Jiffy clamps crapping out....

[weaponsofmassdesign]

Has anyone had a problem with their jiffy clamps failing? I seem to be getting inconsistent registration and one of them seems loose (not how it's attached to the table but still wiggles. I've had them for about eight years. Any ideas?

[strawberryluna]

I've seen them get tired, yep. If they are the softer metal type (aluminum, not steel) they can get slightly bent out of shape, and I've seen the clamp-head itself kind of round out so that the actual clamping contact area is one small point, rather than two flat-to-flat (clamp to screen frame) planes making good overall contact.

They're cheap enough, I'd just buy another set. Way less of a headache.

[weaponsofmassdesign]

Thanks Luna. Any recommendations on brand? I'm pretty sure the ones I bought before were the speedball ones.

[edwardo_machino]

Perhaps consider clamping some wood 2x3s or something to the work surface for your frame to fall into (must be tight), then it doesn't matter how loose the clamps are.

[edwardo_machino]

I should clarify: it only doesn't matter if there is no front-to-back play in the clamps and the slop is only side-to-side.

[weaponsofmassdesign]

It was all over the place. I happened to have a 40% off coupon at Dick Blick so I was able to pick new ones for like $14. They are the same ones that I had, but those things lasted for 8 years, which in my book is not so bad.

[ImJustRickG]

Dude, EIGHT YEARS. Get thee to Artist and Craftsman supply with $24 in hand.

That's like, $3 a year for clamps.

25¢ a month.

.008¢ a day.

[gozo]

Lol 008$ per day? would you know how much per minute on a 40 hour week? Just trying to keep my costs down.

[BigmanJames]

Dont be cheap and allow your work to suffer!

Buy new clamps. It should be a no brainer if you
take any pride in your work.

[weaponsofmassdesign]

Umm.. I think a few of you missed the part where I said I bought new clamps.

Cheers.
D