Bosch/Mafell rail clamps and Chinese knockoffs

[Michael Kellough]

My Bosch rail clamps went missing for a few weeks. I called the one business where I’m sure I used them and no dice. So they’re in my shop somewhere but after 40+years of accumulation the odds finding them are low. I spent a few hours looking for them anyway and again, no dice.

So I went shopping online. A new pair cost around $75. I really didn’t want to spend that much on something I already had so I broadened the search and found knockoffs at Bangood. A pair there cost $40. And shipping was also about half what Acme charges. The only drawback is that it would take another 2 weeks or so for them to arrive.

Naturally, a couple of days before the cheap ones arrived I found the originals. Photos below but the executive summary is that the Bosch and Chinese versions both work equally well.

Both versions are flawed in that the part that fits the rail slot is not posted square to the clamp bar in both axis. From the side the “foot” is square but from the end the sole of the “shoe” is cocked. Because the sole is so narrow (~12mm ?) the length and weight of the bar and clamp head exerts a lot of leverage effectively jamming the foot/sole/shoe in the track. That makes it hard to slide the clamp in the rail (lube would help a lot it might get on wood). I found that the clamps are a lot easier to move along when I lift the clamp by it’s foot, disengaging the leverage gravity adds to the situation.

Coincidentally, in both pairs one copy was significantly worse than the other to about the same degree.



The Chinese version’s minimum thickness is about twice as much as the Bosch version but setting a shim under the pad is easy enough.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Sorry, I don’t know how to properly order the photos or make them less obtrusive.

 

[onocoffee]

For clamps, I've mainly got Festool, Bessey and MicroJig, but yesterday I was at a guy's workshop and he had ratchet clamps from Temu - though they looked like the ones from Banggood. They are super solid and feel as good as the Festool, MicroJig or Ehoma versions I've seen.

Perhaps we should not be surprised. After all, can it really be a "knockoff" when they're the people making the "originals"?

 

[luvmytoolz]

For clamps, I've mainly got Festool, Bessey and MicroJig, but yesterday I was at a guy's workshop and he had ratchet clamps from Temu - though they looked like the ones from Banggood. They are super solid and feel as good as the Festool, MicroJig or Ehoma versions I've seen.

I've bought a few sets of the ratchet ones from Banggood, they're really well made and fantastic value. Aside from using with guide rails, I also use them for laminating blocks which requires quite a bit of pressure applied, and they've been holding up just fine to the abuse.

 

[Packard]

From the American manufacturer’s, or the O.E.M.’s point of view, the problem with the Chinese (or Vietnamese,, or the Indian, etc.) knockoffs, is not that they produce junk. The problem is that much of it is pretty good.

In th 1960s, tools imported from India looked great (they were exceptionally skilled at applying chrome plating). From American manufacturers’ point of view, the one saving grace was that the castings frequently cracked resulting in catastrophic failures. After a short time those products were no longer considered a threat.

As long as the imports maintain their quality, they will remain a competitive threat.

Has anyone noticed the improved quality of Harbor Freight’s latest offerings?

 

[onocoffee]

Has anyone noticed the improved quality of Harbor Freight’s latest offerings?

I'm continually impressed by the improving quality of Harbor Freight. I've got two of their 20v Hercules Trim Routers. They're as good in many ways and superior to my Makita R0701 trim router. The Doyle 12" Rafters Square is as square as square will be and an excellent value. Their Braun rechargeable lights have also been excellent. And their Icon line is great quality - especially for the woodworker whose not making a living off of that line of tools. Then their Braun line seems really to be trending towards woodworking. And when you put the Bremen parallel clamps next to its Bessy and Jorgensen counterparts, you can see the difference, they are still tremendous value - especially when on sale. I got a few of the 48" clamps last year when they were on sale for $25 each.

 

[Packard]

I'm continually impressed by the improving quality of Harbor Freight. I've got two of their 20v Hercules Trim Routers. They're as good in many ways and superior to my Makita R0701 trim router. The Doyle 12" Rafters Square is as square as square will be and an excellent value. Their Braun rechargeable lights have also been excellent. And their Icon line is great quality - especially for the woodworker whose not making a living off of that line of tools. Then their Braun line seems really to be trending towards woodworking. And when you put the Bremen parallel clamps next to its Bessy and Jorgensen counterparts, you can see the difference, they are still tremendous value - especially when on sale. I got a few of the 48" clamps last year when they were on sale for $25 each.

I have not checked their clamps lately, but the older ones are only suitable for light duty as the shaft will flex if too much pressure. I do like the fact that replacement rubber covers are always in stock at my local store.

I think that those of us that have a local store to browse through regularly will notice the overall improved look of their tools. I think they are making an effort to to move upscale since the announcement of pending tariffs. They will be hit hard on the tariff issue.

For a very long time I only used H-F for acid brush/glue brushes and disposable gloves. Lately, I have considered other products. Their products are rarely included in magazine comparison tests however.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I did observe one real advantage of the Bosch clamps, the closed loop around the grip provides an easy way to hang/store the clamps on a peg.