Modifying Irwin Quick Clamps

[@davidpiemme2276]

My idea was to remove the sliding end of the clamp instead of the fixed end, then the bar just slips through the hole in the work bench with the fixed end of the clamp underneath. When you put the sliding part back on the bar (on the top side of the bench) you'll have the same effect as yours but without all the work and you still have a perfectly usable clamp afterwards. (Sorry, I didn't mean to burst your bubble!)

[@Badgerworkshop]

You are clearly a very clever man.

[@davidpiemme2276]

@@Badgerworkshop Great minds think alike 🤣

[@rafezetter8003]

@@davidpiemme2276and some minds don't understand english humour :) - Sure you can do that David, but then you've got to keep faffing under the bench, that'll soon get old fast.

[@IsaKocoglu]

*Rafe Zetter* you rude person! You forgot to add, "Sorry to burst your bubble" in your comment 😝 Or weren't you? 😳

[@NMranchhand]

Rafe Zetter Heck, he started by complaining about paying 12 quid for a clamp vice 6; I would have thought that he would have been glad to reach under the bench top to gain a bench clamp for free while not destroying one of his Irwins. Oh well, perhaps after living in East Anglia once upon a time I don’t understand English humor any more than another yank, after all, I’ve been married for 35 years and still don’t understand women. Still, clever shop work, mate!

[@lostintime8651]

I bought some of these types of clamps from harbor freight. The ends always break. They're very cheap. But now I can modify them like you did. I've been holding on to them cuz I knew eventually I would find somebody who had a solution to make use of these broken clamps. Thank you

[@Badgerworkshop]

Sounds a good use for them then

[@edsasse1460]

buy the Pittsburgh clamps (red) ones they are well built

[@eCitizen1]

I like your idea very much. I made a clamp vise on the side of my workbench, and now I will be modifying a few for mid table clamps as you have show. Thanks for the great idea.

[@danmoreton1788]

Good video. After coffee it's off to the shop to make a few!

[@azza1793]

I like these kind of videos instead of someone showing off their new Festool tools 👍

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you. I wish I had a Festool collection.

[@jeffstanley4593]

My Festool collection consists of a track saw and a jigsaw. They are really good but I don't know if they are better than other doing the same function. I will say that the track saw leaves an edge that needs no further finishing. It is smooth without tear out. The jigsaw, same. They both utilize guides that greatly reduce or eliminate tear out.

[@ajeys7370]

awesome idea , I can use this idea to bend the composite deck boards , very well done thanks

[@MemoryCollective]

Very clever (and prompts several other applications). You have a fresh sense of humor! Many thanks for posting this idea.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you very much

[@johnhusband924]

Top man Badger I have just made 4 workbench clamps and they great. For anyone following the video it is spot on but would make the following comments: - you need a sturdy vice - I used a Marksman multi blow torch and struggled to heat the bar to bend it or maybe it just takes longer to heat up than I would have expected.

[@IrishChippy]

Good idea Those Irwin clamps are great. Although they are light duty, they have many uses. Bought some Dakota heavy duty 24" from Rutlands, and the bar rusts. The release trigger is plastic and one is broken already

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thats a shame as I was looking at the Dakota parallel clamps

[@IrishChippy]

I think Dakota is just a name Rutlands made up to make them sound American :)

[@Badgerworkshop]

sounds about right

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

Good Idea ! Everybody has these cheap Irwin clamps lying around. I switched to Jorgenson on this style "kwik clamps" a long while back, because of their removable ends and ability to link 2 clamps together. Now I can use these old cheap Irwin's for something besides hanging on the wall!

[@john-paulsilke893]

A bit of quick a cheap awesomeness. I love it. I have about 30 of this pigs and love them although I don’t use them in the shop only the field.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@bltefft]

Thanks for a great idea. I'll be modifying a few of mine.

[@ΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΑΠΙΤΣΙΟΥ]

That s the beginning to weld more !!! Cool !!!!!!!!

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@BrothersMake]

Simple and effective! Nicely done Mr. Badger

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you chaps

[@TSMATTYC17]

What a good idea Matt!!

[@sophiescyclingandwalkingch4294]

Love the dead pan humour Matt 😆

[@awantamta]

Please don't give up the woodworking ! I really liked that modification.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Dont worry i am not going to stop.

[@JohnColgan.]

Nifty idea, thanks for sharing

[@enabledworkshop]

very nicely done!

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you very much

[@tomlangsdale2562]

Hi Matt. Very clever. Thanks Tom.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you Tom

[@michaelevans1658]

Great idea Matt .

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thanks Michael

[@jonienglish3231]

Good Video Badger

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@SgtBooker44]

Outstanding hack, I have 4-6 of these that I rarely use anymore. Great way to repurpose them.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@donfillenworth1721]

Great tip! Easy solution and cheap alternative. I’m subscribing to see more! Thanks for sharing.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you very much Don

[@Thesidingsworkshop]

Good job mate worked well

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@FixingFurniture]

That's a cool hack for quick-grip clamps. I use these clamps all the time and love them because they're padded and easy to use. I'm conflicted now if I want to sacrifice one for a bench dog!?! Nice video and I've subscribed and clicked on the bell icon. Well done!

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you. Lots of people have said to get cheap Aldi clamps for this

[@censusgary]

To make sure the bar doesn’t get hot enough to melt the plastic handle, put a metal clamp or two, to act as a heat sink, in between the handle and the place you’re heating with the torch.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Good tip

[@animationcreations42]

That's a lot simpler than I thought it would be! I was too cheap to buy some track saw clamps so I 3d printed an attachment for some of my mini clamps and it works a treat, especially since the clamps are only £1 each!

[@Badgerworkshop]

That is a bargain then

[@raymondmalone9721]

Great idea on budget👍

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Nice job 👍

[@hansdegroot8549]

Great idea. Thanks for sharing. Tomorrow we have a special offer at LIDL for cheap power fix clamps. I already wanted to buy some again because I don't have enough of them and the quality is OK for me. But seeing this, I need to buy some extra. Your video came just in time!

[@Badgerworkshop]

The Lidl clamps sound perfect for this

[@hansdegroot8549]

@@Badgerworkshop 2 pcs 30 cm clamps for 8€, or 2 pcs 10 cm + 2 pcs 15 cm also for 8 €. In 15 minutes I'll be on my way there. btw i could not find your blow torch among the tools+ you use. In which chapter can I find it. I also have a blow torch, never used it till now, and I'd like to compare the specifications.

[@Badgerworkshop]

I have just added it to the metal work section

[@hansdegroot8549]

@@Badgerworkshop Thanks. I just found it there. I miss the specifications about the heat it can produces but then i found out it depends on the gas being used. I'm curious if my burner/gas will work. It's much cheaper. I initially bought it for burning wood.

[@Badgerworkshop]

It should work but it will just take longer

[@tomtom786]

Great idea Matt, think I’ll give this a go, cheers

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@Ravenspath]

This is brilliant and well timed. I've been looking at various clamps like the Axeminster ones you use or some of the dovetail clamps. And I happen to have a few small Irwin clamp like that. Guess I know what I am doing next weekend. Thanks for making such great content.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Glad to be of help

[@gordonchapman222]

Nice little vidio. I am always debating with myself the vast difference in price for similar products such as clamps does not always reflect the difference in quality. If I do take a chance on whatever really cheap woodworking tool and it's not up to scratch I'm sure I can always find another use for it, as you have done. Thanks for sharing.

[@Badgerworkshop]

I have a lot of cheap clamps and they always come in handy

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Good idea Matt 👍

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@TeamProsperity]

Great idea, well done!

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@Stennifer]

That's really handy. Thanks for sharing!

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thanks Niki

[@AndyCallaway]

Great tip. BTW on some of those clamps the back end is removable, so you can reverse them. I thought the Irwins were like that but I guess not.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thanks Andy

[@creepycrawlything]

The clamps sold by Lidl (£7 for two 300mm clamps)have both of the ends are removable (one with a wee peg as the Irwin; and one with a bolt and wing-nut). These clamps exert good force, and are robust in use. Irwin clamps survive better when dropped.

[@paulthomas3841]

Thanks for the idea

[@alanmullock381]

Brilliant idea Matt,my cheap Aldi versions will get the same treatment!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Badgerworkshop]

cheap clamps woiuld be even better.

[@mjjayful]

Brilliant idea and great informative video, I’m going to try that myself.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@Slugsie1]

Nice tip. Just so you know Aldi and Lidl often sell similar clamps to the Irwin but for a fraction of the cost. Around £5 for a pair.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thanks. I will look out for them

[@robmills4709]

Great idea. Thank you.

[@Stllno]

I have combination clamp / spreaders and just release / remove the ‘fixed’ end, insert the rod through the dog hole and refit the fixed end of the clamp. Fortunately the fixed pin on the rod slides through the dog hole. Whammo! 😎

[@BischBaschBosch]

Again Matt, nice one! I'm doing this.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you. You will have to order more clamps

[@markdmaker3173]

Great idea, nice video

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you Mark

[@HobbyPrints]

I tried this with some wooden ones but they are now on fire, have I done something wrong or can I use it clamp things still. Pls reply fast the fire is spre...

[@Badgerworkshop]

This is only my first day being a full time blacksmith so im not sure. Try turning it off and back on again

[@Mr_Judge_Benny_Hinn]

Put some Osmo oil on and go for the shou sugi ban look...

[@AndyCallaway]

Cleanup aisle three...

[@robinaveling5956]

Were they made from Apple wood,? Perhaps it happened because you used a non Apple blowtorch?

[@ricfootball]

Haha, what are you like lads

[@sdh1705]

Cracking idea.....Thanks for sharing........

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thaks Stuart

[@marcomolo]

Nice hack Matt!

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@FredMcIntyre]

Nice work! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thanks Fred

[@paulorchard7960]

Those “ split pins” you mentioned are called roll pins, you could re-use them, just drive them in and centre punch each side to widen them a little! But, as you discovered the heat transfer is not a problem with 300 mm clamps!

[@Badgerworkshop]

thanks

[@malcolmalexander5246]

Great idea.

[@TheWoodBasher]

Nice work matt and a great mod!

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you very much

[@jeffstanley4593]

We have a store in the US known as Harbor Freight aka Horror Freight. They are known for their crappy tools but sometimes one or two slip through the cracks and are actually good. They sell some clamps cheaper than the Irwins that are modified to work like yours and there are vids on YT showing that. You did and do have a good idea if the HF clamps are not available.

[@Badgerworkshop]

A lot of suggestions also to use Aldi clamps

[@unionse7en]

tip: an adjustable wrench is nice for grabbing whilst bending..no need to squeeze for grip.

[@ShelleyRaskin]

Cheers for this, just most of the way making a bench top like this (yay for forstner bits), and was stressing about the cost of the clamps.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Glad to be of help

[@jeffstanley4593]

Research "holdfasts", they perform the same function and might be obtained cheaper. They are far stronger than his mod. Don't know where you are but I got my holdfasts here: www.toolsforworkingwood.com/store/item/MS-HOLDFAST.XX/Holdfasts_by_Gramercy_ToolsThey are excellent build and work in 3/4 holes", perhaps slightly larger but only slightly as they are 3/4 inch.

[@rdocking]

Love it

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thanks Richard

[@moreteavicarfromengland8299]

Smart! Cheers Matt

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@johnkelley9877]

Great technique! Thanks for sharing this.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you John

[@drsbrettsavage]

Brilliant

[@eduarddeda3219]

Great idea Thank you

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@Strangerwithoutaname]

Thanks for this idea.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thanks for watching

[@mikedeman5351]

That is GENIUS !!!

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thanks Mike

[@redwoodbear7195]

Good stuff man, thanks!

[@sheepdog819]

Going to try this with Harbor Freight clamps. Serious cheap skate. Lol

[@karlpopewoodcraft]

Definitely making a couple of these. Cheers for the tip. :)

[@Badgerworkshop]

My pleasure

[@normanboyes4983]

Nice one Matt - mind you if I had some IRWIN clamps I would save them as they are not cheap - whereas LIDL ones are 'good enough' and cheap as chips. Great idea.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@Roger.Whittingtonuk9441]

and with the lidl or cheaper ones you can take the end of with a thumb screw and turn the into pushers so you take the end off push the main spar through the bench and refit the end no wreaking of the clamp and can be removed and used normally win win been doing it for years

[@alanmuddypaws3865]

Brilliant! I like cheap solutions, and I thought the Axminster clamps were a little expensive, even if they are well made

[@Badgerworkshop]

They are pricy but good. These are much cheaper

[@happydee6950]

The vise acts as a heat sink between the heated work area and the plastic clamp body. A wet rag hanging on the bar would work too or add extra insurance.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Good idea

[@NotJustSawdust]

That's a clever solution on the cheap side! (the way we like it)

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@jonreeves3993]

I wish I kept all my broken Irwin clamps!

[@steved8038]

Thank you good cost saving idea

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thanks Steve

[@johne7100]

Looks like you made a couple of track-saw clamps there too. Nifty.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Maybe. I have not seen if they would fit

[@stuartandrews4344]

Just use medium or heavy duty quick clamps, end clamp is removable,as it's reversible.

[@noskills9577]

Another modification I want to do with these (or actually the smaller clamps) is to copy the festool ones that come in the clamping elements set, I think a secondary cover with a peg - screwed to the side of the original cover will do the trick.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Look forward to seeing what you do

[@29ginad]

.

[@mr.b.4048]

Did this with Lidl/ Powerfix clamps 2 x clamps for £4.99 worth a punt I thought - they don't take well to being heated or bent more than once 😩. Anyway binned the first one, and now have a good clamp that works well for the money.

[@Badgerworkshop]

I will keep a eye out for them next time

[@mr.b.4048]

After the practice run with the first clamp (and only managing to salvage about 150 mm of the original metal which I'll keep for now), I set the open end of the clamp in my vice for 50mm then put a tight twist in the next

[@jan-reiniervoute6701]

A good and damp rag where you don't want heat, as long as there is water it won't heat up above 100° C.

[@stuffoflardohfortheloveof]

Actually I’ve been thinking about this and I’m now wondering if the lower bar needs to be twisted at all because if it’s simply bent then, surely, it will still clamp underneath anyway as it doesn’t really need to be directly ‘below’ the upper portion to clamp anything down onto the table?

[@Badgerworkshop]

Im sure that would work.

[@Loxleyslarder]

Great vid love simple fixes!

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you Martin

[@raysmith1992]

Good idea, did you know that Irwin actually make an adapter for their new range of clamps that allows you to do that 😀👍

[@Badgerworkshop]

I did not but i am sure this is cheaper

[@Josh_Luijsterburg]

Really a smartpants😊

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thanks Josh

[@studfinderball]

Use the existing hole at the head of the clamp, use machine screw, washers, and lock nut with a metal cross piece to create a toggle clamp-like end. Doesn't work any better than what is described but much less effort.

[@geemail369]

🏆

[@afrinaktar97]

Nice 🙋👏👏👏💖

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@desviz]

I love British Dead pan Humor...well said!

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@androidgameplays4every13]

Why did you bent it? what benefit this bring you?

[@stephenmason5682]

Presumably the clamp would still work without the twist?

[@Badgerworkshop]

It would

[@LonghornWorkshop]

That is one brilliant idea mate and it works. Love your blow torch, I need to get one of those.

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you. Its a great torch

[@KevinBower-gy5be]

Make sure you use MAP gas - butane/propane won't get the metal hot enough.

[@SMee67]

"So now, I'm just going to give up woodworking and become a blacksmith" 😂😂bwahahahahaha😂😂 that cracked me up.👌 Bloody good idea, mate. 👍 You running 20mm holes?

[@Badgerworkshop]

Yes 20mm

[@johnarizona3820]

TY! ^5!

[@THRobinson]

How thick is your bench top (deep the holes)?

[@DiscoverRajivVlogs]

Cool idea, I thought you was about to ruin the clamp😂😂😂

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you

[@ponddigger501]

hi did you build a timber chassie on one of yours shepherds hut ,.jack

[@Badgerworkshop]

Hello Jack. Yes I did for one of them. There is a picture of it on my Instagram

[@ponddigger501]

thanks for reply.did you do a video of it .jack

[@Badgerworkshop]

jack s no sorry

[@DylansDIYWorkshop]

I'm building a ridiculous workbench right now with 1/8 inch thick top. I'm afraid this isn't going to work for me

[@marklloyd3536]

Clever!

[@carpenterone3]

Genius

[@Badgerworkshop]

Thank you very much

[@dazzhan9826]

Good job ! Those specialized clamps are way to expensive.

[@Badgerworkshop]

They are good but expensive

[@jamesturner7728]

You could shorten that bend even less I’ve had these for years

[@stuffoflardohfortheloveof]

Brill idea.....could I not simply bend the bar though? Ie did it really need to be heated up? Ta for posting

[@Badgerworkshop]

You could try

[@The_Original_Brad_Miller]

@StuffOfLard Ohfortheloveof ... I would think they would have a tendency to just snap off, not to mention it would take a lot more muscle to twist them.

[@eclipsetools9778]

how much is it?

[@Mr_Judge_Benny_Hinn]

would this work with pipe clamps?

[@Badgerworkshop]

if you have big enough holes