Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 1995 - 58

ELBIN CLEVELAND, EDITOR

QUICK GRIP CLAMPS: Spring type clamps are not a new rool
idea. However, American Tool Companies, Inc. (makers of
Vise-Grip, Prosnip, and other rools) has developed a new version with genuine improvemenrs. The Quick Grip clamp uses
a coiled steel spring ro provide clamping pressure and a highimpact plastic grip for lightweight Strength. The Quick Grip is
available in three sizes: one-inch, two-inch, and three-inch.
Those nominal sizes are intended ro reRect the relative jaw
openings ofeach clamp. However, we discovered that the actual
maximum openings are 1 3/8", 2 3/8" and 3 1/4" respectively.
Quick Grip clamps are well made. The gently ridged
handles provide a comfortable hand grip and the rubber
pads on the jaws provide a non-marring grip on the object.
The springs in the clamps are quite powerful and require a
firm squeeze ro operate. When they are opened ro their
capaci ty, the jaws are nearly parallel; when fully closed, the
jaws meet at approximately a 30% angle. The resilient jaw
pads partly compensate for this variation. The jaw pads
also reduce slippage of the clamp on the object.
Spring clamps are only inrended for light duty, temporary
c1an1ping such as holding patterns or templates in place. They
do not have the power for most gluing or other clamping jobs.
With that in mind, the Quick Grip clamps worked very well.
They hold reliably and release easily. Our only suggestion for
improvemenr would be slightly longer handles on the diminutive 1" size. Since the 2" and 1" clamps are proportional
reductions of the 3" size, the handles also are smaller.
Consequenrly, there is barely room ro get tWO fingers on the
handle of the 1" c1an1p and that makes it a litde awbvard ro

squeeze open fully wid1 one hand. Od1erwise, the clamps are
an excellenr addition ro your collection of clamping rools.
Quick Grip clamps should be available at all hardware
srores and home cenrers or you can conract the company
directly. Prices range from £2.28 for a pair of one-inch
clamps ro 56.62 for a pair of three-inch c1an1ps.
American Tool Companies, Inc.
108 S. Pear Street
PO Box 337
DeWiu, TE 68341

402-683-2315
800-767-6897

THE TED HAMMER: Considering all the sizes, shapes, and
types of hammers available in a typical hardware srore, you
would think that the simple hammer had been modified and
specialized in every imaginable way. And then you see
another version or improvemenr like the Ted Hammer.
Ted Hammers are manufactured from high quality materials, hardened and polished steel heads and rop grade hickory
handles, bur d1ey have three special features which should
inrerest every carpenrer who appreciates fine rools. First, d1e
special triangular shope of the Striking face permits close nailing in corners which is not possible with standard round faced
hammers. Second, the head is affixed ro the handle wid1 a
patenred locking block cal'led the Wedge. The Wedge includes
a magnet for holding nails so d1at you can start them with one
hand while your od1er hand holds the material in place or
holds onto the ladder. Third, d1e head has a special indenrarion
for posirioning a block to give added leverage for pulling nails.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 1995