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Stanley's 2x4 Clamps. Yea or Nay?

By Rain Noe - August 2, 2013

in Hand Tools

The saying goes that "You can never have too many clamps." That's why you'll see collections like Lumberjock Canadian Woodtick's, below, decorating a woodworker's shop walls. Never knowing exactly what size clamp you'll need for any given project means you've really got to spend a lot to cover all the bases. Pipe clamps ameliorate the situation somewhat, but you've still got to buy the pipes—and carry them around if you need them for an on-site job.

Stanley Tools has thus introduced their new 2×4 clamp, designed for the tradesman on-the-go. The idea is that rather than needing to load the truck up with bar- and pipe-clamps, you bring only the 2×4 clamps to the jobsite; once there you grab something presumably in abundant supply—a 2×4, if you're putting up a house—and that becomes your "bar." Check it out:

The convenience of the portability cannot be denied, but I wonder how these things measure up during actual operation. I don't have much experience with clamps longer than 24”, but for those of you that do: How do you see these things working out? Do you think they'd be trickier than a pipe clamp to wield into place, requiring two people for the longer spans? What applications would you use or not use these things for?

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Joe

10 years ago

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I've work with 2x3 wood clamps they work great. I see these as a addition to mine. You can extend to any size needed. You don't need a lot of pressure if your joints are fitted correctly.

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Bill

11 years ago

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I used these for clamping together a walnut headboard for a king sized bed and had to span more than 80 inches. It worked great and was easy to work with. Very happy with the results! This is a good idea.
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Adam

11 years ago

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These are not really a replacement for pipe clamps. Instead, they are a new type of clamp and I can already think of many uses not shown in the video. I think these will definitely catch on with framers.
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jon

11 years ago

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I could have used these in the process of building a shed. It would have been nice to help just lightly hold up the wall while I tacked up the other ones. It was annoying to have to add other 2x4's with screws when I could have just lightly clamped it all with enough force to slap them together. Granted, I probably wouldnt do any fine furnishings with it, but I can see these being helpful in the roughing stages.
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Lintballoon

11 years ago

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I would use these for clamping 2x4s together
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Big Rob

11 years ago

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First off, for all you donkeys talking about flex or not finding a straight 2x4 etc, do you get your lumber from the .50 cull bin a the big box?!

I've never gotten a spf lift with <50% straight 2x4s. Now I know some of you may be fine woodworking, shop, DIYers, but I think this tool is meant for the guy in the field daily. Yes, I have a plethora of clamps, most stay in the shop. I carry a few in my truck tool box, but these, are very utilitarian and innovative.

Have to carry a 2x4 to use these?! How cheap are you guys? 2x4s are dirt cheap and so common on most sites, it takes more to build a set of disposable saw horses, are as stakes, braces, etc than for use with these clamps.

Very innovative. I'm sure Irwin, Bessey and others will follow suit with their variations of this great design. Shop work, fine work, maybe not the best. But in the field, this concept has multiple uses.

And Parsons, clamps, not menstrual cramps like you may be experiencing. :)
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noah

11 years ago

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pipe clamps probably deflect as much or more than a 2x4. I'm a full-time furniture-maker with occasional installations, and I'd definitely prefer to just throw a set of these in the toolbox rather than having to haul some bars or pipes on the job. Also, these seem intended for occasional, on site use. I don't think warping will be a problem. I was expecting to be annoyed/dismissive, but these are a good idea.
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Rob Wilkey

11 years ago

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Well they'll be cheaper than wide bar clamps, but I would worry about a 2x4 warping more than a steel pipe.
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Bill

11 years ago

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I get free cramps whenever I eat too fast
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Blair Miller

11 years ago

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I wonder if they're something Stanley will sell enough of to justify their development costs and possibly turn a profit on, but no one will ever actually use. "Seems like a good idea" and "I used that yesterday" are two different things.

And I'd have to agree--2x4's aren't exactly straight or rigid without some help. The clamps themselves look a little on the flimsy side, but I'll reserve judgement until/if I ever hold one in hand.
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Mike Parsons

11 years ago

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Two points:

1. Cramps should be rigid... being the same material as the subject they'll flex and move.

2. Cramps for wood, Clamps for metal. I don't know why, my Dad (trained by the queens cabinet maker don't-you-know) told me this when I first used his cramps as toy guns when I was a kid...
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Chris

11 years ago

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I don't know... 2x4s aren't straight enough for this to replace the need for bar and pipe clamps. Would be useful to keep in the truck though.
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