Why Are We Limited To Just C-Clamps?

Alphabet Clamps

For decades, nay, centuries, we have been limited to the C-clamp, one of the most versatile, useful and perhaps most recognized tool. But why does C get all the glory? What of the other 25 letters?

People of my generation, my father’s generation, and my grandfather’s generations have clamped with one letter, and one letter only. But why C? And why now?

Here at Clamp-Co we thought we needed a change. So we set out to develop an entire line of Alphabet Clamps.

[Robb Godshaw] is the mastermind behind this revolution in clamping technology. Designed to German standards (DIN 1451), and made in America, the Alphabet Clamp set provides unrivaled clamping functionality for work in the industry, at the shop, or even at home. Perhaps the most functional previously unheard-of clamp is the U-Clamp, providing a deep throat for those extra hard to reach parts.

Our personal favorites though have to be the I, L and T clamps which provide unmatched usability and style.

59 thoughts on “Why Are We Limited To Just C-Clamps?

    1. I think the author was sarcastic, but some of the other posts on hackaday, these days… probably trying to get the article quota done, so they head to instructables.com and showcased something stupid for giggles.

  1. Oh, my.

    I realize this is more art than engineering (the fact that he keeps his welding shield on is a dead giveaway) and I thought it was funny, but in one world the C (or G?) clamp was king-boatbuilding.

    About twenty years ago I did an eight-week course in composite boatbuilding from a professional boatbuilder. His advice-whenever you could afford it-buy as MANY clamps as you could afford. He had several hundred, and was still running short on his many projects.

    They didn’t need to be good ones-but the 4-8 inch range seemed optimal. Extra point-oil the threads frequently-not due to rust, but the epoxy could ruin one if it stuck to the threads.

    1. Earlier this year I bought a two pairs of Cresent Connect System clamps that have fixtures on the top of the front jaw that enable them to join together at right angles. I wasn’t looking for them they were just in the bargain bin at my local hardware store. These things are so darn fantastic I ended up buying another pair and now I reach for these first before a standard G-clamp.

    1. We had an old twisted up kant-twist clamp by the roller table in the tool and die shop I worked in. We still used it, but it was all mangled to hell, and back. I have to admit for what we used it for it still worked. I guess the one we had was a big flimsy one though. I mean it must have opened up to about a foot wide. All we ever used it for was clamping the ends of bar stock together on the roller table, for the power feed band saw. So when the saw grabbed the bunch they’d all stay together. We cut some pretty big, and heavy bars of steel too. But they were all on a roller table, so it wasn’t like we were asking that much of the clamp. It did it too, even though it was all twisted up like a pretzel. Kant-twist my ass!

  2. I think the welder’s mask could be used in a lot of public speaking situations. Politicians might find it useful to pull down over their face when meeting with their constituents. We could come up with a version that when enough members of the audience had heard enough the shield would slowly lower muffling the speaker.
    As for the clamps, font choice is important. Sans serif fonts will not be taken as seriously as Times New Roman would be.

  3. After excess amounts of congnitation on these clamps I will have to admit rather complete consternation. This confabulation therefore, per theory, is hacking us rather than hardware. I’m not sure if I have objection or not as the subject matter is seems no less than a psych hack and ourselves the material in use, but no proof of concept is available to test other than this one example.

    1. I have a number of different kinds of clamps myself. But sometimes for me a C clamp is still the best tool for the job. Although like you, C clamps are not my most often used kind of clamp. For me that would be one handed ratcheting clamps. They’re not great clamps, but they sure are convenient. When I’m doing anything there is often a lot to be said for the easiest way out too. But if a ratcheting clamp can’t quite cut it then I have to fall back on more difficult clamps to get the pressure that I need. Sometimes that means using C clamps too.

  4. an A clamp could be kind of useful, although you could accomplish the same goal by making a C clamp with 2 threaded bits instead of just the one, unless the A shape were more suitable for the application, say.. for through-hole mounting purposes

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