Slickdeals is community-supported.  We may get paid by brands or deals, including promoted items.
Forum Thread

Rockler 48" Sure-Foot Aluminum Bar Clamp - $29.99

$29.99
+10 Deal Score
10,722 Views
** 48" length only - $10 / 25% off

From the website:
Get all the great features of the aluminum Sure-Foot® Pipe Clamp in a size that matches your project! This Rockler-exclusive design is available in 24", 36", 48", and 60" lengths.

Features:
  • Extra wide 2-1/2" foot for exceptional stability
  • Higher base that raises the bar 1-1/2" above the table for excellent handle clearance
  • Built-in clamp hook locks onto a 3/4" board eliminating the need to "clamp the clamp" when hanging on a wall

https://www.rockler.com/surefoot-...A1&linkID=
Good Deal?
Add Comment
Created 05-14-2021 at 06:34 AM by cdmcc
If you purchase something through a post on our site, Slickdeals may get a small share of the sale.
Deal
Score
+10
10,722 Views

Your comment cannot be blank.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Nov 2011
New User
> bubble2 13 Posts
14 Reputation
Money_Please
05-14-2021 at 10:34 AM.
05-14-2021 at 10:34 AM.
Thoughts on this vs pipe clamps for longer-ish glue ups?
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Dec 2011
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 81 Posts
36 Reputation
numerical
05-14-2021 at 10:42 AM.
05-14-2021 at 10:42 AM.
Quote from nbaras :
Thoughts on this vs pipe clamps for longer-ish glue ups?

The only down side of the pipe clamps is the weight of the iron pipes.
3
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Mar 2021
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 622 Posts
245 Reputation
Original Poster
cdmcc
05-14-2021 at 10:43 AM.
05-14-2021 at 10:43 AM.
Quote from nbaras :
Thoughts on this vs pipe clamps for longer-ish glue ups?
These are best characterized as mid-weight clamps and are functionally comparable to your standard pipe clamp. They're aluminum so you can expect a much lighter product but obviously you lack the length-swap versatility of a pipe setup.
2
1
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Jul 2017
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 79 Posts
42 Reputation
Handplanepastor
05-14-2021 at 10:54 AM.
05-14-2021 at 10:54 AM.
If you want to add some rigidity to the clamps as well as a bit of an upgrade, watch Paul Sellers' video on these types of clamps. He uses them and likes them, but only after he's gone over them.

Basically, he cuts a piece of pine, or whatever, to fit in the back. He takes a small square of thin wood, I used 1/4" plywood, and uses dbl sided tape to fix them to the pads. Last of all he takes a file to the threads and very lightly goes over them in both directions. Of course he cleans the filings and greases them out again.

They are decent clamps for the money
1
>
1
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Jun 2014
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 6,792 Posts
ToolDeals
05-14-2021 at 10:59 AM.
05-14-2021 at 10:59 AM.
Quote from nbaras :
Thoughts on this vs pipe clamps for longer-ish glue ups?
Pipe clamps.... only limited by length of pipe with much more available pressure.

We bought 12 of the Irwin version of the OP type for $10 each at Menards on sale, whereas Harbor Freight sells their similar version for $15 retail before any sale. The difference is no feet and no problem... put two boards down first and build off of those with the option of leveling the boards with shims on work tables and floors that might not be perfect. We actually have pieces of aluminum tubing from an old store front (scrap aluminum) instead of boards, but either work well for projects on floors that are not perfectly flat and level. Trying to level just the feet on these [over priced imported] OP clamps is futile at best.
1
2
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Mar 2021
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 622 Posts
245 Reputation
Original Poster
cdmcc
05-14-2021 at 11:02 AM.
05-14-2021 at 11:02 AM.
Quote from Handplanepastor :
If you want to add some rigidity to the clamps as well as a bit of an upgrade, watch Paul Sellers' video on these types of clamps. He uses them and likes them, but only after he's gone over them.
That is good advice...see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyKiGmRq3wY
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Jun 2014
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 6,792 Posts
ToolDeals
05-14-2021 at 11:08 AM.
05-14-2021 at 11:08 AM.
Quote from Handplanepastor :
If you want to add some rigidity to the clamps as well as a bit of an upgrade, watch Paul Sellers' video on these types of clamps. He uses them and likes them, but only after he's gone over them.

Basically, he cuts a piece of pine, or whatever, to fit in the back. He takes a small square of thin wood, I used 1/4" plywood, and uses dbl sided tape to fix them to the pads. Last of all he takes a file to the threads and very lightly goes over them in both directions. Of course he cleans the filings and greases them out again.

They are decent clamps for the money
'Grease' and wood projects should probably not be in the same building. You might try Teflon spray that dries... or nothing at all. Grease/oil, even if seemingly wiped off, seems to get on everything and never shows up until in the finish... especially if water based.

PS: So, I am supposed to pay the already overpriced $30 for imported clamps and then still have to rebuild them to do their job? Obviously, "decent clamps for the money" is objective and subjective. Smilie
1
4
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Last edited by ToolDeals May 14, 2021 at 12:32 PM.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Mar 2007
Super really cool person
> bubble2 2,270 Posts
1,002 Reputation
jammer
05-14-2021 at 11:14 AM.
05-14-2021 at 11:14 AM.
Horrible reviews. Take a look at the 1 star reviews.
3
2
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Mar 2021
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 622 Posts
245 Reputation
Original Poster
cdmcc
05-14-2021 at 11:19 AM.
05-14-2021 at 11:19 AM.
Quote from jammer :
Horrible reviews. Take a look at the 1 star reviews.
The majority of the 1-star issues are 1. people who have unrealistic expectations of this type of clamp and 2. issues cleaned up by the suggestions in the video linked above.
1
3
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Mar 2007
Super really cool person
> bubble2 2,270 Posts
1,002 Reputation
jammer
05-14-2021 at 11:30 AM.
05-14-2021 at 11:30 AM.
Quote from cdmcc :
The majority of the 1-star issues are 1. people who have unrealistic expectations of this type of clamp and 2. issues cleaned up by the suggestions in the video linked above.

If you can break the clamp by turning the crank to clamp something, then no, that's not an unrealistic expectation of the tool. The video did nothing to remedy the screw being too weak.
5
2
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Mar 2021
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 622 Posts
245 Reputation
Original Poster
cdmcc
05-14-2021 at 11:36 AM.
05-14-2021 at 11:36 AM.
Quote from jammer :
If you can break the clamp by turning the crank to clamp something, then no, that's not an unrealistic expectation of the tool. The video did nothing to remedy the screw being too weak.
If you break the screw chances are you've maxed out the clamping pressure of the clamp. So yes, that is an unrealistic expectation. You have to be smart about the capacity of the tool you're using.
2
6
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Mar 2007
Super really cool person
> bubble2 2,270 Posts
1,002 Reputation
jammer
05-14-2021 at 11:38 AM.
05-14-2021 at 11:38 AM.
Quote from cdmcc :
If you break the screw chances are you've maxed out the clamping pressure of the clamp. So yes, that is an unrealistic expectation. You have to be smart about the capacity of the tool you're using.

No. The manufacturer needs to make sure the clamp handle is the appropriate length or the screw and clamp assembly casting is strong enough so it doesn't break itself. Otherwise they should just sell it at Harbor Freight.
6
2
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Jun 2014
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 6,792 Posts
ToolDeals
05-14-2021 at 12:43 PM.
05-14-2021 at 12:43 PM.
Quote from jammer :
No. The manufacturer needs to make sure the clamp handle is the appropriate length or the screw and clamp assembly casting is strong enough so it doesn't break itself. Otherwise they should just sell it at Harbor Freight.
They are sold at HF for half price before any sale.... both made in Taiwan. Rockler, Woodpecker, etc., all sell imported items from Asia to the ignorant at USA/German manufactured prices.

I think what might be happening for some, is they are modifying these clamps to not bow that is an indication they are maxed out... and applying more pressure than the thread housing can take.... maybe. I know that by hand only tightening, you are not going to break the Irwin's we have that were $10 each for the 48".
1
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Jun 2014
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 6,792 Posts
ToolDeals
05-14-2021 at 12:59 PM.
05-14-2021 at 12:59 PM.
Quote from cdmcc :
That is good advice...see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyKiGmRq3wY
Notice those clamps are not these Rockler clamps with the feet? They actually look very much like the older HF clamps.
1
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Page 1 of 2
Start the Conversation
 

More Hand Tools Deals & Discounts

Link Copied

The link has been copied to the clipboard.