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Thread: Torquata parallel clamps
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5th January 2018, 09:58 AM #16GOLD MEMBER
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When I originally viewed these on the Timbecon website I didn't watch the embedded video, I have since done so. The presenter mentions bar flex on a number of occasions and at one stage (when she clamps the panel at the jaw tips) there seems to be some flex visible to the eye (and this is with the 300mm size). When a one handed quick action clamp is introduced to the glue up it is obvious that the bar of both styles of clamp are more likely than not identical, certainly the bar dimensions appear the same.
I had a giggle when, after making such a big deal about the bar protection pads, she failed to use them when performing the glue up. Although I have never used this type of pad, also used by Bessey, I've always thought of them as practically useless, but I'd be happy to defer to the opinion of those who have experience with their use. The fact that there are only ever two of these pads provided with each clamp (two pads for a 1500mm clamp, really? - they must be joking) and, in the case of Besseys that replacements are such an extraordinary price, has always made me wonder how serious the manufacturers take them. The fact that there seems little comment on them leads me to the conclusion that users tend to think of them as a useless gimmick. I find that 10mm plastic U strip, the type used on the edge of fibrous sheet, clips very nicely on the bars of my Jet and Parallel Action Clamps, providing a continuous support for the material clamped and protection for the bar from glue while losing less than 3mm of the depth of the clamping face. Because it provides that continuous support you can still effectively use other clamps to clamp a panel from top to bottom for maximum flatness, something that I suspect is impossible with the bar protection pads.
Unlike full size parallel jaw clamps the bar's don't appear to have any positive locating indentations for the sliding jaw, which would limit available clamping pressure even if the bar was big enough to provide it. The only advantage these appear to offer over a deep jaw Irwin Quick Grip clamp is the ability to partially release applied pressure to make adjustments.
While acknowledging that these clamps may suit some users I don't think that they can provide the power and versatility of a full size parallel jaw clamp. Sure they're much cheaper than a comparable size Bessey K-Body, but there are other full size alternatives available that represent much better value. If I was considering buying some of the Torquata clamps Labrats experience with the oily staining from the jaw pads would be a deal breaker for me.
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5th January 2018, 12:52 PM #17
Aldav, I liked the idea for the edge clip. The drying glue onto the serrations irritates me badly!
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5th January 2018, 03:48 PM #18SENIOR MEMBER
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Can fully agree with you Aldav regarding the the bar protector pads, they do so little and just get in the way. When i first got my besseys i though cool just spent loads of money on clamps better take care of them, used the bar protectors for two glue ups got fed up with it and now they all sit in a box somewhere in the shed.
Have also tried masking tape, but also got annoyed with the tape as you need to set it up every time as the sliding end doesn't slide over the tape very well.
Now all I do is before each glue up give the bars a quick rub with some wax and find that any excess on the bars comes off fairly easily.
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21st January 2018, 03:59 PM #19SENIOR MEMBER
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I'm also after some parallel clamps and are looking at the Torquata's (900mm) but I also looked at the heavy duty Irwin's and they look OK as well for my limited needs. They were straight with no noticeable flex and the pads remained reasonably parallel. I've read the above posts and I've heard from many that are happy with the Torqauta's but how do the heavy duty Irwin's compare? I also noted some of the new useful accessories you can buy eg miter clamp, hold downs etc.
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21st January 2018, 11:56 PM #20Senior Member
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Hi Barri,
I have some heavy duty Irwin trigger clamps I bought when they were on special at Trade Tools for aprox half the normal cost. They are only the 600mm size although bigger versions are available. They do have a black plastic insert that fills the space inside the jaws making them "sort of parallel" and even though the mechanism is not like the parallel clamps I can not see any reason they would not be perfectly OK for the occasional panel glue up, where the joints are fitted properly and are being used only to bring the joint together while the glue sets. There is the added bonus that they are a really versatile clamp for other stuff. The parallel clamps I have are only pulled out when there is a panel to be done or some case that needs them, the rest of the time they just sit there. Probably not the best use of my limited funds.
Really anything can be used to glue up a panel, before I had any big clamps I used to put a sheet of ply in a narrow passage, at my father in laws, with brick walls on each side and use wedges to hold the joints together, lay on my stomach and use my version of winding sticks to check for flatness and give a couple of carefully placed whacks to bring everything into alignment and then hammer the wedges home. An off cut of laminate and a few cement blocks on top to act as caules until the glue set.. The only real down side was the comments from my father in law about me blocking access to "his" downstairs toilet. All the best.
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22nd January 2018, 12:11 AM #21Senior Member
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Hello Aldav, I was not trying to put people off the Torqueta clamps as apart from that one issue they are working well. I am still making the pads for my Torqueta clamps from some fairly soft Asian plywood which still need to have the mortices routed to fit over the bar and will be held in place with some of the excellent Aldi double sided tape.
As an interim step I have used some of that really thick stiff clear packing tape on the jaws and it seems to have fixed the problem and although I will continue to fit the ply jaws I now don't think I really need to as this quick fix has worked so well and the tape has not fallen off. All the best.
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22nd January 2018, 12:00 PM #22SENIOR MEMBER
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Hi Barri,
I have both Irwins and Besseys.
I purchased the Irwins (varying lengths) when i started woodworking and made a king size bed with them so they are definitely capable for large panel glueups.
I've had my Besseys for about a year now, and have wondered why i didnt get them earlier. They make glueups that much easier, but you need to plan your glueups as they can also be very frustrating to use.
Having said that there are a number of times when using parallel clamps is simply impossible/not feasible.
So the notion of you can never have enough clamps is still valid and buy both. However if you can only have one type i wouldn't know what I'd choose...
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22nd January 2018, 09:45 PM #23GOLD MEMBER
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i get paid for my timber work and have many many clamps, i’ve got jets, irwin’s , besseys and Aldavs are the best value for money i’ve found.
I have only picked up and examined the Torquata (not used in my work) but found them not as substantial as Aldavs.Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs .
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24th January 2018, 08:01 PM #24SENIOR MEMBER
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Paid Timbecon a visit today and picked up a couple of the 915mm parallel clamps and did a glue up when I got back to my shed with three 19mm boards. I was impressed. There was none of the oily residue mentioned above and there was no noticeable bar flex. The pads remained parallel and at 90 deg. to the bar and their overall weight was easily manageable and while the bar is similar to the Irwin's in quality and solidness it definitely has a place in my workshop and is great value for what it does, however, I wouldn't use them in a much "heavier" or larger situation. Great for boxes and cabinets.
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24th January 2018, 09:50 PM #25Senior Member
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Hi barri,
I'm glad you did not have any issues with oily marks on your timber when you used the clamps.
I was glueing an over sized base for a rocker recliner that is around 115mm higher than the original and about 250mm longer. It was made of NG rosewood which is a quiet dry and brittle timber. I was clamping a wide boards that was morticed into the sides so used two clamps for each board all clamps left the oily residue. Perhaps it is just my clamp pads that are the issue or something to do with the sponge like qualities of NG rosewood drawing the oily stuff out. all the best
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2nd February 2018, 05:19 PM #26SENIOR MEMBER
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2nd February 2018, 10:43 PM #27SENIOR MEMBER
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Yes there are obvious vested interests, bias and willingness to put down rival brands coming through loud and clear in this thread.
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3rd February 2018, 09:31 AM #28Woodworking mechanic
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I thought it was a fair comparison and assessment of different brands of clamps from a number of people. I for one, like the fact that various users of clamps are willing to states pros and cons so I have some idea of what brands to buy and what to look for.
JMO
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3rd February 2018, 12:51 PM #29
For goodness sake... Stop reading things into what is obviously intended as helpful information.
Some people just want to help with the knowledge they've gleaned from use and experience this doesn't mean they have a vested interest in a product or a willingness to put down another brand or product.
Pointing out factual differences between products should be considered as helpful or at its worst creative criticism not vested interests, bias and a willingness to put down rival brands.KEEP A LID ON THE GARBAGE... Report spam, scams, and inappropriate posts, PMs and Blogs.
Use the Report icon at the bottom of all Posts, PM's and Blog entries.
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3rd February 2018, 02:31 PM #30GOLD MEMBER
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perhaps i should have mentioned how many thousands of dollars i have paid for my clamps and how they are pretty much in daily use and that i have no vested interest in any of the companies whom i have bought from.
Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything, but they
bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs .
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