You can never have too many clamps.
Having watched way too many episodes of New Yankee Workshop, I have often heard Norm smile at the camera as he tightens up his 437th clamp and say "You really can never have too many clamps."
Well, he was right.
During the construction of Amy's cabinets, I learned that the hard way. When I started building the cabinets I had two Bessey K-Body clamps, four "Quick-Grip" clamps and a bunch of el-cheapo Chiwanistani bar clamps I bought 4-for-$10 at Big Lots. They got me through some small projects, but as I was gluing up the first cabinet, I realized that my clamp collection just wasn't going to cut it.
Fast forward to October 17th...the date of the of the great Woodcraft Jorgensen Cabinet Master clamp sale. 24", 36" and 48" clamps at about 55% off regular price...I saw clamp nirvana...
It was actually two sales in extremely limited quantities...the first started at midnight on their website. At about 55% off retail price, they didn't last long and their server was pounded. I tried to get my order in to no avail. So I headed to my local store the next morning, hoping to load up. I waited in line with about twenty other clamp hunters all waiting for the same score I was after. Luckily, they had enough on hand for everyone who had waited (I'm sure there would have been a riot if they did not!) and I made out with about $450 worth of clamps for just a few bucks over $200.
Now, I know this is still a rather meager clamp collection, and I actually used all but one clamp when clamping up the last three cabinets, but a guy has to start somewhere. And at about $40 a shot for one clamp at regular price, I think I'll be taking my time.
Now its time to give serious consideration to building a real clamp rack.
Posted by Rob at October 28, 2003 8:01 PM