IRWIN QUICK-GRIP Bar Clamp Hold-Down Jig

So let me get this straight, I would need to cut a circular hole out of my work bench and screw this jig in? Doesn't seem very convenient, no wonder they're dumping them. The stands are interesting but I assume they only work with Irwin clamps? Don't think mine have the same holes

Pssh...you could make this in an hour with scraps, right?

(I kid, just wanted to be first to say that)

Yah, the stand looks interesting and I do have these clamps. I'll have a look when I'm at Lowe's next but maybe not go out of my way for it.

Thanks for sharing, OP!

these and other irwin products have been on clearance for a month now so dont make a special tip expecting to find any

Quote from leovip : So let me get this straight, I would need to cut a circular hole out of my work bench and screw this jig in? Doesn't seem very convenient, no wonder they're dumping them. The stands are interesting but I assume they only work with Irwin clamps? Don't think mine have the same holes

The circular hole is called a dog hole on a workbench. I don't think the idea is to randomly put a hole in your bench but rather place these where they'd be most convenient on your workbench.

I don't know how much I'll use either of the items but as I've been getting into woodworking and have some clamps so far. Looking at them, I'm thinking they may work with other clamps also as the clamps I own (Irwin and Dewalt appear to both work with them). I just saw them for that cheap and thought what the heck, I'll drop a few dollars for them.

Thanks

I agree with the dude above. If you're gonna drill a dog hole in your bench, why would you bother mounting one of these instead of just using a more convenient, traditional holdfast? This is a product that really doesn't need to exist.

Thanks!

Quote from leovip : So let me get this straight, I would need to cut a circular hole out of my work bench and screw this jig in? Doesn't seem very convenient, no wonder they're dumping them. The stands are interesting but I assume they only work with Irwin clamps? Don't think mine have the same holes

I guess you'd be drilling if you don't already have a workbench with dog holes. What if you already have workbench with dog holes? This is simply a way to use their clamps as bench dog hold down. Something like this from Kreg requires you to unthread [amazon.com]the base if you need to clear the table. I guess a convenience of this Irwin method is once you remove the clamp, you don't need to remove anything underneath since it would be screwed there permanently.

Also, regarding you thinking you don't have the same holes... dog holes in the US are universally 3/4 inch. They are 20mm in Europe.

I grabbed 14 of these...

I have 6 of the Irwin clamps (6" to 12" versions), but I use the Harbor Freight version (the blue and orange ones) for all my clamping needs that require longer clamps. And all the Irwin accessories fit those.

Perfect timing as well. I'm at the stage on my new workbench where I'm adding my dogs, and I can now create 1" dogs around the outside so I can mount these.

Irwin makes low cost, good stuff, but they charge wayyyyy too much for larger, and heavy duty clamps.

Quote from leovip : So let me get this straight, I would need to cut a circular hole out of my work bench and screw this jig in? Doesn't seem very convenient, no wonder they're dumping them. The stands are interesting but I assume they only work with Irwin clamps? Don't think mine have the same holes

If you did a lot of woodworking, you would understand.

I have 1 functioning arm. As such, it means I have, and use, clamps out the keister!

I'm not sure your background, but every shop should have a good amount of clamps. You might not understand it, but once you have them, you will never be able to function without them. And a heavy duty benchdog style clamping system like this (that can spin 360° is magical).

Quote from jeremymikell : First time post, so forgive me if I don't do this right but found some IRWIN clamp accessories on a really good sale when in Lowe's yesterday and today. This item shows $8.98 online but in store they were $1.79. IRWIN QUICK-GRIP Bar Clamp Hold-Down Jig ($1.79 - reg $8.98) https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-QU...1000235689 Brickseek: https://brickseek.com/lowes-inven...1000235689 IRWIN QUICK-GRIP Bar Clamp Stand ($1.79 - reg $8.98) https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-QU...1000235691 Brickseek: https://brickseek.com/lowes-inven...1000235691 There were a couple other accessories on a similar clearance. These items were on the shelf with all the other IRWIN clamps.

Probably want to put the price in the title...

Quote from TheHamPimp : I agree with the dude above. If you're gonna drill a dog hole in your bench, why would you bother mounting one of these instead of just using a more convenient, traditional holdfast? This is a product that really doesn't need to exist.

You and the dude above seem to have a hard time with simple concepts.

All bench systems that have any clamping or bench dog system require holes to be drilled in a bench top. That has been a practice that dates back a thousands of years. Benchtops are made to be worked on. It's not some sin to drill a hole in a benchtop it is how they are made useful.

If you do decide to drill a hole in your bench to use a holdfast that must be purchased they will set you back $20 and up. For those that own some Irwin clamps already they only have a $1.79 outlay to get some great clamping functionality.

If you do decide to drill a hole in your bench for a hodfast you better make sure that it is a bench top of at least 2" thick and for traditional bench dogs that better be 2" of hardwood as softwood tops have a tendency for the holes to wear and oblong quickly when using bench dogs which makes the hole you drilled useless. Benchdogs will also have some trouble in thicker tops and modification to the underside of the top may be in order. The cost of a 2" thick hardwood benchtop is prohibitive to many and for a $1.79 the Irwin jig can save thousands in cash and countless hours of work and offer a simple and effective bench top clamping system. Not sure but it also appears to me that the Irwin system fits a standard bench dog hole which makes for more clamping options when a holdfast may not be ideal

This jig could work on something as simple as a piece of 3/4" plywood. That may be pushing it for attachment but thicker block of hardwood attached on the underside would give more strength to the system and you could basically slap the clamp on just about any piece of wood or bench top of any thickness. It could even be used in the field or on a temporary work surface.

I can think of hundreds of uses for the thing. Options for use for this thing are almost unlimited. Fire, cars and computers didn't really need to exist but I find them very useful. Take the below to heart and it can expand your horizons.

"There is a principal which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep man in everlasting ignorance – That principle is contempt prior to investigation."
Herbert Spencer

Looks like this deal is available online, too (at least at my nearest store)

Order Summary
Item Total $17.46
Estimated Tax $1.22
Military Discount - $1.74
Add Promotional Code
Total Savings $62.10

Here is a pretty good look at a few of the accessories in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbiPyGiH050

To search for clamp accessories at your local store (can look at brickseek too after finding product info):

https://www.lowes.com/pl/Clamp-at...ariants=0#