Author Topic: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?  (Read 1320 times)

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Offline Bill Houghton

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Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« on: May 17, 2019, 01:47:27 PM »
I'm reorganizing* my clamp storage, and it's leading me to question the usefulness of some of the clamps I own, in particular the three eight-inch C-clamps. They're presently hanging behind the six or so six-inch clamps, but I've run out of room on that particular square-tubing clamp hanger for the two five-inch clamps I'd like to hang there.

I use C-clamps up to four inches pretty regularly, and there are a few applications in which the five- and six-inch clamps are best/necessary. But, beyond that, I tend to use F-clamps (sliding-head bar clamps, in case you live somewhere that this term is not in common use); they're faster to adjust, and do just fine for my work.

I'm doing mostly wooddorking, with light metal fabrication occasionally.

So I'm wondering: are there applications for which an eight-inch clamp is the Only Right Tool, and, if so, should I be holding on to these in case that comes up?

I know it's a violation of The Code  :grin: to get rid of clamps once acquired; but my shop is small, and I can't devote more than one stud bay to C-, F-, and related clamps.

Advice sought.
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*I had something of a system built on the clamp count I had when I did it, which system was rapidly overwhelmed by later clamp finds. I'm now attempting to incorporate all the clamps, with maybe some room in case I find other clamps I just absolutely must have.

Offline Northwoods

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Re: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2019, 02:18:09 PM »
If in doubt, give them to a friend who might find them useful.
You can always borrow them!  ;-) 
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Offline leg17

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Re: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2019, 04:16:33 PM »

It's a violation of The Code

Offline Papaw

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Re: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2019, 04:32:34 PM »

It's a violation of The Code

I LIKE that !
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Online lptools

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Re: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2019, 05:58:07 PM »
I'm with Bill on this one. Disclaimer;  You have too many clamps if you have run out of storage space!!!
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Offline Plyerman

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Re: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2019, 06:20:26 PM »
Keep them. Even if you never use them to clamp something 8" long, sooner or later you will need them for the deeper "reach" they have over the smaller clamps.
My friends call me Bob. My wife calls me a lot worse.

Offline Bill Houghton

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Re: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2019, 07:47:07 PM »
Well, I'm holding on to them for the moment.  But I reserve the right to move them along if I find any 5" or 6" examples of my favorite C-clamp (Jorgensen Style 1, with the wing handles - left clamp in the photo).

Offline p_toad

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Re: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2019, 07:49:33 PM »
Remember - when you get rid of it; that's when you'll need it.   :tongue:

Offline Yadda

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Re: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2019, 07:52:57 PM »
Remember - when you get rid of it; that's when you'll need it.   :tongue:

Every single time!
You might say I have a tool collecting problem....

Offline leg17

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Re: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2019, 07:59:18 PM »
Remember - when you get rid of it; that's when you'll need it.

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Offline papadan

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Re: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« Reply #10 on: May 19, 2019, 07:04:33 PM »
You said your clamp hanger is a piece of tubing.... stick a piece of dowel rod in the tubing and hang the 5s on it! ;-)
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Offline Plyerman

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Re: Usefulness - or not - of eight-inch C-clamps?
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2019, 07:18:51 PM »
You said your clamp hanger is a piece of tubing.... stick a piece of dowel rod in the tubing and hang the 5s on it! ;-)

Great idea! And then someday when the dowel rod gets full, you can put another piece of tubing on that...  :D
My friends call me Bob. My wife calls me a lot worse.