Pro tip: The $15 harbor freight clamp I avoided for 2 years is actually carrying my whole build now

I laughed at my buddy for buying that orange quick-release clamp when we were framing a media wall last month in Portland, but after 40+ glue-ups it's the only one that hasn't slipped on me. Anyone else have a tool they swore off until necessity forced their hand?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancyj1115d ago

Just keep a spare quick release in the tool bag for when the fancy stuff fails. Cheap clamps earn their keep on messy jobs where you'd cry if a $50 bar clamp got glued up.

jakejones11d ago

Used to be a brand snob with clamps but those cheap quick releases have saved me more times than I can count.

marywilson15d ago

Wait, isn't it always the stuff you judged the hardest that ends up saving your hide? Honestly I've noticed this pattern in way more than just tools. It's like when you avoid a certain brand of shoe for years cause everyone wears them, then one day you cave and realize they're actually comfortable for a reason. Same with that cheap plastic clamp or that weird gadget from the dollar store. We get so caught up in what looks good or what's trendy that we forget sometimes the ugly or cheap stuff works just fine. Ngl I've got a whole drawer of "I'll never use this" junk that's now my go-to for random fixes around the house.