Buyer Beware!

Wow, remember when Stanley was a trusted name?

-- Joe

Thanks for the heads up on the stanleys. I had these on a shopping list, now I will look else where.

-- if the hand is not working it is not a pure hand

I haven’t had a problem with the ones that I have from Big Lots, but then again, one of them didn’t even have the rubber pads on them. Could be bad clamps all together, or could just be the ones at your store. There’s really no way to tell for sure.

Joe, I remember when a LOT of big names were trusted names.

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

Ric, sad but so true.

-- Joe

I too remember. Oh well, who is John Galt?

-- tim hill www.newcalshop.com

It’s a shame that a very trusted name in tools such as Stanley has gone down the toilet like they have. I have some Stanley items that I inherited over 20 years ago that are still in great shape, but the stuff they produce now, well no thanks.

-- Greg S.E. Ga. www.thesawdustfactory.net

Guys I just want to verify that you aren’t just now noticing that Stanley hasn’t made tough tools for many years. it will be interesting to see how it goes as they try to make a comeback.

-- Wipe the blood stains from your blade before coming in.--

I have found that big lots is truely a get what you pay for store. Some stuff is good other stuff is junk.

-- www.carvingandturningsbyrick.com, Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI

BigLots also recently had Columbian brand clamps and those are pretty nice. I got a bunch and have been very happy with them. If you see any, give them a try.

There are a few tools you can get a big lots that you pretty much can’t screw up. In my experience these include my rubber mallet and a pair of C-clamps.

A few of the tools I inherited from my grandfather are Stanley, and are good quality. Of course, none of them have moving parts (hammer, screwdrivers, and a couple of chisels). I haven’t bought anything else by them in 20 years, however.

-- Chris

Same thing happened when I bought a no-name pistol grip bar clamp. $3 vs $16 for Irwin. One way I found to test it, it might be hard to pull them apart, but loosen real quick when you clamp it on some stationary object and jiggle it (rotate it along its clamping axis). Completely useless, go back to store afterwards and ALL those cheap types cannot clamp. Bought Irwins and those actually work as intended.

At least 8 of your 10 Stanley’s worked. On the other hand, I’ve bought cheap F-Clamps before and they’re ok, only the threads are a bit loose.

As for your clamp pads, maybe PLASTI DIP will do the trick

-- Ed

i noticed the same thing as you with the clamp pads. I just wiped it down with mineral spirits really well and it seemed to get rid of the marks on my walnut. Maybe that will work for you too. as for the clamps, not holding, try scuffing the bars with some 150 grit sandpaper. Hopefully these ideas help.

I purchased their 24 inch and 60 inch flat opening clamp. The ones that look like the bessey’s with a wide flat opening that closes the entire depth of the clamp. They’ve been wonderful. They came from big lots for 10 and 15 dollars. I’ve been looking at their trigger fat max clamps for about $10 there too. Maybe I’ll buy a couple and see what develops. I know that purchasing good clamps is a good idea but I’d rather purchase them at a lower price if possible. IF they do end up working well then I can up my clamp anti. Never enough of them. I do have a set of Jet bar clamps but find them no better than less expensive ones of that type. I hate doing glue jobs in pieces that lasts from one day to the next. I did purchase three trigger clamps awhile back really cheap from a salvage store. They lasted just long enough to let me know that I want some like them that will last. They are very handy.

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://gagnerwebsite.com/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html

Big lots is an interesting place… sometimes you find stuff that is really good, and you found out about the other times. I actually have a no name air compressor I bought there almost 10 years ago, it works like new… but a paint scraper I bought there last week (coincedentially, it a Stanley product) fell apart after I scraped ONCE! so go figure.

-- Adventure? Heh! Excitement? Heh! A Woodworker craves not these things!