Woodpecker clamping cauls

[John Stevens]

http://www.woodpeck.com/ottclampingcauls.html

Sorry if there's already a thread started on this product--I searched and couldn't find one.  Why not?

I have one question--is it true that the phenolic material doesn't warp?  I've read several threads on various woodworking chat forums where people have complained that their phenolic router table tops aren't flat.

Regards,

John

 

[PeterK]

I have and use the Bowclamp cauls. They are at least 2 maybe 3 times wider than the Woodpecker version. Would think that the narrow cauls would be tippy when trying to clamp them. The Bowclamps have slots in them to trap a F type clamp head again making it easier to hold and stabilize while adjusting the clamps. Think I will pass on these even though I like most of Woodpeckers products.

 

[mouppe]

+1 for bowclamps. When you need them they are indispensable.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Interesting point and observation.  I didn't even think about the thickness of the phenolic they're using.  Yes, there ARE different qualities of phenolic and you can get sag out of them.  If you buy double of each set or size and double them up during clamping, that will give you the thickness and them, extra money.  Sounds like a win-win to me!  [blink]

 

[PaulMarcel]

+10 for BowClamps (how many I have).  The wider clamp would be easier to get on a project and would distribute the clamping pressure across more surface; less chance of leaving a clamp mark.

 

[joraft]

I've always thought that these inserts for the Bowclamps (designed and made by RonWen) were pretty ingenious:

 

[Michael Kellough]

Woodpecker usually makes tools that are better than the competition. They fell short here.

They'd have to literally copy the Bowclamps in every detail while using the phenolic material to make them any better but that would be wrong (copying a product in current production) and the resulting cauls would be heavy and expensive. The improvement would be miniscule.

 

[PeterK]

Had never noticed those clamp add-ons from Ron. Does he still sell them and how much?

 

[Alan m]

this is the first time i have seenthem as well. any more info

 

[joraft]

this is the first time i have seenthem as well. any more info

I think those were prototypes he made a few years ago. I'm not sure if he ever went into production on them, but I do think they could be a popular item.

Maybe Ron will weigh in on this.

 

[andvari]

Interesting point and observation.  I didn't even think about the thickness of the phenolic they're using.  Yes, there ARE different qualities of phenolic and you can get sag out of them.  If you buy double of each set or size and double them up during clamping, that will give you the thickness and them, extra money.  Sounds like a win-win to me!  [blink]

Like everything else the devil is in the details. It's like saying I have a knife made out of steel. It might be a national treasure or it could be junk.

This it the downside of the one-time tools. I'd be interested if I knew it was first quality, but with this being a new type of material for this design and no reviews available it's a gamble.

 

[monte]

this is the first time i have seenthem as well. any more info

I think those were prototypes he made a few years ago. I'm not sure if he ever went into production on them, but I do think they could be a popular item.

Maybe Ron will weigh in on this.

Hey Ron!

Hmmm, my first time seeing your nifty additions to the bowclamps as well.
Are you planning on selling them any time soon?, if they are out of prototype stage. (hint, hint)
Put me down for a couple of sets!
Make that four sets.

cheers,
roger

ps. what size "all thread" are you using?

 

[jtwood]

My only problem with the Bowclamps (I have 8 of them) is that I dropped on on my concrete garage floor, on end, and it split off a piece about 6" long.  That shouldn't happen with the phenolic, but the Woodpecker's phenolic cauls appear, as others have said, to be too thin to be really practical.

The Bowclamp was glued and clamped, and it works just fine.  I think I'll stick with them.  I do have several Woodpeckers products which I like, just don't see the advantage in these.

Steve

 

[doc4som]

JORAFT: what size screw (diameter) is that ?  Thanks in advance.

 

[joraft]

JORAFT: what size screw (diameter) is that ?  Thanks in advance.

The photos are from a thread on talkFestool from over 2 1/2 years ago, more info there:

Bowclamp Inserts

 

[John Stevens]

Wow, that's how you know your product isn't well received--it's the subject of a thread, and then the thread drifts to a discussion of the competitor's product, and yours becomes irrelevant.

FWIW, I'm surprised they didn't drill the holes wide enough to seat your f-clamps in them.

Regards,

John

 

[RONWEN]

I am a Woodpecker fan & usually buy their new products.  With that I'm afraid with their cauls you would pay more for less compared with BowClamps.  Craig is very particular choosing his lumber for his product so I can't see them warping being an issue.  I wouldn't want to speck for Craig but he stands 100% behind his products & so would probably make good on any such issues.  +20 for BowClamps for me.

Looking down through this thread (you miss a lot when you can't read  [embarassed])  those pictures looked more & more familiar... OH, YEAH, now I remember.  [big grin]
I intend to discuss with Craig my producing the adapters for use with his BowClamps, they are quite handy and just require pieces of all-thread rod to complete the system.  As I recall I used 3/4" all-thread which was way over kill but I got a close out price somewhere.  Probably something like 3/8" or 1/2" would be more than adequate to get full clamping force & pressure of the BowClamps.

 

[Zacharytanner]

Ron,
I would love to buy some inserts for my bowclamps
NUDGE NUDGE.................

Frank

PS
LOVE my Domiplate

 

[RONWEN]

Ron,
I would love to buy some inserts for my bowclamps
NUDGE NUDGE.................

Frank

PS
LOVE my Domiplate

I believe that you LOVE your offspring & wife and perhaps REALLY LIKE you Domiplate...  [big grin]

 

[rmwarren]

Ron,
I would love to buy some inserts for my bowclamps
NUDGE NUDGE.................

Frank

PS
LOVE my Domiplate

I believe that you LOVE your offspring & wife and perhaps REALLY LIKE you Domiplate...  [big grin]

Now you are just splitting hairs...  [poke]