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Post by aas on Jul 7, 2020 0:10:45 GMT -5
I think this is an inherent problem to this style of clamp - between the moment the lever is compressed to put pressure and the moment it is released, it always seems that the head moves back a fraction... your clamps look similar to the Bosch clamps.
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Jul 7, 2020 11:32:51 GMT -5
Nice job on the clamps. I own both the old Mafell screw clamps and the new Bosch ratcheting version with the pad in line, not the offset version shown above. The Bosch snug down as tight as the Mafell. Happy to have both. The screw clamps are compact, easy to transport and handy for other non rail applications. The ratcheting clamp can accommodate thicker stock and are more convenient to tighten.
John
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Post by kraftt on Jul 7, 2020 12:54:51 GMT -5
I bought those cheap clamps when they reminded me of the Bosch design. I’d heard the plate can break off the Bosch’s if dropped and thought welding would be a good choice. Just threw them in a drawer as an eventual project. Recently I saw the exact same clamps Bosch uses, and just slips a head on to, for $7 (which is double what I paid for my p.o.s.). So I dug out mine and tacked on some thin bar to test. I also see some cad files out there for plastic heads. I'm thinking this might be the best of all choices as you could throw a bunch of heads in the rail bag and only when you need longer clamps just undo whatever ratcheting clamps you have around and pop on these heads.  |
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Post by kraftt on Jul 7, 2020 22:49:57 GMT -5
I opened up the clamps to see if it was possible to improve clamping pressure. It turns out these fake clamps use fake 'bluing'. It wipes off like black soot with a little cleaner. There was also a tiny bit of lube in there so I wiped that off as well. Taking a cue from the F clamps I rasped both edges of the bars quickly and now they perform quite well. Added a bumper to protect edges.  |
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Post by kraftt on Jul 10, 2020 13:53:55 GMT -5
A few more refinements. Even though these are short if you get rid of the bar stop pin you can eke out 215mm / 8.5” of clamping range. Then to improve compression even more replace the hard plastic pads with a softer vinyl pads ($2 for an assortment pack at Almost Tools). Not sure why the softer pad helps but it’s noticeable. Slip the pads on backwards so if they ever migrate (to fall off and get lost) they instead hit the bar and are captured. Then drill a few shallow dimples in the black plastic jaw and glue new pad on with polyurethane which adheres to softer vinyl pad.   |
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Post by mafellme on Jul 20, 2020 9:10:50 GMT -5
Currently still listed as available here:
amazon.co.uk/Bosch-2608000426-G-Clamps-Black-Silver/dp/B0030VWYAK
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Post by aas on Jul 21, 2020 16:25:46 GMT -5
Not the same clamps, they have the thick heads
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Post by mafellme on Jul 22, 2020 7:26:08 GMT -5
Not the same clamps, they have the thick heads When I originally bought my MT55, I knew about the Bosch screw clamps being incompatible. In the couple of years since then, I evidently forgot about this, and I'm going to have to return my pair of these that I just ordered, from the above link! :-( |
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Post by aas on Jul 22, 2020 14:07:20 GMT -5
Maybe you could find a machine shop to mill them down to size... let us know how it goes if you do!
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Post by kraftt on Jul 22, 2020 16:52:56 GMT -5
Still very useful clamps.
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Post by mafellme on Jul 22, 2020 17:05:34 GMT -5
Yeah, thanks lads, but I only ordered them thinking they'd serve as spares if I ever lose one of my screw-type mafell rail clamps.
I'll be sending these straight back to the retailer.
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iban
Full Member
Posts: 111
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Post by iban on Sept 3, 2020 16:44:09 GMT -5
Just bought one pair today from a mafell dealer. They still have some more.
Old and not cheap but they are light and works fine. Still cheaper than the new ones.
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Post by kraftt on Sept 3, 2020 22:53:18 GMT -5
I'd be interested in picking up a backup pair in case I lose one. Did you mention this dealer elsewhere or are they different?
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Post by huntsgemein on Sept 3, 2020 23:13:26 GMT -5
Interested in finding out myself too!
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Post by newuser on Mar 24, 2021 23:29:46 GMT -5
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