One thing he forgot to tell everyone, and maybe didn't know, they have a lifetime warranty, free. I've used them for years, if they lose their grip strength, return them and get a free one, no questions asked. I've returned a few, they give you credit for the old and you walk out with a new one, doesn't matter the size. I told a guy that while grabbing a couple who didn't know that. He said he just threw the old ones away. Now he knows.
@@mikerobertson7311 HF has a lifetime warranty on most of their tools. Including some of the more expensive ones. It is half the reason I go there. The other half being you can never have enough clamps....
My experience with the HF clamps is try them in the store because the quality is very inconsistent. Some don't get much pressure in the store, but they usually have enough in stock to get good ones. I have about ten of them, multiple sizes. I use them almost every weekend and I've done well with them except for the 4 inch, they seem to lose some strength after a few uses.
I watched a video about these clamps around three years ago and decided to try one. I have about six of those Irwin clamps like you do and in my opinion they are junk and going into the garbage can. Like I said, I bought one of those Harbor Freight clamps and the very first time I used it I was pretty impressed. I now 8 of them in each size made. The only problem I have had with them is that the rubber or silicone stuff that the pads are made of, leave marks on the wood that is being clamped. I don't know what is in them, but every piece of wood I have ever clamped with them, there is a mark that matches the same pattern of the clamp pad on the wood. It sands out alright, but it is kind of a nuisance to have to do that every time. On most stuff it doesn't matter, but on things that are furniture grade projects I just hate to have to sand those marks out of every piece of wood that was clamped with these clamps. Aside from that, I am still impressed with them and for the price, I don't see how you could go wrong. They are also guaranteed for life. I have had a couple of times now that something has went wrong with them and took them back to the Harbor Freight store and no questions asked, they just tell me to grab a new one and that's it. I have a total of 32 of them I have had for three years now and use them almost daily and have only had two of them go bad on me in three years.
I have a number of Harbor Freight clamps in a few sizes/lengths (black with grey trim). They're a good bang for the buck. They're not quite as user-friendly as Irwin clamps. But, they're not as expensive, either. And the Worx clamps that accompany the Worx Pegasus folding work table or Worx sawhorses are also user-friendly and compete well with the Irwin.
Thank you for doing this video. I have those orange pure garbage junky old Harbor Freight clamps and have cursed them the few times I used them. They are now where they belong in the garbage can. I was going to suck it up and go buy four Irwin clamps. Saw your video took two pieces of wood with me to the store and clamped them together and what a difference clamped as good as my larger Irwin clamps. Thanks for doing this I got four 12 inch ones for less than $20.00 .
Thanks for this review yes the orange ones are junk. I was on my way to get some Irwins then saw your video. I bought 4 12" gray ones at Harbor Freight they are a major major improvement over the junky weak orange ones $2.99 each you really can't go wrong. Thanks
Watch out, because the light grey pads on the HF jaws leave a "footprint" on the wood - I suspect it's some chemical in the plastic from which it's made. Usually, you can just sand the footprint away.
I agree Christopher, it does leave a footprint that I just sand away. I would not use these clamps on any finished sanded work. I was going to try adding some packing tape to the pad to see if that would prevent the footprint.
If you want to prevent the "footprint", then have you tried using a scrap piece to spread the clamping force out or to act as a sacrificial piece to absorb the "footprint" impression and prevent an imprint on the actual project?
One thing he forgot to tell everyone, and maybe didn't know, they have a lifetime warranty, free. I've used them for years, if they lose their grip strength, return them and get a free one, no questions asked. I've returned a few, they give you credit for the old and you walk out with a new one, doesn't matter the size. I told a guy that while grabbing a couple who didn't know that. He said he just threw the old ones away. Now he knows.
You are correct Tim, I did not know that. Thank you for sharing, I am glad I did not throw out the old ones.
Your saying the HF has a life time warranty on their clamps???
Does Irwin or Harbor Freight have the warranty? Thanks for the info!
@@mikerobertson7311 HF has a lifetime warranty on most of their tools. Including some of the more expensive ones. It is half the reason I go there.
The other half being you can never have enough clamps....
If your cheap F clamp doesn't hold, you can always file in-between each notch so it'll catch easier.
That is a good idea War Pigs.
My experience with the HF clamps is try them in the store because the quality is very inconsistent. Some don't get much pressure in the store, but they usually have enough in stock to get good ones. I have about ten of them, multiple sizes. I use them almost every weekend and I've done well with them except for the 4 inch, they seem to lose some strength after a few uses.
That is a Great tip Tigger, I know Harbor Freight quality control is not the best, but they seem to be getting better. Thanks for watching.
I watched a video about these clamps around three years ago and decided to try one. I have about six of those Irwin clamps like you do and in my opinion they are junk and going into the garbage can. Like I said, I bought one of those Harbor Freight clamps and the very first time I used it I was pretty impressed. I now 8 of them in each size made. The only problem I have had with them is that the rubber or silicone stuff that the pads are made of, leave marks on the wood that is being clamped. I don't know what is in them, but every piece of wood I have ever clamped with them, there is a mark that matches the same pattern of the clamp pad on the wood. It sands out alright, but it is kind of a nuisance to have to do that every time. On most stuff it doesn't matter, but on things that are furniture grade projects I just hate to have to sand those marks out of every piece of wood that was clamped with these clamps. Aside from that, I am still impressed with them and for the price, I don't see how you could go wrong. They are also guaranteed for life. I have had a couple of times now that something has went wrong with them and took them back to the Harbor Freight store and no questions asked, they just tell me to grab a new one and that's it. I have a total of 32 of them I have had for three years now and use them almost daily and have only had two of them go bad on me in three years.
I agree Jim, they are very solid clamps, with just that one problem of leaving a mark on things. Other than that, they work great.
I have a number of Harbor Freight clamps in a few sizes/lengths (black with grey trim). They're a good bang for the buck.
They're not quite as user-friendly as Irwin clamps. But, they're not as expensive, either.
And the Worx clamps that accompany the Worx Pegasus folding work table or Worx sawhorses are also user-friendly and compete well with the Irwin.
They are definitely a great buy. Thanks for watching.
I wish I'd bought the worx table instead of the Keating one. Worx products are underated, their screwdriver SD 255L is a solid product
Thank you for doing this video. I have those orange pure garbage junky old Harbor Freight clamps and have cursed them the few times I used them. They are now where they belong in the garbage can. I was going to suck it up and go buy four Irwin clamps. Saw your video took two pieces of wood with me to the store and clamped them together and what a difference clamped as good as my larger Irwin clamps. Thanks for doing this I got four 12 inch ones for less than $20.00 .
I am glad it helped RCboals
Thanks for this review yes the orange ones are junk. I was on my way to get some Irwins then saw your video. I bought 4 12" gray ones at Harbor Freight they are a major major improvement over the junky weak orange ones $2.99 each you really can't go wrong. Thanks
They are a good deal.
Watch out, because the light grey pads on the HF jaws leave a "footprint" on the wood - I suspect it's some chemical in the plastic from which it's made. Usually, you can just sand the footprint away.
I agree Christopher, it does leave a footprint that I just sand away. I would not use these clamps on any finished sanded work. I was going to try adding some packing tape to the pad to see if that would prevent the footprint.
If you want to prevent the "footprint", then have you tried using a scrap piece to spread the clamping force out or to act as a sacrificial piece to absorb the "footprint" impression and prevent an imprint on the actual project?
Sold!!!
Yes, I did end up buying more of them. Although, I am not really sure I needed more clamps.
Thanks!
You bet! Thanks for watching.
2:43 He can’t believe it lol
It was impressive. Thanks for watching Alberto.