Mini review of the squeezer clamp set on sale at Lee Valley

[Frank Pellow]

Until October the 26th, Lee Valley has a set of four "squeezer" clamps on sale for $85 (Canadian).  Two are 450 milimetres long and two are 600 milimetres long. (that is close to 18 inches and 24 inches)

Here is link to the sale page:   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=61023&cat=51&ap=1

I picked up a set early this morning and have used then already for glue up.  Here are some comments:

• They are no-name clamps made in Taiwan.
• The quality seems to be OK, not great but OK.  The aluminum is cast aluminum which I found in the past not to be as durable as extruded aliminum.
  
• I like the ability to be able to dial-in the pressure.
• When clamping using the maximum pressure, they can be hard to open. It would be better if they had an opening lever similar to those on vise grips -but they do not.  But, I have a lot of strength in my hands, so I can cope with this.
  
• I measuered with a set of calipers the maximum distance that a clamp can move when it is tightened and that distance is only 8.7 milimetres (or about 1/3 of a inch). I would prefer twice that distance, but it will be sufficient for most of the tasks in which I want to employ these clamps.
  
• I might even purchase a pair of the 6 inch clamps

 

[Neill]

Frank,

I am somewhat bewildered by your last remark about buying more of these clamps when nearly everything you had to say about these was negative.

Neill

 

[Frank Pellow]

Frank,

I am somewhat bewildered by your last remark about buying more of these clamps when nearly everything you had to say about these was negative.

Neill

Neil, I did not think that I was being negative.  I intended to be somewhat neutral, warning people of the problems, yet saying that I will keep them and use the clamps because I can live with those problems.  Others might not want to.

 

[Neill]

Frank,

I am somewhat bewildered by your last remark about buying more of these clamps when nearly everything you had to say about these was negative.

Neill

Neil, I did not think that I was being negative.  I intended to be somewhat neutral, warning people of the problems, yet saying that I will keep them and use the clamps because I can live with those problems.  Others might not want to.

Frank,

Thanks for the clarification.  Like many other woodworkers, I am always looking for more clamps.  Based upon your independent evaluation, I don't think I will be buying any of these.

Your comments were great.

Neill