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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: thumbs on September 04, 2011, 11:13:27 am

Title: harbor freight clamps
Post by: thumbs on September 04, 2011, 11:13:27 am

okay , so I read the last posting by GB and everyone said they are garbage --I ordered some any way--they got here and the first time i went to use one the handle broke from too much pressure(?)--so I said to my self, self, fix the problem--the handle was put on a molder pin on the unit--I drilled out where the molded pin was and put a bolt through the unit and put a nut one it--tighten down the nut and works like a champ or maybe a clamp--I can now apply lost of pressure and it holds great--I wasn't going to let poor quality get the best of me--if anyone has any broken ones--try this--Richard aka thumbs ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: bigred7469 on September 04, 2011, 11:17:31 am

Thanks for the tip.

Red

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: dgman on September 04, 2011, 12:51:23 pm

It just seems to me that if you have to modify something just to make it work, are you really saving money?

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: thumbs on September 04, 2011, 01:35:13 pm

dgman -you maybe right--instead of $1.99 for the clamp it is now up to $2.09--so I'm quite happy spending 10 cents more to make it work better--If I had paid the full $8.99 for the clamp, I would have returned it.. Richard aka thumbs

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: yyyyyguy on September 04, 2011, 02:17:57 pm

Hummmmm, how many items do I have laying around the shop that tho bought at a bargain needed a little TLR "tender-loving-repair" before it worked as it was supposed to (I have similar clamps that I have put bolts in to repair)

Pete

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: Russ C on September 04, 2011, 02:52:40 pm

Thanks for the tip Richard. I have a couple of those clamps for light work. If they brake I will take your advice.  ;)

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: Chachi on September 04, 2011, 04:08:21 pm

I'm with you Richardwhy spend so much money on something that can be fixed for so little But I do have those and I have higher priced ones they both do the job I bought them for so if one Breaks I will do this if I can, why spend money if you don't have to.

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: geneVG on September 04, 2011, 08:08:32 pm

Can someone tell me what clamps you are talking about.

gene

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: thumbs on September 04, 2011, 10:03:55 pm

Gene. Harbor Freight had a sale on their 12 inch bar clamps- $1.99 each reg price $8.99--there was a lot of conversation about if they were any good or not--For 1.99 yes , for $8.99 not so good-- I don't know if they are still on sale, you could check their web site---Richard aka thumbs

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: geneVG on September 04, 2011, 11:39:54 pm

Thanks Richard for explaining what they were.

gene

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: Gabby on September 05, 2011, 01:40:22 am

Just be aware some of the grip handles are made of plastic and they break where the pin goes through at the pivot point no ten cent fix for that. Apparently the ones from HF don't have that problem. I think I got mine at my local lumber yard / building supply.
Gabby

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: edward on September 05, 2011, 09:26:14 am

 I have a few of there $1.99 clamps and don't really care for them, only get what you pay for.  Edward

Title: Re: harbor freight clamps
Post by: Paw Paw Ray on September 05, 2011, 09:56:04 am

I tried that a year ago and it workede maybe twice before it broke again.  Not worth the effort to me as.