Options for the Festool 488030 Clamping elements?

[PeterK]

I have a pair of these clamps and use them frequently to hold boards for sanding on my MFT/3 as the round metal dogs cause dents and marks in boards. Went to order a set (mine are from MANY years ago) and was shocked at the pricing - $125 a pair!
Anyone else make something similar?
Is there some other type clamping system that works quickly and is not in the way when sanding?
Thanks for any brilliant ideas!!
Pete

 

[dltflt]

Here is one from Rockler, there is also another company that make a very similar clamp but I can't remember the name right now.
Edited to add second link
Here is one from Armor

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I have seen a few DIY using Quick-Grip clamps.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Yeah, the Festool ones are crazy expensive considering what they’re made from. I do use mine a lot though.
That one from Rockler looks very good.

 

[Bohdan]

These are distributed by the same people that handle Festool in Australia.

 

[Peter_C]

Another option in the 20mm hole pattern is below. If they are 3/4" hole pattern they won't work very well.http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=64685&cat=1,43837,43838,43847&ap=1

A non clamping option that works pretty well for many projects.http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/i-did-it-all-for-the-cookies!/msg548142/#msg548142

 

[travisj]

These are distributed by the same people that handle Festool in Australia.

That would work out to about 75USD.  40% less than Festool.  Would have to see them in person, but they look the same.  Not sure if Walko is available here in the US or not.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[travisj]

I just looked.  The Walkos are available from a place in New York for $99/set.

I also found this thread that explains the difference between the Walkos and the Festool
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...en-mft-clamping-elements-versus-walko-clamps/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pixelated]

Having just gone through spending a fair bit of money to do a DIY work-holding/supporting solution that is still a work in progress, some of these don't seem like that good of a deal compared to the clamping elements. For example, the non-sale price of the Rockler system clamps is 30 USD each, and 30 for the stop kit, for a total of 90 USD and they still need some adaptation to fit 20mm dog holes if that's a goal for using them. Compared to that, 125 for a set of clamps you just take out of the package and use seems not too bad.

I have a clamping element set that I first used with my DeWalt table, and more recently with an MFT, they work extremely well. Some of these others look very useful too, but might be better suited to situations where clamping elements might not work well, than as a direct replacement.

 

[TheSergeant]

Yes, the price has gotten very high.  I have 2 or 3 pairs but won't be buying them anymore.  Also,  with time the bar becomes horribly gouged from the locking mechanism digging into it.  You have to file them to keep them from snagging through the travel.  The work pieces also have a tendency to lift slightly.

I have a few of the Rockler units.  They're made by Armor for Rockler and they work very well.  The only bummer is that they're not as low profile as the Festool units.  If it's a problem just put a spacing in between out of thinner wood.  I made some custom dogs and modified my Rockler units so that they screw in to a dog. 

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Here is one from Rockler, there is also another company that make a very similar clamp but I can't remember the name right now.
Edited to add second link
Here is one from Armor

FYI - I was at Rockler this morning and the Rockler clamp was marked down to $20 each. I picked up a couple of the Armor STC-HH70's for $52 less $20 off $50 in store coupon.