The Cure for the Common Three-Hand Problem
Written: May 27 '08 (Updated May 27 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: versatile and durable clamps that operate one-handed
Cons: cons? what cons?
The Bottom Line: Next time you find yourself wishing you had a third hand, remember reading about these clamps - and that "I told you so"!
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| scmrak's Full Review: Quick-Grip 6" Mini Bar Clamp, Pack of 2 |
Anyone who has a workshop is familiar with the "three-hand problem": the occasional need for a third (or even a fourth) hand; like whenever you're trying to fasten two things together. You know how it works: you're holding one piece in the left hand and one in the right, while you stare at your hammer or screwdriver wishing you'd paid better attention when Yoda was teaching Luke how to control The Force. If you do have big enough hands to hold both pieces at the same time, your thumbs just never seem strong enough to keep them secure and straight, now do they? That's why clamps were invented.
As I've been known to say, it is possible to have enough clamps - somewhere around a couple million of 'em would be a good starting point.
Where was I? Oh, yeah - the bad thing is using a clamp used to just shift the three-hand problem to a different spot: you needed one hand to hold things together and two hands to locate and tighten the clamp. But that was before the Irwin Quick-Grip Bar Clamp was invented, the cure for the common three-hand problem!
You've seen 'em around for years: they look a lot like a bottom-heavy pistol. The iconic Irwin brand is black resin plastic, with blue and yellow labeling and yellow pads on the jaws. There's a heavy plastic hand grip on the bottom that's attached to a stationary jaw, and a moving jaw that's set on the end of a sliding steel bar. A finger release in front of the hand grip adds to the pistol-like appearance.
To operate, one opens the jaws a bit wider than the item(s) to be clamped, and squeezes the pistol grip to advance the moving jaw. It takes about six squeezes to advance the jaw an inch, or thirty-six to completely close the six-inch models. The clamping power is pretty much limited by your hand strength, though Irwin says they're good for about 150 pounds of pressure (if you have strong enough hands). The quick-release lever allows for fast removal.
The clamps have removable, non-marring pads on the jaws, a throat depth of about 2½ inches, and weigh less than twelve ounces. They're easy to sling around one-handed, and durable enough to stand up to being dropped and bumped. My set are at least ten years old, and show only a little patina of rust a few spots.
These are designed for quick and easy one-handed use. They don't apply maximum pressure like a C-clamp, and don't have a huge long jaw span like a pipe clamp. They're really best for just slapping two pieces together and holding them long enough for you to set heavy-duty clamps and make any fine adjustments. Regardless, they're indispensable for anyone who doesn't have an apprentice or two hanging around to provide that third hand on command.
Irwin makes several other models including clamps that have a larger capacity, clamps that can apply more pressure, and clamps that have reversible jaws for use as a spreader. Whatever the application, one-handed clamps will be a godsend in just about any workplace.
Recommended:
Yes
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