488030 festool clamping elements two pack

J

Jaybolishes

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Joined
Apr 16, 2012
Messages
400
Ok, so I purchased the set and  used it to clamp five pieces of wood.  After the fifth board I released the locking lever and the clamp wouldnt slide back and open up.  I pulled the clamping element out to see what the heck is going on, and I was shocked to see the five times I used the clamp  it left five significant gouges in the rod of the clamp. You have got be kidding me, five clamps and this thing is already sticking from marring on the rod?  Wow! Can I get my money back for these! I love festool and these belong in a ryobi set, heck even ryobi wouldn't put their name on these.  Does anyone know what the knock off austrailian clamp is called. I  saw mention of it on an amazon review as better than the festool 488030 set. ?  I hope I can get my money back, not happy. [mad]

 I  hate to be a complainer, but this is an issue that needs to brought into the open for others who may shell out the dough for these.  My goodness how did the testers of these say, " well the metal is way too cheap, but it will work for a few times before it starts sticking and causing issues"
 
not sure but i would imagine that any shop would have to refund you your money on a 'defective' product within a sertain time frame.
i have not noticed this on mine but havent went looking either.

interested in the aussi knock off
 
Alan the wierd thing is its not like you can over tighten them, so how can this be? Every festool dealer and rep I've talked to have been so great, I'm sure they will refund it, I hope.   If they don't I'll still be able to use them I think.  But I'm just wondering what will happen after 100 clampings?  There won't be any metal left lol. It's an oddity in the festool lineup IMO
 
I've been using mine routinely for at least three years.  I just looked and don't have any gouges on mine, which was purchased locally in the US.  I've not heard of any knock offs, but it sounds like they should be avoided.  Mine are used enough and I'm satisfied enough that I've been planning on purchasing another set.  My only complaint has been mentioned here previously, and that is having sanded off the Festo logo on all but one.
 
There is a similar clamping set from Walko - on first look you think they're the same thing, but closer and you'll see they're quite poor ... Are you certain you actually do have the Festool clamps?

I'm In Oz and I don't know of a local version - would love info on such a thing  [smile]
 
Jay, before you engage the clamp make sure that the face of the clamp is NOT butted up against the material.  Leave a business card thickness, in some cases anymore.  The clamps, IMO, have a biiiit too much travel and need to be backed off a bit.  In doing this you still will have MORE than enough pressure when clamping said material but will not be digging into the rod much, if at all.  Like I said, there's too much throw in some of the clamps I've used.  Not all.

Interesting to hear that some folks don't have any marring.
 
Yeah Kev it was the festool dealer who sold it to me at my local store, and it said festool 488030 on the package with two sets of clamps.

 I guess I'm one of those boobs who can't figure out how to upload pics.  Would someone be willing to post my pic if they give me their email.  I can figure it out, but I'll need a day.  Thanks for the advice, I figured a little space between the work and the clamp would be the solution, but I have to say, it doesnt clamp very hard if I leave a little space before engaging the lever.  Thanks for the assistance.  
 
When you say you're not getting enough pressure by moving the face off the clamp off of the material, how far away are you pulling it?  Have you tried just a bit closer?  I've never seen this method fail.
 
I think it will be enough pressure for most things.  I'm just surprised I have to be so careful with them.   These babies are the Cadillac of clamps, just needed to know how they are supposed to be used I guess.  But how can no one else notice this happening?  Are  there instructions about the credit card space needed, or is this another manual argument im starting lol?
 
Mine have little marks all up and down that part from cranking them down tight.

They might stick a little, but using them will wear those ridges off.  Or, you could do as I do and hit the hangers with a metal file.

I think I sanded the tops right off mine the first time I used them, one might be most of the way through the plastic.

 
Phew, I'm not crazy. But these are still good clamps, I just didn't know I had to be so careful with them.  This is good info for people just buying them and  want to keep from putting nicks in the rod.  Thanks fellas
 
For those who might check this thread, it is possible to adjust the final clamping pressure.  There is a hex screw that will increase or decrease the final pressure.  Seek and ye shall find.

Peter
 
WarnerConstCo. said:
They might stick a little, but using them will wear those ridges off.  Or, you could do as I do and hit the hangers with a metal file.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I did. The nicks and burrs from my first uses of the clamps caused them to hang up when sliding. But after knocking the burrs off they slide easily again, and the nicks that accumulate thereafter are much smaller and don't cause binding.

I was also dismayed that they did work perfectly out of the box but after having tuned them up with the file I wouldn't want to be without them. They save a lot of time.
 
"Well you see, there IS a bit of a learning curve with Festool clamps"

Couldn't resist.

Just got some used this week, good to know this before I get a table I can use them on.
 
fritter63 said:
"Well you see, there IS a bit of a learning curve with Festool clamps"

Couldn't resist.

Just got some used this week, good to know this before I get a table I can use them on.
Click to expand...

You'll want the Festool Clamp Supplemental Manual.
 
Ken Nagrod said:
fritter63 said:
"Well you see, there IS a bit of a learning curve with Festool clamps"

Couldn't resist.

Just got some used this week, good to know this before I get a table I can use them on.
Click to expand...

You'll want the Festool Clamp Supplemental Manual.
Click to expand...

Thats the one written in invisible ink...you'll need the Festool glasses from JLC Connect to read it!

Bob
 
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