Rockler Spring-Loaded, One-Handed Bar Clamps | Review
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Rockler Spring-Loaded One-Handed Bar Clamp
PURCHASE LINK:
www.rockler.co...
As a contractor and woodworker, you can never own enough clamps. New to the workshop clamping scene is the Rockler spring-loaded clamp. This clamp features a spring mechanism that closes the jaws with a squeeze of the trigger, leaving your other hand free to position parts - something that I have found to be helpful. Squeeze the release trigger quickly for instant closing or lightly pull the trigger for a slower closing action.
I’ve partnered with Rocker to give you guys an independent review on these clamps and have been using them for 3-4 weeks.
These Rockler clamps are made of a glass-reinforced nylon clamp body with a steel bar and steel spring cover. They feature black-colored, non-marring thermoplastic rubber clamp pads. The clamps come in two sizes with a clamping capacity between jaws of either 6-1/2'' or 10-1/2'' and a throat depth: 2-1/4”. The clamp pads measure 7/8'' x 1-1/2'' and have a clamping force of 150 lbs.
Rockler Spring Clamp | First Impression
The main feature of these clamps is that they claim to close fast - and, after having used them several times, I can tell you that they do. I was impressed with how fast the clamp closes; a simple squeeze of the release trigger and the spring mechanism closes the jaws fast which eliminates repetitive pumping of the clamp grip or the use of your other hand to close the jaw.
Once closed, a squeeze the larger four-finger trigger engages up to 150 lbs. in clamping force. To give you some perspective on how fast these clams close, it takes 26 pumps on the pistol grip to close the clamp, or less than a second to close it with the spring mechanism. This is extremely efficient and by far a very cool feature.
When initially closing this clamp the clamp pads slam closed quickly, and with some force. I wondered if this “slamming” of the clamp pads would be detrimental in clamping operations. Rockler says you can precisely feather the clamp closed, something we’ll discuss later in this review.
Opening the clamp is like other pistol grip clamps: you still need to engage the finger release trigger and pull the clamp open, making it a two-handed operation.
Using the Clamps | Easy, Fast, Efficient
The spring mechanism allowed me to close the clamp easily, fast, and efficiently while freeing one hand to position parts, a level, or other items. I found that pre-releasing [opening] all the clamps allow you to install multiple clamps one-handed. This was the best way to use the one-handed feature and allows you to jump right into a gluing or assembly process.
These clamps are faster, and easier to close than the pistol grip “pump” style clamps, I have.
Rockler advertises the two clamp sizes to have a 6-1/2” or 10-1/2” clamping capacity. We measured the clamping capacity on our clamps and got 6-3/4” and 10-7/8”.
One observation we had was that they take a short time to wear in and work smoothly. Early on when we started using them, I noticed that some of our clamps were stiff to open and close. The good news is that they loosened up after using them a bit. We found they worked well after this initial breaking-in period.
Rockler Spring Clamp | Feathering and Precision
The clamp closes fast and with some force. The force is enough to misalign small parts that you are holding with one hand. As a result, you need to feather the clamp closed. We tried feathering a few different clamps, 50+ times, and there is a learning curve, as it takes some practice to get it right.
The process is not really what I’d call feathering. I’d describe it as a “choppy” controlled close. After practicing with the clamp, I was able to slow the closure with three “feathering” presses, but it still is not what I would describe as a “smooth-feathering” closure.
When clamping a small part in place for gluing we noticed that fast closing of the clamp will “slam the parts” out of alignment. This is where that controlled closing is necessary.
Room For Improvement
The limiting size of these clamps is a bummer, after using both size clamps in the workshop and in the field at the job site, we determined that the 2-1/4” throat depth and 6-1/2” or 10-1/2” clamping capacity is somewhat limiting.
Additionally, I’d like to see Rockler improve on the soft closing of these clamps, if they can do that then there is no beating these clamps.
Cost
The 6'' Rockler Spring-Loaded One-Handed Bar Clamp, costs $19.00, and the 10'' Clamp is $22.99. Considering that I can get a 4 pack of pistol grip clamps for a similar price, the Rockler clamps are a bit on the pricier side.
Overall Impression
Overall, while not perfect, we liked the spring mechanism closing feature on these clamps. #Rockler #SponsoredReview
I have crippling arthritis so much I'm unable to use a hammer so to see these are a real breakthrough. I hope these are available in the UK. Massive long time fan of the channel thanks for sharing 👍
Hopefully you still working with tools or woodworking?
@@ConcordCarpenter luckily yes I've had to switch to only nail guns and impact drivers as I can't use any hand screwdrivers or anything that's handle motivated.
For the soft close, let the far side of the clamp touch the workpiece and then when you squeeze, you control how fast it closes by how fast you move your hand towards the workpiece.
My thoughts exactly. That’s how I would use these clamps for precision/delicate work.
@@bigbikerjohn64 Also...don't open so wide...pre-open just bigger than workpiece then boom! They will cost a fortune in NZ though! 😞
Surprised that CC didn't figure out this obvious technique.
Exactly what I was going to say
Maybe they should try a coiled flat spring instead of a coiled standard wire?
I don't understand the "it takes 26 pumps on a different brand". From all the way open to closed, and in that case nothing is in the clamp. Wouldn't you pre-size the opening on a clamp without this spring feature so that you don't have to pump so much? I'm curious too, can you have the stationary end of the clamp against your stock, pull the trigger and while it's still depressed, move the trigger side towards your stock? Now you would completely control how it closed. Other than that this is a very informative video.
👍
Neat idea. I think I'd like the spring loaded mechanism to be reversed so the clamp would just pop open.
I pretty much don't use the clamps i have in that style. Hate em...
I may give those a dabble.....
Great tool, these looked useful.
I saw these at Rockler and was worried I might smash a finger when I saw how fast they close shut. I didn't realize you could "feather" them with a lighter trigger squeeze. But doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose?
No because once they’re close you can crank down on the pistol grip and put 150 pounds of pressure on
🤑🍺👍🏻
I purchased these clamps recently and had a few comments. I keep them clamped to the shelf of the work bench. That way the hand that grabs the clamp can also open it because I just pull against the shelf when I pull it off. Second, while feathering may be tricky, perhaps it will work better for you if you release the spring tension with the other end of the clamp in position. Say you are clamping down on a table. Instead of letting it smack the bottom of the table, hold it above the table and use your arm to slowly bring the handle side down from above.
The only disappointment I have is that I can’t use it through a dog hole. That is scenario when the other clamp styles are always in full open position and need all the extra squeezing.
Great feedback, thanks!
I like the idea but do agree that the closing mechanism needs to close slower. Whether that is a modification to the design or a better user interface, I think that would be great. Also, a lip or ledge on the opening side of the clamp head would be good so the user could hook in on something to pull it open if they forgot to open it from the start.
Seems okay for hobbies. For pro work - Bessey clamps are one of the better choice. Though having a few of them is of some value.
Yes too many parts just means it's going to break.
Cool feature, but knowing the pain of pumping a quick clamp, I tend to preload within a few centimetres of the workload, hence only needing a few one-handed squeezes to get tight. Taking the clamp off is a one-handed job. $0.02 Nice video.
I do the same thing with my pistol grip clamps - makes sense.
That tends to be a PITA when working vertically
I think diversatile should be a word
My bad It is!!!
"26 pumps to close the clamp"
Am I missing something? I just trigger the release, slide the clamp closed, and pump a few times to tighten.
Yes most of us do but when comparing a one-handed clamp, you need to pump 26 times from fully open. It was an example to show you how quickly the spring loaded clamp closes with one hand
Thanks for the review. I'm thinking dust will get in there, or the spring will weaken over time.
Maybe not.
Absolutely the endcap can come off and you can blow it out with an air nozzle
That was one of the first things I thought of
My smallest clamp that I am willing to use for glue ups are 24 inches long. And the trigger clamps I use advertise something like 500lbs of pressure.
The clamp I use for clamping something quickly one handed... Or to support something are like visegrips that have an auto adjusting tentions that you set and it doesn't matter the Dept.
As for closing my larger clamps yeah sometimes it's a pain. Haven't grown the third arm the COVID vaccine promised.... So yeah it could come in handy. Do I think in my pro woodworking shop I will own one... Maybe one but it will likely not be 10 or 20 like my other clamps
Interesting and worth looking into. Having said that I think the best trigger clamp out there is by Dewalt and particularly once you get to the 12 inch on up clamps. Although they are not spring loaded the trigger action is extremely smooth. I don’t know if it truly has 600 pounds of clamping force, but it’s plenty for any job you’re going to do. They do cost more than even these Rockwood clamps, but they work so well I have no buyers remorse for buying them.
I’ve been looking at these clamps and wondering how well they work and soon as you said it may help if you have arthritis after that I’m going to pick up a few. Thank you for the information much appreciated.
Nice find
Great review.
Glad you enjoyed it
0:57 small criticism. If you partner with the company then by definition it isn’t an independent review.
I have 100% freedom to say what I want and report to my subscribers - my findings