Customer Reviews

Rockler 29190 Clamp-It Assembly Square Tool

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

These are made from rigid ( phenolic ) plastic so they provide support for clamping well. They are close to square (not perfectly square) and the surfaces are not very flat. For rough casework, that is not a problem. They help with clamping carcasses, despite their imperfections. It would be tough to make better clamping squares for less money, especially if you consider your time for labor.

If you need these to be perfectly square and flat, you can adjust them with two plywood faces (cut to size) and a little tape. One of mine was so close to perfect that I couldn't improve it much. The other three were out of square by over .005". The plywood faces and tape brought them into line in. The phenolic blocks provide strength while the plywood faces register square to the work. A dot of CA glue on each end holds the faces in place.

By the way, I did not buy these but received them as a gift. You can make perfectly useable and perfectly square clamping cauls from stock corner-braces, like those you see in home-centers for shelving. The heavy duty metal ones cost five bucks. They are every bit as square ( or un-square) as these these things and are just as easy to fix. Seeing as how you would have to square these up anyway, you can save some dough by making your own or modifying the less-expensive metal corner-braces. Depending on your budget, needs and disposition, that is another option. But these are not terrible for the dough.

The ones I bought directly from Rockler were not square! Why bother modifying them if you can make more accurate ones yourself for less? I suggest either using Swanson speed squares (metal) or buying metal assembly squares from Woodpeckers.

These are well made from rigid injection molded plastic. According to my Starrett Square the insides are dead on; but the outsides are between 1mm to 2mm out over 200mm. A .5% to 1% error isn't that big a deal but is inexcusable with injection molded plastic. Should be easy to fix with some judicious sanding. Both sides of the squares are flat across the narrow part.

BTW Rockler has these on sale for $5.99. 5/11/'10.

I have to say, the only real reason I bought this item was for its price. Now that I have it, I can't believe how useful it is. I seem to be using it all the time when I am glueing things up that need to be at 90 degrees. I can clamp it to the workpiece to support an item while tightening pocket hole screws, I can clamp it flat to a table to make a true 90 degree area to join up two pieces of wood. I have 4 of these and I have to say that I am really supprised how often I use them. Great buy.

Tool is a lot bigger/thicker than I expected.
Adjusting angles is not easy. Screw to adjust has to be almost completely removed to adjust.
Did what I needed it to do, make a 90 inside angle.
I have clamps that will hold 2 pieces together for an outside 270 degree angle, but didn't have something to do inside angles.

This was it.

I just recieved Rockler's Clamp it today. I purchased several of the large one and the mini ones. I used two different framing squares and found that the clamps were not square. One was off by almost 1/16 of an inch. These are probably good for general work, but fine woodworking requires accuracy to the utmost. Beware before you buy this item.

All the photos of this product show 2 clamps holding the pieces to the square. I was quite disappointed when I opened the package to find only the black square. The site didn't even mention that I might want to buy the clamps along with my purchase, which would have clued me in. I guess I'll have to use some of the clamps I have in the shop, or go back online and try to order them...

This is a very simple concept item and works as it is designed to do...

Has limited useses but is certainly a handy addition to all of the other squares normally found in a wood shop. Very sturdy. Accurate enough for cabinet construction. Could easily be touched up with a file to make it perfect.

I bought four of these clamping squares from the Rockler website because an e-mail that I received directly from them led me to their ad, which read ". . . with 5" Clamp." No clamps were sent with the squares. I called Rockler's 800 number and was told that I was wrong because the ad said that the clamps were "sold separately." At best, the ad was misleading. In fact, I believe, it was meant to deceive and I don't like being called a liar. Rockler needs to brush up on its writing skills and its customer service. I won't buy from Rockler again--even through Amazon. Oh yes, please notice that while Amazon's ad lists the squares at the same price as Rockler ($5.99), there is no misleading or false claim that a clamp is included.

I got a call from Rockler today. The representative apologized profusely and promised to send me the four clamps at no charge. I suggested that Rockler revise the ad on their webpage and was told by the representative that she would suggest just that. I have removed my 1-star rating and changed to 4 stars. I think this is fair under the circumstances. I have used the clamps already (on a workbench I'm building) and they seem to work fine. I'm satisfied with the both the clamps and the outcome and may actually continue to do business with Rockler.