Two of the LV surface clamps . . . what would you do?

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

So I received two of the Lee Valley surface clamps (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=57059&cat=1,41637) this Christmas. I mainly foresee myself using them in my sliding deadman to assist in holding stock to the front of the bench, so I don't see that I'm going to use two of them there. I could probably make a hold-fast work in the deadman, but the surface clamp seems a little more amenable, particularly as my deadman gets a bit thin at the top where I notched it out so it can clear my bench dogs when sliding back and forth. Being able to function as a clamp in shallower holes might also be handy (so if I want to add some holes to the front of the bench or the legs I don't need to make them super deep) I don't have any hold-fasts right now, but plan on picking some up soon, and plan on using those more on the bench top, where I can see having two clamps being more helpful.

So I'm not sure I actually need two of these, and was thinking of returning one, if LV is amenable to that, or trading/reselling here in the classifieds. I suppose one can never have to many clamps of any variety, as the saying goes, and I'm sure someday a situation would present itself where the second one could prove invaluable; but wonder if anyone has some thoughts on this matter - I still have to mull this over a bit before I make a decision, but anyone have any thoughts on the matter - any instances where having two of these could prove invaluable?

The only thing that comes to mind is perhaps clamping carcase stock to the bench for dovetailing - clamp the left side in the vise, and then using both of these, I could clamp the right side to the sliding deadman - having it clamped in two spots may very well be more secure and help cut down on unwanted vibration.

I'm really thinking I might get the most utility out of trading up one of the surface clamps for the Lee Valley hold-down (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=31149&cat=1,41637)

[Jim Matthews]

I use both. The surface clamps are REALLY handy on a sliding deadman.

The hold-down has a minimum post length of 5" - so it's too long for my sliding deadman.
I find them particularly useful holding battens to my bench, or clamping a hand-screw to the front of my bench.

That said, I happened on a cheapo Taiwanese cast iron hold fast that is much easier to use than either LV product.

If you've not used them, and you're unsure - go with your gut.
You can't go wrong buying something from LV, resale values remain high.

[Jim Koepke]

Your link didn't work for me. This one will open the page for the surface clamps:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=57059&cat=1,41637

My jaw dropped at the price. When mine were bought a few years ago they were about half that price, iirc.

There are a lot of things that can be done with two of them. If there are dog holes along the front of your bench, you can devise a a custom sized twin screw vise.

For rabbets, slots or other repetitive tasks, they can be quick for securing different sized stock along the front of the bench.

As soon as you get rid of it, you will find a dozen uses for it.

On the other hand, a hold down might be a good choice for a second item.

jtk

[Jim Neeley]

Love their hold down... The threaded adjustment simplifies finesse on controlling clamping pressure, as well as releasing it.

[Maurice Ungaro]

You only need one of them. Send the other one to me!

[Don Dorn]

Well, I understand your concern. I had one and eventually got rid of it because I didn't use it near as much as I thought. I now have the hold down and use that on every nearly every project. I recommend working with Lee Valley on a trade for what you need as they have a rep of wanting you to be happy. Happy customers are loyal customers and they understand this basic concept. Don't sell it on Classified - you don't need to take that hit.

While I recommend the hold down, you have to decide what would work best for you.

[RickT Harding]

I don't have them yet, but I just ordered a pair of these. My thought was that it'd be a bit easier to use/place in a tight space for things like holding down saw/shooting boards, holding parts while doing mortising, as well as using for my front apron on the bench. I already have one of their hold downs though, which is nice, but with the arm reach and overall size it eats up bench space when trying to setup multiple stations on there. Then again, I guess I'm just a sucker for clamps (bench clamps or otherwise)

[Rob Lee]

Hi Joshua -

I'd be glad to trade you straight up....

One of each would be a lot more useful to most folks, than a pair of one.....

Cheers -

Rob

[Jack Curtis]

Might be time to refine your gift asking protocol. :)

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

I actually got them both from my father, who figured one wouldn't be very useful on it's own. I don't think I had explained how I planned to mostly use it on the board jack/deadman. I had also mentioned a pair of the Gramercy holdfasts, (which ended up being out of stock) which may be why he thought I would like two of these.

I actually feel really bad that he spent that much money on me.

Prior to starting this thread, I emailed the customer service folks at Lee Valley, (to make sure a return was within their policy) and they're both very helpful as well as humorous. They joked that after I send in a return they'd pick out another item to mail me, so it'd be a surprise like Christmas all over again.

[Jack Curtis]

...Prior to starting this thread, I emailed the customer service folks at Lee Valley, (to make sure a return was within their policy) and they're both very helpful as well as humorous. They joked that after I send in a return they'd pick out another item to mail me, so it'd be a surprise like Christmas all over again.

Heh, heh, must be selling like gangbusters, expecting huge bonuses, to be in such a great mood. Glad to hear you've got it all worked out.

[Matthew N. Masail]

so funny.... I bought one and I'm trying to sell it for 25$ less. I hardly used it... I just don't have a use for it and hate crancking the knob. I plan to get traditional holdfasts.

[John Piwaron]

Why not just use a holdfast? $20 for one at www.toolsforworkingwood.com They're in the Gramercy area of that site. I think it's $35 for 2.

[Stanley Covington]

I bought one when they first came out because it looked useful. Shortcomings:
1. Clamping distance is quite narrow, limiting usefulness
2. The mechanism securing it to the workbench top is relatively shallow, and is not adequately rigid, so that the stem rotates too much due to the bending moment.
3. Regardless of the workpiece being secured, the stem projects the same distance up from the work surface, getting in the way on all but thick workpieces.
4. I had thought to use it in my sliding deadman like they show in the advertisements, but it hooks my thigh and is always in the way, it sticks out so far.

I never use it.

For nearly the same price, the LV holdfast resolves all the limitations of listed above, and is a much more useful tool, IMO. I own two of them and love them.

Stan

[Mike Holbrook]

I have one of each, ready for when I finish my bench. I have been thinking about a second Surface Clamp. My bench will have a front leg vise with Benchcrafted hardware and a LV Quick Release Sliding Tail Vise so I'm not sure how much a second surface clamp would get used either. My tail vise will have dog holes in the side and top, so it can help on the front of the bench as well. Maybe the decision depends on the other vises and general set up of your bench.

[Rob Lee]

Hi -

If you're looking to use the surface clamp to replace a holdfast, you won't be happy with it - it was actually designed to do things a holdfast won't do.

The main advantage of the surface clamp is that it mounts in a blind hole, or a very shallow hole. This is incredibly useful when working on site - you can drill a hole and have a hold down anywhere... sawhorses, workmates, even in studs or joists. Certainly it has uses in a bench - but for a bench designed for holdfast use, it will have limited application. (most people don't want to drill random shallow holes in their benches.... :0 ) . The deadman application is one where many find it useful, as some deadmans are not thick enough for a holdfast to work effectively....

It's a specialised solution - not a generic one....

Cheers -

Rob

[Matthew N. Masail]

Hi Rob, I think it might be appropriate to have that explained on your site, I bought one thinking it was something else - I would have got your other holdfast and been much happier.