Customer Reviews

Wilton 60685 Multi-Grip Holding System

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was skeptical about this clamp/spreader until I got it home! It is amazingly versatile! If you dont understand what I mean click on the picture to see how this clamp works!

The odd dome looking piece on the under side of the clamp is used to attach it to the side of a bench. And when you tighten this down to the edge of the table make sure you don't over tighten. Most people will tighten it as much as possible but thanks to the rubberized grips it just isnt necessary. Give it a comfortable hand tighten and it holds VERY securley! One note the bench must be no larger than 2 1/4".

The clamp itself can be removed from the bench attachment. While seated in the bench attachment you can swivel the clamp 360 degrees. And it does have positive detents for secure locking. You should also receive 2 sets of pads to be used on the clamp. One is smooth and the other has a no slip tread. Wilton also includes some project plans for variouse tasks. There are a few good ideas in there so check it out.

The depth of the Clamp is 3inches from the bar to the top of the rubber pad. And the jaws open up to about 13 1/2 inches.

This seems like a good system so I bought one. It provides a swivel base and a quick-release bar clamp. Upon mounting on a table, it does seem to provide a very verstatile way to hold various objects. However, two problems soon become evident. First, the whole system has a lot of play in it, so it is not really designed for any activity that would exert more than moderate force (such as hack-sawing) on the object. Secondly, there is a defect in the design that when you clamp the system onto a table, the release on the bar clamp is practically touching the table, which makes it rather cumbersome and hard to swivel the clamp or tighten or loosen the clamp. Back to the drawing board.

Previously, I tried two different sears craftsman versions which kicked out the release button when I tightened the holding knob.

At the home improvement show this fall, I got to play with this unit at the Wilton booth. It had a metal looking piece which kept the release unit from self releasing and if you overtightened-the unit just clicked but held on solid. I was pleased to see this. I found another Wilton in a hardware store with non-metal looking pieces which was what the sears ones had in them but didn't bother to buy it.

I already owned one but had the need for another. I have not found anything in the market which offers the flexibility that this product does.

The Wilton Multi-Grip system is a very well-designed and versatile tool for gripping or pushing against materials -- whether for holding pieces or clamping them. I have found it very valuable in ways that other tools were not capable of and highly recommend it.

I find this a fine product for light work. It does double duty as a convenient wide-jawed clamp or spreader.

But whoever designed the hard plastic packaging should spend eternity in hell unwrapping these things. NO thought was given to the buyer's convenience. Even with sharp industrial shears, it is VERY difficult to remove from the packaging. I would not buy another for that reason alone. In fact, the one I received already had half the package cut away as if someone had given it up and returned it rather than bloody his fingers.