One and Done!

I bought the Workbench Accessory set from them, and use them rather abusively one day with no issue. The next day I went to lightly tap it in place and it broke in exactly the same spot.

I called Rockler Customer service and they sent me a pair of holdfasts that are a darker blue color, and feel quite a big heftier (I have not put them on the scale to make sure).

I agree. Rockler should be embarassed that their name is associated with this junk.

-- Manufacturer of fine quality sawdust since 1984. Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop. Gladly accepting shop build donations!

made in china at the harborfreight factory most likely.
Thanks for the warning.

-- Router è ancora il mio nome.

This is not only inexcusably poor quality, but potentially dangerous. Rockler should recall this product.

That has all the look of a brittle fracture, and that says “cast” to me. I thought these were supposed to be forged. Next set you buy, try to make sure they are.

-- My broker promised me he would treat my money as if it were his own. Trouble is, he did.

Holdfasts should be made of steel that has been tempered, it should be springy, those pictures show a metal that was hardened but they did not anneal it afterwards.
The cristalline structure is coarse and therefore prone to cracking.
Also the break point is consistent with the exact point where you would expect the maximum stress for that particular application.

By the way that is a quality control issue, they painted the holdfast, it is important as the annealing process consists of heating the piece at a certain temperature dependent on the steel alloy that was used and let it cool to room temp over a pre-set time. You would paint the pieces after this process not before…

The tempering of the steel is taking the piece again to a set temperature (dependent on the alloy used) and rapidly cooling it by quenching it in water or oil….

Cast iron will never work for a hold fast, it is not springy at all due to the cristalline structure of it..

This probably explains why their workbench accessory set is discounted 50% right now. 2 of these holdfasts, some dogs, and a rubber mat for $12. I was going to order it but after seeing this not so sure anymore. Thank you for saving me the headache.

-- Optimists are usually disappointed. Pessimists are either right or pleasantly surprised. I tend to be a disappointed pessimist.

I had exactly the same experience with these hold down clamps. They are worthless. I bought mine about 3 years ago. If Rockler is still selling them, they should be ashamed of themselves.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

Hello, I saw this and thought cheap casting but also me with a un-heat shop could this be a problem in waiting? Thanks for the heads up.

-- Chris, Summerland BC

Usually Rocckler sells some good stuff..I have bought frequently from them some good products and some bad… but these are garbage. But people can get them now on sale for 50% off to help rockler pay for their bad merchandise clearance.
I would call them and ask for a refund. Usually they are pretty good about repalcements or refunds…most of the time.

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

dam to think i was gonna buy these too thanks for the review! sorry you had to go through the poor quality tools to post, but i guess it helps us.

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com

I quite buying anything from Rockler. If I want crap I go to harbor freight.

-- Amateure wood worker,I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson

Same thing happened to me. Bought the Gramercy ones from “Tools for working wood” and they are amazing. However Rockler was very good about the refund.

I am sad to see that I am not alone, but glad some of you won’t suffer the same mistake I did. I am going to try to get a replacement of refund from Rockler on Monday.

-- GSY from N. Idaho

Another vote for the Gramercy ones – they’re excellent!

-- To do is to be

Another one for Gramercy… they are really not that much more expensive, but nothing on the market can come close to their quality – seriously.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.