4-Way Pressure Clamping System Reviews

3.5 Rating 11 Reviews

About Woodcraft:

Woodcraft Supply, LLC is one of the nation's oldest and largest suppliers of quality woodworking tools and supplies. You'll find Woodcraft stores in more than 70 major metropolitan areas across the U.S.; and Woodcraft annually distributes 1.5 million catalogs featuring more than 10,000 items to all 50 states and 117 foreign countries. The Woodcraft catalog is a standard among woodworkers as the most complete offering of first rate products for woodworking available anywhere. Woodcraft also publishes six issues of Woodcraft Magazine annually.

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Phone:

800-535-4486

Location:

1177 Rosemar Rd,
Parkersburg
West Virginia
26105

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JH From Spartanburg

Verified Reviewer

“Great product! However, as some reviewers have noted, they can be a little tricky to use. Here's a link to a video that shows how I solved two problems, 1. Setup, and 2. reducing the number of moving parts. https://youtu.be/hx1eGZOuqUA Spoiler alert! The video shows that I marked off rulers down each side of the cauls (the wooden parts) to make it easier to position the clamps. Then I made cradles to put the clamps in and used 1x2 spacers to hold them open while I inserted my panel pieces. As you will see, this makes it extremely easy to use.”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

PJ From Everett

Verified Reviewer

“These clamp sets are not inexpensive to complete. Oak is recommended for the cauls, and oak's expensive these days. Assembly takes quite a few hours if you purchase multiple clamp sets. Lastly, I found this clamp "system" almost impossible to manipulate single-handed. Attaching the upper caul and the clamping screw and linkage is very difficult for one person, particularly if the glue-up is wide. Multiple back-and-forths from one side to another to align the cauls, adjust the linkage, screw/unscrew the clamp to accommodate the workpiece, and finally apply clamping pressure, all the while making sure the glued up pieces don't slip out of place, and the glue hasn't setup. Rinse and repeat for multiple clamps for a long glue-up. Sigh. Traditional cauls with F-clamps is significantly faster, and arguably works just as well to align panel glue-ups.”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

ER From Moundsville

Verified Reviewer

“I love these clamps, however they need some stronger parts. The cross member that applies the pressure bends when you tighten it. Would love to see this improvement.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

HB From BERRY

Verified Reviewer

“I have had this clamp for a few years. It is clumsy (for me) to set up when you're gluing something small and heavy, like a thick cutting board. The parts slip apart while I'm trying to get the other end secured and I end up spending a lot more time trying to get this thing set up than I would just taking a couple of boards and a couple of F clamps and clamping both ends that way. For me it was a waste of money, for others, it may be wonderful. Once you get it set up on whatever you're clamping, it does work okay, it's just too hard to set up, in my opinion.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

TT From Good Hope

Verified Reviewer

“I have been using them for years! First you need oak lumber for the beams. Don't use pine, your screws won't hold in a soft wood. Again like any clamping system you need to have plenty of clamps. Two people can handle a glue up just fine, line your board up evenly all the way and clamp them down. By the way put wax paper between the wood and clamp to avoid more clean up. Some people place the blocks for locking in the clamps in improper locations and need to move them if you can't utilize the full range of the clamp. Love them just bought two more.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

Mk From Omaha

Verified Reviewer

“I have had these sitting in their original shipping box for over a year due to I was so PO'ed over shipping cost. I am getting ready to make a table, following the directions and making sure you have a perfectly straight board and the dimensions they say to cut, you need a 3x3 oak board and in my case 4 of them, $$$. Once together I tried them out, first the boards must be over 3/4" thick, then for every 12" increment you need new boards, $$$$$$$$$. Do they clamp down as advertised? Oh NO. Bottom line buy a good Bessey and be done.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“It is fairly clumsy to use, the screw on the crank is not long enough to use the entire set of detentes, I regret buying them.”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

ED From Midlothian

Verified Reviewer

“Glue-ups were always nerve-wracking for me because there were so many clamps to place and tighten and pieces could move out of place and not lay perfectly flat, resulting in a lot of leveling out to do afterwards. This system, however, makes glue-ups easy! I've read reviews here about them being fiddly and tough to position but the key is to place small wood blocks in the ends of the spring-loaded metal pieces to keep the clamps open enough for you to simply slide the pieces in, one by one. Once the cutting board (for example) is in place, simply remove the blocks and tighten the clamps. Could not be easier. Whoever invented these is a genius! Thanks!”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago