Popular Woodworking 2005-12 № 152, страница 84
Holdfasts that Really Work Holdfasts are something of an obsession of mine. They're an almost-vanished tool that does an amazing job of quickly securing your work with just a mallet tap. Sadly, the only ones that really work these days are those made by blacksmiths. All the manufactured ones we've tested are poor substitutes. Until now. The masterminds at Tools for Working Wood have patented a process for making a holdfast that works extraordinarily well for an equally extraordinary price: about $30 for a pair. We were allowed to test a pre-production version of this tool and were very impressed when we compared it to the other dozen or so variants in our shop. This new one from Tools for Working Wood - sold under its Gramercy Tools line - has a bit of a high-tech look, but it works as well (and sometimes better) than the old-school versions. It works well in thick benchtops (which is always a challenge) and in holes 3/4" and ^/W' SPECIFICATIONS Gramercy Tools Holdfast Street price: $29.95/pr., $16.95/ea. Material: steel Height/Reach: 11V476V2" Performance: ••••• Price range: $ Tools for Working Wood: 800-426-4613 or toolsforworkingwood.com in diameter. Buy a pair. It will change your workholding for the better - instantly. — Christopher Schwarz For more information, circle #182 on Free Information Card. The VersaClamp Offers Quick Vise-like Clamping Sometimes the vise on your bench is not where the work is. For work occasions away from your bench (or on a utility bench) there is the VersaClamp. This fairly inexpensive tool has two mounting brackets that screw to whatever work surface you've got. Then the clamp is slipped into place and the cam handle is rotated into the closed position. A stated 400 lbs. of pressure holds your work in place for planing, sanding, scraping, screwing - you name it. The clamp can be rotated to a horizontal or angled position for the most convenient use. But the name of the tool is Versa Clamp - and it's versatile because the clamp can be removed from the brackets and used as a freehand clamp for basic clamping operations up to a 20" width. The soft clamping pads are removable and replaceable, and all the metal parts are chemically coated to prevent rust. This is a handy tool for the occasional SPECIFICATIONS TS Tool Company VersaClamp Street price: $34.95 Performance: ••••O Price range: $$ TS Tool Co.: 812-933-5421 or tstoolco.com woodworker or hobbyist. Because the brackets allow the clamp to be removed and used elsewhere, there is more play than we'd normally prefer in a vise-type application. Because of its affordable price, the VersaClamp is a reasonable alternative to pricey woodworking vises so it certainly will be a welcome addition to craft and job-site applications. — DT For more information, circle # 183 on Free Information Card. GREAT NECK MULTI-TOOL This tool has "gift" written all over it. As part of its complete line of "Heritage Tools," Great Neck has introduced a line of hand tools that brings back the look of wood, but still offers the convenience of today's multi-tools. The new line includes screwdrivers, chisels, a utility knife, a torpedo level and the clever 14-in-1 hammer multi-tool pictured above. This multi-tool includes a hammer, a nail claw, two slotted screwdrivers, a Phillips screwdriver, linesman pliers, regular pliers, a serrated blade, a razor knife, wire cutters, a wire stripper, a can opener, a key holder and a file. This tool is a great addition to your shop or the tool drawer in the kitchen, and I want one for the glove compartment of my car. The 14-in-1 tool is packaged with a 4-in-1 screwdriver for only $24.99; a brass-accented version is sold separately in a cherry display box for $39.99. For more information on Great Neck tools and the Heritage Tool line, visit its web site at greatnecksaw.com/heritage. — DT TOOL RATINGS Performance is rated on a one-to-five scale. You won't see a low rating ("one or two") because we don't publicize inferior tools. "Five" indicates the leader in the category. Five dollar signs indicates highest price in the category. Three indicates an average price. If you have tool questions, call me at 513531-2690 ext. 1255, or e-mail me at david. thiel@fwpubs.com. Or visit our web site at popularwoodworking.com to sign up for our free e-mail newsletter. —David Thiel, senior editor popularwoodworking.com 33 |
