The only ones of these I have are the F-clamps.   I've been happy with them.   I originally got a few as "leave-behinds" but find they work well.   Had one where the handle slipped and they replaced it, no questions asked.

 

I noted his comment about "the demise of American-made clamps"

 

https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/harbor-freight-clamps-one-year-later

Got a few of those F styles and 4 of the bar clamps. The Bar clamps were purchased when Lee Valley had a one time sale on them about 15 years ago. But, they are identical to the HF ones. IIRC, the 4 were $20. I have no complaints at all.

I have a lot of the F style and since most of my work is small. I use them a lot. Bought 4 squeeze type with the grey pads, they don't hold worth a darn. Not even close to the Irwin or Ridgid.

Herb

Had a couple of those HF squeeze types. Trying to make them hold better, I squeezed harder. Blew the sides out. Pure crap. But, they still sell them. 

4 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Had a couple of those HF squeeze types. Trying to make them hold better, I squeezed harder. Blew the sides out. Pure crap. But, they still sell them. 

Be a good way to impress the unknowing on what a good grip you still have.  I did the same, buckled where the plastic pin goes thru, pinched my hand too, Ouch.

Herb

42 minutes ago, Dadio said:

Be a good way to impress the unknowing on what a good grip you still have.  I did the same, buckled where the plastic pin goes thru, pinched my hand too, Ouch.

Herb

Herb, I'll not lie...I used both hands. 

55 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Herb, I'll not lie...I used both hands. 

Next time use one of the Irwin's to squeeze the H-F

16 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Next time use one of the Irwin's to squeeze the H-F

Ain't gonna be no next time. 

Saw Michael Fortune using some of the F-clamps on Fine Woodworking.   Just saying.

But, stay away from those plastic ones.

On 3/24/2018 at 3:41 AM, Dadio said:

I have a lot of the F style and since most of my work is small. I use them a lot. Bought 4 squeeze type with the grey pads, they don't hold worth a darn. Not even close to the Irwin or Ridgid.

Herb

Herber????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You didn't just say that did you?

 

(note to self; Herber didn't defend HF squeeze clamps, 3/25/2018)

3 hours ago, schnewj said:

Herber????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You didn't just say that did you?

 

(note to self; Herber didn't defend HF squeeze clamps, 3/25/2018)

 

gimme a bit more time to recover and get off of the floor...

Pittsburgh® - item#60539

 

Another one I like is the 24" and 36"aluminum bar clamp too, from HF.  They run about $12.00 ea. and I use them a lot for small glue ups, which I mostly do. Great for making cutting boards and boxes where you have 2-3 or more panels gluing at a time. They are light weight ,but plenty strong enough to put enough pressure for small panel glue ups.

Herb

While we are on the subject of HF clamps, these little babies are great bargains for c-clamps.

 

4 in., and 6" Industrial C-Clamp

Pittsburgh® - item#62137

 

I have a dozen or more of them and your can really crank them down if you want. This style clamp has been around a long time and never goes out of favor for clamping chores, everytime  I go to HF I throw a couple in my basket, so I don't run out of them. They work good on both wood and metal working.

 

Herb

Edited March 26, 20188 yr by Dadio

Their hand screw clamps ain't too shabby, neither.

5 hours ago, Dadio said:

While we are on the subject of HF clamps, these little babies are great bargains for c-clamps.

 

4 in., and 6" Industrial C-Clamp

Pittsburgh® - item#62137

 

I have a dozen or more of them and your can really crank them down if you want. This style clamp has been around a long time and never goes out of favor for clamping chores, everytime  I go to HF I throw a couple in my basket, so I don't run out of them. They work good on both wood and metal working.

 

Herb

I am reminded of one of the founding members of the woodworking club.    I never saw anything he made, but he apparently loved tools.   I went to his estate auction.  I counted over 100 lots of four 3" and 4" C-clamps.   This was in addition to a matched and  graduated set of Bessey K-bodies.  I kept wondering what he was thinking when he picked up that 90th, 91st, 92nd set of C-Clamps - either "I don't have enough" or "I can't find them in all the junk."   

 

Likewise he had four banquet tables full of art supplies -- brushes, oils, pastels, acrylics, pencils, books of art paper, canvases, etc.  Most look like they'd never been used more than once.

 

I will have to confess that two years ago, I stumbled into a guy whose house sold and he had 48 hours to get out.  He was moving to an apartment before retiring and moving back to Canada.   He wanted to sell his whole shop for $2k.   The usual stuff -- a nice table saw, jointer, spindle sander, drill press, and all the go-withs.   If I wasn't already in the middle of a move, I would have spring for it.   But I did get about 100 clamps for $100.   A few K bodies, a number of 3/4" pipe clamps, a bunch of F clamps and C clamps and some QuickClamps.    I think I"m good now.   But there are still times where I have to stop glue ups because I've run out of a particular size of clamp.  

I'll probably not get rid of all my panel clamps and 3 ways but, after this last rifle box, I hope to not ever need them again. The shop is headed in a different direction....smaller projects. More hand work and lots of boxes. And, more fun.

Never have too many clamps especially when the glue is wet and your desperately looking for that last elusive clamp that you know you had stashed somewhere.

Herb

14 minutes ago, Dadio said:

Never have too many clamps especially when the glue is wet and your desperately looking for that last elusive clamp that you know you had stashed somewhere.

Herb

Edith Ann says "and that's the truth!"  I rest your case (well someone's case)!

 

          

 

  

 

 

I Love it ,Dave, has to be the "POST OF THE DAY" !!!

 

I see some HF clamps mixed in there too.

 

Herb