This isn't something I normally do, but thought this might be useful to someone. If you need F clamps and live in the region served by Menards you can get a very good buy on them right now. Currently Menard's has a bag sale that's 15% off their already very good prices on anything that fits in the bag. They also have their own line of F Clamps sold under the Masterforce name. I pciked up a few recently after someone on LJ said they are very good clamps....and that advice was spot on. So I'll compare them to a comparable Bessey, normally my favorite brand of clamp. his is an older model Bessey 4 1/2" x 12" (it has the older wooden handle with a foam grip I added) and the MF 5 1/2" x 12" clamp. The MF clamp is more stout in every way.

                      MF                                         Bessey

Bar:         1.1" x .32"                                      1.1" x .28"

Weight         3.9#                                            2.1#

throat           5.5"                                             4.5"

Price           11.99  (less15% currently)       ^$40  (as I type this Zoro has a special on them for $29.95, a very good deal)

 

The 2 pics below give you some idea of the comparisons. Anyway, this won't mean much to many since Menards isn't national (yet) but if you have one close and need some larger Fclamps this would be a good time to buy some. They also come in 24" and 36" sizes, though I'm not sure if the 36" would qualify for the 15% bag discount. If not Menard's will likely start the 11% off everything sales back up soon.

They sure look ready to do the job.  Maybe a diamond in the rough there.

And they love it when you walk through the store singing "I spent all my money, spent all my money, spent all my money at Menards"! 

Thanks Fred. Excellent review. Appreciate it.

Menards is a usual stop anytime I'm in "Boilermakerville". I hadn't thought about clamps on this sale. MasterForce house brand has some pretty good prices for good quality tools. 

Edited January 6, 20242 yr by Grandpadave52