clamps is compared to your regular F clamps?

John

Hi John, Clamping pressure of these is 120Kg. So the same as Bessey Kliklamps and similar to Irwin SL300 clamps (140Kg) see below
Not quite sure what you mean by 'your regular F clamps'? The type that Carbatec and Gasweld sell are rated at 300Kg, which is a huge force for such a small clamp. Although I expected them to be rated higher than the other clamps I was surprised by the 300Kg rating. I went looking for the rating from Ehoma and couldn't find them in their catalogue anymore. There have always been at least two very similar models of these, one with holes through the cast jaws and the other with an imprint in the casting where the holes should be. Maybe Ehoma aren't making them any more. I've always considered them less of a woodworking clamp because they don't have a protective pad on one of the jaws. However, they are sold by many woodwork supply retailers around the world and with that many brands on them it isn't funny.

Cheers,
David

Thanks David. I have some of the Irwin std and HD from way back but don't use them much except for clamping stops and work holding in general.

This is what I am referring to as a regular F clamp. http://www.qwikfast.co.uk/wp-content...BAH4201000.jpg

John

Originally Posted by Yanis

Thanks David. I have some of the Irwin std and HD from way back but don't use them much except for clamping stops and work holding in general.

This is what I am referring to as a regular F clamp. http://www.qwikfast.co.uk/wp-content...BAH4201000.jpg

John

Right John, I've got it now. The pressure that can be applied with that type of clamp varies enormously depending on the dimensions of the components. For that style of clamp with the same throat depth - 75 to 80mm - I would expect the force to be higher, around the 250 to 300Kg mark. While there are obviously situations where you could use either style of clamp they are two very different clamps designed to excel at two different jobs. That's why Col Hosie sells and recommends Bessey Kliklamps' for use with the Gifkins Jig, they're better suited to that job.

A Bahco F clamp of similar clamping depth (80mm) and 200mm jaw opening (they don't make a 420-100-300) would cost you over $40 in Australia. Mind you there are plenty of cheapies available too! That type of F clamp requires two hands to place and tighten and tends to be quite heavy, whereas the ratchet clamp only requires one hand and is lighter and more easily handled. The ratchet clamp has a larger adjustable jaw and because of that and the lower pressure is less likely to mark your work. It's really a matter of 'horses for courses', the ratchet clamp provides more than enough pressure to bring together and hold two well manufactured parts. If you're trying to bring together and hold two poorly mated parts obviously the more pressure you can bring to bear the better and the F clamp is more likely to be your weapon of choice.

I find that I don't use F clamps very often and am much more likely to use smaller parallel jaw, quick grip, spring or ratchet clamps. Each to his own I guess.

Cheers,
David