WTB: Irwin 11HD Locking Hold Down Clamp

[Twilight Fenrir]

Hello,

I'm looking for a, or, ideally, 2 Irwin model 11HD or equivalent. I bought one of the cheap knockoff ones from Amazon, and it's absolutely perfect for what I need... except it was built like a POS. So, having returned it, I'm now looking for a quality one :P Except, they don't seem to make the Irwin one anymore... So, yeah, I'm looking for one of these types of deals that's a good quality. Nothing else really matters, I'd like the Irwin just because I'm familiar with it, but I'll take anything as long as it's well made. I could fab one, I suppose... but... we'll see!

This is the Irwin one,



This is what I actually got:

[rusty]

The cheapo was a copy of the Irwin, but the Irwin was a copy of a clamp that has been around for ages. They are still made for industrial clamping , not just for drill presses, but for fixture setup in general, including production saws , cnc setup, presses,drill machines, etc. They have migrated to air operated clamps for high speed , but the mechanical ones are still around.

google for 'work hold down clamp' or fixture clamp'...(toggle clamp?)
(I just went looking for some for someone a few weeks ago, but og course, I didn't bookmark anything :(

[Twilight Fenrir]

The cheapo was a copy of the Irwin, but the Irwin was a copy of a clamp that has been around for ages. They are still made for industrial clamping , not just for drill presses, but for fixture setup in general, including production saws , cnc setup, presses,drill machines, etc. They have migrated to air operated clamps for high speed , but the mechanical ones are still around.

google for 'work hold down clamp' or fixture clamp'...(toggle clamp?)
(I just went looking for some for someone a few weeks ago, but og course, I didn't bookmark anything :(

Yeah, I've been searching for a couple weeks now... I'm looking to use it for two things: 1 on my drill press. And 1 on a custom setup to hold pieces for me while I blacksmith on them. :3 The cheapy one worked alright when I could get it to clamp, but turning the adjusting screw allowed the lever part to slip between the screw and the frame, jamming it and forcing me to waste precious seconds to grab it with both hands and straighten it out again.

I've been looking under 'locking hold down clamp' But, all I seem to find are the cheapy Chinese ones. I'd love a good old one! :)

[turnnut]

did you try MSC ? on internet
check out their # 73952863
in the big book #1309
brand- GIBRALTAR  ? wgere made ?
495 lb load
carbon steel
throat depth 2.71 inches
open   3.35 inches
price $29.15 

[keykeeper]

I have one of the cheapo's and have thought about using it as a hold-down for my anvil, as well.

I plan on drilling and tapping a piece of square stock to fit my hardy hole, that the clamp will screw into on the base. Then, the cam action of the square stock will hold it in place while it hold the workpiece to the face of the anvil.

I thought about cutting off the threaded portion, and re-attaching a longer piece of threaded rod to it, then using it in my pritchel hole. That  may work as well, and a nut/washer could be used to hold it tight.

Just my thoughts and brainstorming for a while. Can't do much to make it happen, until I get my shop straightened out where I can work on it.

[Lewill2]

Good old McMaster Carr has several styles but not that exact type. One style is a vise grip type with a foot on it instead of a stud. The foot has a hole in it so you can bolt it down. They also have toggle clamps used in fixtures and what they have listed as "360 degree Rotating Hold Down Clamp" that is a bolt down half of a C clamp that you can bolt down. www.mcmaster.com

[Twilight Fenrir]

Ooh, that Gibraltar one is pretty nice looking... Got good speca on it too. The throat depth is a little small, but certainly acceptable. They also have a slightly bigger one for virtually the same price. Thanks!


I thought about using it on my anvil... But instead I made a tooling plate just for stamping/cutting/punching. I basically cut an I-beam in half, and stick it in my leg vise. It has a few different holes in it to move the clamp where I need to. With a focus of keeping the piece ontop of the vertical member. Works really nicely, and when it gets all scarred up feom cutting, I can just throw a new one on there :P When I get more time/need, I might add a few accessories to it. I have an idea in my head how to make a jig to make upsetting fast, easy, and accurate. Might add a hardy hole for giggles...

Hmmm... I didn't see anything on McMaster Carr.... I've seen those toggle clamps on amazon and such, but I don't think they'll be as versatile as I need. Kreg makes a similar setup to the Irwin, but it's got a LOT of rubber on it.

[Twilight Fenrir]

Well, I went ahead and ordered one of the Gibraltar ones... Shipping is murderous, but they upgraded it to overnight free for me, so... *shrugs*

I'd still like another one for my drill press, if anyone has a used one they don't need :P Otherwise, I'll buy another Gibraltar when I've got some free money :P

Thanks!

[turnnut]

Twilight Fenrir,  before you buy another Gilbraltar, wait to see if you like it.

when I found it in MSC, I could not see where it was made.

when you get it, give us here a report on how good/bad it is.

good luck, Frank

[Twilight Fenrir]

Twilight Fenrir,  before you buy another Gilbraltar, wait to see if you like it.

when I found it in MSC, I could not see where it was made.

when you get it, give us here a report on how good/bad it is.

good luck, Frank

Yeah, that's why I only ordered one ;)

Will do!

[Twilight Fenrir]

Alright, it showed up today....

I haven't put it to the test yet... but man this thing is STOUT! It will actually clamp into the negative, below the surface it's mounted to, by almost an inch if you really want to adjust it that way. The hold-down arm is about 5/16" solid steel, very heavy duty. I have no doubt in my mind this will do what it says it will.

The foot is perfectly flat, doesn't have any teeth to bite and grip in like the chinese one I had before, but it may not need it. I can grind some in if I feel the need. It also doesn't come with the bolt to mount it. Just has a 5/16" plate with four small holes, and one 1/2" hole for a couple of mounting options.

It also has the more logical push down to release lever, than the ones on every vise grip I've owned, where you have to try to squeeze them, and frequently need a pair of pliers to unlock them :P No matter how tight I clamp this, I'm confident a quick tap with a hammer would pop it open.

I gotta pick up a grade 8 bolt at work tomorrow, then I'll clamp it up and see how it goes! I am entirely confident in its quality, however.

[turnnut]

Twilight, when they said next day shipping, they meant it. good to see some companies try to please
the customer.

thanks for the update, the reason that I checked MSC was a friend has a small factory here, and when
he needs something quick, he call them to see if they have what he needs. he realy likes them and
their products.

could you rig up a grooved adaptor to use when needed ?  something that would slide on ?

I hope it works out for you,  I will probably order one for myself and hide the one from HF.

Thanks for your input on the clamp.

[Twilight Fenrir]

Twilight, when they said next day shipping, they meant it. good to see some companies try to please
the customer.

thanks for the update, the reason that I checked MSC was a friend has a small factory here, and when
he needs something quick, he call them to see if they have what he needs. he realy likes them and
their products.

could you rig up a grooved adaptor to use when needed ?  something that would slide on ?

I hope it works out for you,  I will probably order one for myself and hide the one from HF.

Thanks for your input on the clamp.

A grooved adapter? o.o For on the hold-down foot? My welding clamps had little rubber feet... I don't see why I couldn't make a little steel grooved foot to slide on to it. That's a good idea, if that's what you meant, thanks! :3

Rather than holding it down with a bolt, I'm thinking I'll make a pin with a slit cut vertically into it, and drive a wedge through to keep it in place, making it more quick  in/out for adjusting, or transfering it to my drill press.

[Twilight Fenrir]

Well, I've used it a few times now, and I'm definitely happy with it n.n  It doesn't work so well holding down something angled while I beat it with a hammer, but it holds anything remotely regular like a champ. No slipping while I chisel on it.

Used it to make my first ram's head. And hope to use it to make my rings more easily...