Unusual C-Clamp with carry handle

[lptools]

I'm not sure if I posted this before , but , here goes!   Looking for info on this C-clamp. This is a massive clamp , 24-1/2" from the end of the handle to the end of the frame. That is a Wilton 4" swivel base vise for scale. It has a maximum opening from 7-1/4" -14". No markings , just wondering if anyone has seen this style , or, knows of its specific use .

[Yadda]

That is a beast if a clamp.  Really neat!

[lptools]

Hello, yadda. Thanks! I'm guessing it had a specific task , as it will not clamp anything unless it is at least 7-1/4" wide.

[moparthug]

In my youth we needed to drill 1-1/4 holes into 8 or 10 inch I beams on site, we used a couple of big clamps this to hold the drill unit in place. But I don't remember them having carry handles, and they were battleship grey in color.

[JoeCB]

Very special for sure... never seen one with a carry handle.  Any makers mark?
Joe B

[Bill Houghton]

Two thoughts:

1.  If that was designed to clamp on to something to facilitate picking it up and carrying it around, the handle may have been useful in case there wasn't finger room between clamp and thing clamped.

2.  It looks like a heavy critter - I've never seen a C-clamp with such a heavy frame.  Maybe the handle was to make carrying easier.

[lptools]

Hello, JoeCB . No markings on the clamp!

[lptools]

Hello, Bill. Thanks for the reply. What is even more unusual , at least to me , is that it will not clamp anything unless it is 7-1/2" or larger.

[Bill Houghton]

I've seen photos - I don't recall seeing any in the wild, although I may have - of other large-capacity C-clamps on which the screw didn't close all the way to the fixed pad.  It makes sense, if you assume the clamp owner has a full array of clamps: the longer the screw, the easier it is to bend it with over-enthusiastic clamping, or by applying stress to the screw with poor clamping or other poor practices.  So providing enough screw length to clamp within a specific range, but no more, increases the odds that the screw won't bend.

As a side benefit for the manufacturer, a shorter screw can be one that is also used on a smaller-capacity clamp.  Large-capacity clamps were/are probably not big sellers, and being able to go to the standard parts bin for the screw would make it cheaper to manufacture (no doubt, that savings was passed on to the consumer  ).

[lptools]

Hello, Bill. thanks for the info!! Makes perfect sense to me!!