Thread: Opinions on Superjaws, please . . .

I have heard it said that the Superjaws are the best product that Triton never invented.

The story goes along the lines of a builder who only had the full use of one hand had trouble holding his work while trying to wind a vise. Hence, using some timber, string and nails, came up wit a very rough concept of a foot powered vise.

He took this concept to Triton who did a fair bit of work and brought it to market.

As for the product, from the mouth of a distributor, so accept that though I try to be fair, there is an underlying essence of bias.

The good bits.
Folds up easily after use

VERY strong. Said that there is 1000Kg of pressure. I am under the impression that the leverage is a ratio of 9 to 1, based on downward pressure applied by the foot of the user. Hence, do not expect your baby girl to get 1000Kg out of it. It is not electric or hydraulic.

Great access. Compared to bench mounted vises, you can access your work from all sides. This makes most tasks a great deal easier.

Fast. Because the sliding jaw "slides" throughout its range, you do not waste time winding to get the workpiece in. You also do not need to use a clutch, so your hands are free.

Big capacity. With the rubber/plastic jaws removed, the jaws open to 900mm. This is wide enough to clamp many doors or other projects.

Stable. Because the legs form a wide triangle, the superjaws do not require a level surface to work without rocking.

Versatile. Currently, there are 3 jaw types available. The superjaws come with pastic jaws as standard. Cast jaws and log jaws are also available.

The Log & Pole jaws allow you to cut logs with a chainsaw while standing, instead of leaning over a free rolling log.
Advantages of this include; less fatigue on your lower back, less kickback, less chance of chainsaw tip hitting the dirt and hence less time wasted sharpening.

The cast jaws include a fairly soild anvil. This is very handy when working on site.


Now for the down side.
It is heavy. Weighs aroung 20Kg. Don't expect to carry the superjaws, a chainsaw, fuel, oil and an axe with you for a stroll to collect some kindling for a camp fire.

It bites. There are pinch points on the superjaws that you do need to be careful of.

It kicks. If you do not read or follow the instructions, the superjaws will kick you in the shin and make you cry. Everyone who has a superjaws seems to experience this once. (Myself included) After the first bou of pain, closely followed by a sore toe after you kick the superjaws then a brief feeling of stupidity as you notice the warning that you did not head clearly printed on the product.

It has a dead spot. Somewhere around the 400mm to 450mm range is a dead spot that the superjaws does not clamp. This can be alleviated by using a scrap packer.

Sorry, had a call and have to go.

In brief, good, solid product that is fast to use.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Originally Posted by Bob Childress

Whilst watching the U-Beaut demo video (thanks to Gumby and Stuart and many others for the videos available on the forums!) I was struck by the holding mechanism being used. Looked great, so did a little research, found out they are Superjaws from Triton. Found some US sources but very few Yanks are familar with it, so thought I'd go directly to the horse's mouth (so to speak). A good investment? Does it work as well as it looked to do? Any noticable problems?:confused:

All input cheerfully accepted.

Well you know I use it, so this is no surprise. They rock! I've used them for all sorts of things, from a very powerful clamp, through to a delicate press (sweezing turned pens together, and they are very fragile). It allows you to be very subtle with the pressure, while leaving both hands free to carefully support the pen.

I find they are great for chainsawing firewood, because of their inherent stability, you can have a very offcentre load, and they don't tip.

It would be no surprise to you then, that I own 2 of them (not counting my demo model I received recently!)

I like the older - Aussie made version. I have not seen the Chinese one that is about to hit the market, so I will not pass judgement / or a recommendation on that version.

Originally Posted by Bob Childress

A good investment? Does it work as well as it looked to do? Any noticable problems?:confused:

Speaking from my own experiernce as I have one, a little shoddily made, parts have broken where the legs fold so am not impressed and it currently gets little if ever use. Not impressed quite frankly.

Handiest thing since sliced bread.

It is the only triton tool in the shed.

Best bit of Triton gear I own. Gets used all the time.
I've had them several years and have had no problems with them.

I've got one that I've had for a few years. I think it is a great unit and I haven't had a problem with it.

I agree with TritonJapan that it is heavy but even at 20kgs it still quite portable so you can take it to the job site. You just have to make a second trip for the chainsaw and everything else.

I have never experienced the dead zone that TitonJapan mentioned but the unit has kicked me and I have caught a finger in one of the pinch points. Nothing serious though, just a blood blister and a few choice words and you're back into it again.

I don't agree with HotChips that the Super Jaws is shoddily made. I reckon mine is very well made.

I've clamped steel flat bar (about 20mm by 5mm cross section) in it quite a few times, using the cast engineers jaws, and bent it at right angles by pounding it with a large ball pien hammer. The jaws held the steel firmly without a problem.

They're


SUPER

Best thing since the mouse trap.
I have had two,
when i moved to Tassie it was the first purchase i made.
left old one in qld.

I've had mine for many years. To quote one of your lobby groups:

"You can have it if you can prise it from my cold, dead, fingers"

It is very useful, a little awkward to move around, but you really can't beat it for utility.

Thanks, mates

Sounds like a good investment. I'll have a go. It looks the bees knees. Everyone in this forum is super. BTW if you haven't got on to the videos yet, you're missing a treat.

Dazzler, you must quit being so subtle.

Originally Posted by TritonJapan

The Log & Pole jaws allow you to cut logs with a chainsaw while standing, instead of leaning over a free rolling log.
Advantages of this include; less fatigue on your lower back, less kickback, less chance of chainsaw tip hitting the dirt and hence less time wasted sharpening.

I use one of these while doing chainsaw training at work. The logs that I have people cutting are much too heavy to lift into the jaws, but with the addition of the engineers jaws I've found it to be awesome for using as a sharpening station for large numbers of chainsaws.

Damo

Also, where it says to keep your "hands away" - do so. Mine took a chunk of skin out of my thumb about 5mm across and almost as deep. It didn't hurt to touch but I was aware of it until it healed.

Otherwise they are awesome...

Wot everyone else said, they are an outstandingly useful product.

I use mine nearly every time I go in the shed, it is near the front & ready to go. I hold firewood in it all the time for cutting, very stable. The kids use it to hold their wood when cutting up for projects, etc, etc.

10 outa 10.

Same as everyone, I have been bitten by the pinch point at the front, as has my 8yo daughter. Man, does that hurt! The new model looks (in the piccies anyway) to have resolved this minor problem.


Cheers...............Sean