Sash cramps needed...

[Simpo Two]

I'm looking to beef up the cramps department of my workshop with some 600mm and 1200mm sash cramps.

A visit to Screwfix showed me that the Magnusson range aren't nice enough, and they didn't have Irwin ones in stock for comparison. The internet has others but it's hard to tell what they're like just from pictures.

They won't be needed very often so I'm not after mega-posh ones, but decent quality ones that are nice to handle and with end bits that stay square under load. Suggestions invited!

[GasEngineer]

What was the issue with the magnusson cramps OP?

[wolfracesonic]

Is it the jaws that you want stay parallel? If so, it’s parallel jaw clamps you need, funnily enough. Bessey K body clamps are pretty much the gold standard, though you can get cheaper brands.

[Promised Land]

I’ve got a few of these in varying sizes, clamps should never be over tightened all you are looking to do is just nip the joint up until the glue has set or you’ve fixed it.

You could splash out on those Bessey ones and I’ve been tempted before but these sash clamps have served me well.

2X 48" Inch Aluminium Quick... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08H28Z5H4?ref=ppx_pop...

Always use scrap timber bearers though in the jaws.

Edited by Promised Land on Friday 28th February 15:40

[Simpo Two]

GasEngineer said:

What was the issue with the magnusson cramps OP?

The 'end bit' seemed like it would angle under load - so it would put all the pressure on one side of the work.

wolfracesonic said:

Is it the jaws that you want stay parallel? If so, it’s parallel jaw clamps you need, funnily enough. Bessey K body clamps are pretty much the gold standard, though you can get cheaper brands.

Parallel should be standard IMHO - but those ones are too much £££ for the use they'd get.

Promised Land said:

I’ve got a few of these in varying sizes, clamps should never be over tightened all you are looking to do is just nip the joint up until the glue has set or you’ve fixed it

I was trying to avoid the spring loaded ones as being a bit mickey mouse but the Amazon one you linked to looks like it might be OK. I also found these on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BT4WW2HW?th=1 - how do they look to you? I don't see 600mm ones in that style though.

[OutInTheShed]

I've got some of the cast cramp heads that pin on to the edge of a 1 inch board. They are useful.
More useful if you have plenty of 1 inch boards you don't mind drilling holes in I suppose.

This sort, which can be screwed down to the bench (or floor!) are sometimes ideal.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256512632824

I've got two flimsy ali ones which I've overtightened at some point.

Sometimes the best thing is a manky old bench you don't mind screwing blocks to, then make some wedges.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks; the job that's spurred this purchase is the top of a coffee table - the edge mouldings fell off during storage in the loft.

On reflection whilst I thought that the type with a peg were better than the spring-loaded ones, now I'm not so sure. I also realised that whilst there are many different brands and colours, they're mostly exactly the same thing. So to start with I've ordered a couple of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N97Z1DH/ If they're too wonky I can return them, if they're good I'll add longer ones in due course.

[Promised Land]

Simpo Two said:

Thanks; the job that's spurred this purchase is the top of a coffee table - the edge mouldings fell off during storage in the loft.

On reflection whilst I thought that the type with a peg were better than the spring-loaded ones, now I'm not so sure. I also realised that whilst there are many different brands and colours, they're mostly exactly the same thing. So to start with I've ordered a couple of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N97Z1DH/ If they're too wonky I can return them, if they're good I'll add longer ones in due course.

They should do the job, you’re obviously not using them day in, day out so will do the job, a tenner a pop so you’ve not lost anything if you need to look elsewhere afterwards, but as I said above stick bearers either end of the 2 jaws, if they’re not spot on 90 degrees a small wedge inserted behind the bearer will pull it back.

Those cast ones are almost 20kg each, I would not want to be lumping those around all day and you have to slot a pin in the hole everything. Clamps now are made for quick use in tightening and release, those cast ones are like clamps from the 1950’s.