Cheap clamps in Australia???
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3 December 2014 at 11:45 am #121764
Hi guys,
I’ve managed to assemble enough tools to have a go at the workbench ( I think) except for clamps. Paul seems to use 8 or more for the bench tops and the cheap aluminium jobs he uses dont seem to be available here. The local mob, Carbatec sell a 36″ Rockler for $67 AUD which gets kind of pricey when multiplied.
The big chain hardware store sell dodgy looking made in India steel sash clamps.
There’s pipe clamp heads available at $20-35 and also clamp heads that you bolt onto lengths of hardwood at around the same price.
The quick grip Irwin type stuff is expensive at $67 and up.
I’m wondering a) what length do I really need for the bench top and most of the masterclass projects? And b) how strong a clamping system do I really need? Sash, t-bar, pipe, quick grip?
I wrote to an experienced Aussie woodworker and he suggested making my own with lengths of pine and wedges but I’m not sure I’d be able to manage gluing up a bench top with a makeshift arrangement given my lack of experience.
There is a seller on Aussie EBay selling BBT aluminium bar clamps not too expensively?
Any ideas anyone? Any Aussie members with any sources?
Thanks guys.Hi,
This is just my 2 cents…
1 – ratchet straps – go to the last picture https://woodworkingmasterclasses.com/discussions/topic/bench-storage-chest/page/2/
2 – “spanish torniquet”Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.5 December 2014 at 2:55 am #121841Hey Andrew! Fellow Aussie woodworker here.
Down under, your options are F-Clamps, or make your own. Bunnings Craftright clamps (orange and black), in sizes from 150-300mm are about $10 each. They work very well. For larger sizes, Supercheap Auto sells it’s own SCA branded F-Clamps, in sizes up to 1000mm, priced up to around $15. I bought a whole bunch at 25% off, got 4 for $50 at the time I believe.
Don’t be fooled into thinking clamps need to be expensive. The cheap ones clamp just as strongly, and are a lot lighter. Cheap F-Clamps will work for you all day long.
Another option is Pipe Clamps, but quite honestly they seem like more trouble than they’re worth.
5 December 2014 at 9:17 am #121843Thanks for the reply and thanks also to Frank and Salko for getting in touch to lend a helping hand.
After much searching, I managed to find theseDown at the bottom of the page. Not sure if they’re the same ones as Paul uses but they look similar. Postage seems to be a flat rate $18.50
Andrew
5 December 2014 at 9:44 am #121844Gday,you could also try Masters or Sydney Tools. Both sellBessey at fairly good pricing(well good forAustralia)
Jules5 December 2014 at 11:34 am #121851The cheapest alumumium clamps is that website link you provided, I will be getting some myself. The second cheapest is from thebestthings.com I suggested on a group buy on the woodwork forum but they deleted my link because it interferes with the forum sponsors. One tip for you which is the most cheapest of all and that is to make your clamps I may even go down that road. There is plenty of how to builds on youtube they work just as well as any bought clamps. If you like you can get from Carba tec 1 1/2″ wood thread box there on sale now as a christmas special for $72 or just go to bunnings or masters and get yourself threaded rods and cut them to length.
Hope this helps
6 December 2014 at 5:59 am #121885Those Aluminum Bar clamps are definitely the way to go if you can get them. F-Clamps are handy, but the clamping depth becomes a hindrance instead of an advantage, over wider lengths. I’d get some myself, if I didn’t need to save my shop budget for a new cordless drill, after the old one finally gave up the ghost.
That said, my advice regarding F-Clamps stands, especially for short clamps (30cm or less). Don’t get suckered into paying more than $10 or so per clamp.
6 December 2014 at 12:13 pm #121890I too can’t say anything bad about craft clamps or cramps as people like to call them out of the cheapies range they are pretty bloody good, I have a few of them in F style and I also have bessey clamps in f style as well which are larger. The difference between them that they are obviously better constructed but in the end they function the same. Neither of them lock up which is why the better versions are more desirable but craft seems to have done their job so up to you in the end.
6 December 2014 at 12:15 pm #121891Here’s a little something that I have been to wanting to know for quite some time now and thanks to this video I hope you guys can gain some benefit from it as well. Double click on it to get full view.
7 December 2014 at 4:28 am #121921Lol Salko. Great minds must think alike. I had posted a link to this video as well. There are several great bits of information to be found in it. I hope everyone takes a look at it.
15 December 2014 at 12:44 pm #122181I am a bit late into this discussion, and I too hunted high and low for some good, low-priced clamps. I found a supplier who specialises in supplying schools, and they had a reasonable range. I bought half a dozen 800 mm aluminium bar clamps that look a lot like the ones Paul uses. I did the retrofit Paul suggests in his blog and have been very happy with the results.
I have had them for about six weeks now and find myself using them several times a week. I also have four 1400 mm pipe clamps, and often use both types on the same job.
I won’t name the store, but if you did a search for tools and schools, you would find it! Based in Victoria, but great website order service.15 December 2014 at 1:32 pm #122186I’m not sure why wouldn’t post the website but for all concerned I will http://www.toolsforschools.com.au/productdetail/0/559/aluminium-bar-clamps-light-duty/
I do appreciate you letting us know.
15 December 2014 at 1:52 pm #122188Having compared the prices tools for schools are alot more expensive in respects to clamps, Elraco are cheaper by $6.00. Their prices are GST inclsuive while tools for schools are not.
Prices
Prices shown on this website include GST (10%).It always pay to do some research.
31 December 2014 at 1:48 pm #122867I haven’t yet but I do plan too at the same time I did buy from the thread box 3/4″ and 1/2″ as I planned to my own clamps. It’s almost new year and it’s pouring rain here.
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