Description
The Procat G-clamp set is a set of three mini G-clamps, one of each size, with openings of 25 mm, 45 mm and 70 mm. The clamp frames are made of forged steel, and the clamp is tightened by turning the T-handle at the end of the threaded spindle clockwise. The set is intended for holding small workpieces during gluing, soldering and drilling, and in woodworking and metalworking.
A G-clamp works by screw tightening. One end of the C-shaped frame has a fixed jaw and the other a threaded bush that the threaded spindle runs through. When the spindle is turned clockwise, the swivel pressure pad at its end moves towards the fixed jaw and clamps the workpiece between them. Turning it anticlockwise opens the clamp.
The three sizes cover workpieces of different thicknesses. The largest clamp has an opening of 70 mm and a throat depth of 35 mm, the middle size 45 mm and 25 mm, and the smallest 25 mm and 22 mm. Throat depth tells you how far in from the edge of the workpiece the clamp reaches, and the inch sizes 1″, 2″ and 3″ correspond to these three clamps.
The frame is painted red and carries a white PROCAT® print. On the workpiece end of the silver threaded spindle is an articulated mushroom-shaped pressure pad that swivels and adapts to the surface of the workpiece, and at the other end of the spindle is a sliding T-handle: the cross pin slides in the handle’s sleeve, so the handle can be turned with a short or a long lever arm.
Thanks to its small size, the mini G-clamp fits places where a bar clamp or a larger screw clamp will not, for example when clamping models, mouldings and frames. The three clamps in the set can be used at the same time at different points of the same joint.
Intended use and suitability:
The Procat G-clamp set is suitable for temporarily holding small workpieces during machining, gluing and assembly.
- Gluing: Wooden parts, mouldings and frame corners stay in place while the glue dries. To protect soft wood or a finished surface, place a protective block under the jaw and the pressure pad. For wider glue joints, a suitable choice is the BGS glue clamp 100 mm, metal frame.
- Soldering and metalwork: Small metal parts and sheet metal pieces stay in place during soldering, filing and grinding. Clamping leaves both hands free for the tool.
- Drilling and clamping to the workbench: The workpiece is clamped to the edge of the workbench so that it cannot spin with the drill. The throat depth of 22–35 mm determines how far from the edge of the bench the workpiece can be clamped.
- Jigs and guides: Stop battens, guides and templates are clamped to the workbench for sawing, milling and drilling. The small frame leaves room around the work area.
- Model making and repairs: Small parts that a larger clamp will not fit, and the glue joints of cracked parts, stay closed while the glue dries. For larger workpieces, a suitable choice is the Urko 4021-HA screw clamp 150 x 50 mm with swivel handle, and for corner joints the Vorel corner clamp set 4-piece.
Package contents:
- G-clamp 70 mm (3″): 1 pc, throat depth 35 mm.
- G-clamp 45 mm (2″): 1 pc, throat depth 25 mm.
- G-clamp 25 mm (1″): 1 pc, throat depth 22 mm.
Features:
- Forged steel frame: The frame is forged from steel, and the fixed jaw and the threaded bush of the spindle are part of the same frame.
- Three openings: 25, 45 and 70 mm, so the same set holds both thin and thicker workpieces.
- Throat depth 22–35 mm: Depending on the size, the clamp reaches 22, 25 or 35 mm in from the edge of the workpiece.
- Sliding T-handle: The cross pin slides in the sleeve, so you can choose the length of the lever arm to suit the space and turn the handle in tight spots.
- Swivel pressure pad: The mushroom-shaped pressure pad, articulated at the end of the spindle, swivels to follow the surface of the workpiece and presses it against the fixed jaw.
- Screw tightening: The clamp tightens when the spindle is turned clockwise and opens when it is turned anticlockwise. The threaded spindle adjusts the clamping pressure steplessly, and the thread holds the pressure in place.
- Painted frame: The red paint and white PROCAT® print make the clamps easy to pick out at the workstation.
Technical specifications:
| Size | Opening | Throat depth |
|---|---|---|
| 1″ | 25 mm | 22 mm |
| 2″ | 45 mm | 25 mm |
| 3″ | 70 mm | 35 mm |
- Product type: G-clamp (C-clamp), screw tightening
- Number of clamps: 3 pcs, one of each size
- Frame material: forged steel
- Frame finish: red paint, white PROCAT® print
- Tightening: threaded spindle, sliding T-handle; clockwise to tighten, anticlockwise to open
- Pressure pad: swivel (articulated), mushroom-shaped, at the end of the spindle
Procat G-clamp set instructions for use:
Clamping takes six steps. Check the clamp before use.
- Choosing the size: Choose a clamp whose opening is larger than the combined thickness of the workpieces and protective blocks, and whose throat depth reaches the clamping point.
- Opening: Turn the spindle anticlockwise with the T-handle until the workpiece fits between the pressure pad and the fixed jaw.
- Positioning: Place the workpiece between the fixed jaw and the pressure pad. With soft wood and finished surfaces, use a protective block on both sides so that the surface is not marked.
- Tightening: Tighten by hand by turning the T-handle clockwise until the workpiece stays in place. The swivel pressure pad settles against the surface of the workpiece. Slide the cross pin to one side when you need a longer lever arm. Do not extend the handle with a pipe or tighten it with pliers.
- Gluing: Check the position of the workpieces after tightening, and wipe off any glue that squeezes out before it hardens on the thread or the pressure pad.
- Release: Support the workpiece and turn the spindle anticlockwise with the T-handle until the clamp opens.
Maintenance: Clean glue, chips and dust off the thread. Add a drop of light oil to the thread and store the clamps in a dry place.
Warnings:
- Risk of pinching: Keep your fingers out from between the pressure pad and the fixed jaw while tightening.
- Not for lifting: Do not use the clamp for lifting or suspending loads, or as an attachment point for lifting gear.
- No extensions: Do not extend the T-handle with a pipe. Excessive force can bend the spindle or damage the thread or the curve of the frame.
- Welding spatter: Do not use the clamp in the welding spatter zone without protection. Spatter on the thread stops the spindle from moving and damages the paint finish.
- Inspection: Check the thread, spindle and frame before use. A damaged thread, bent spindle or cracked frame is a reason to take the clamp out of service.
- Workpiece: Without a protective block, the pressure pad can leave a mark on soft wood and finished surfaces.
- Children: Not a toy. Keep out of the reach of children.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ):
What does the Procat G-clamp set include? The set contains three G-clamps: 25 mm opening and 22 mm throat depth, 45 mm opening and 25 mm throat depth, and 70 mm opening and 35 mm throat depth.
What does throat depth mean on a G-clamp? Throat depth is the distance from the centre line of the spindle to the inner edge of the frame. It tells you how far in from the edge of the workpiece or table the clamp reaches.
What is the difference between a G-clamp and a C-clamp? They are the same type of product: the frame is shaped like the letter G or C, and the clamp is tightened with a threaded spindle. Both are screw clamps.
Is a mini G-clamp suitable for gluing wood? It is suitable for gluing small wooden parts, mouldings and frames. On soft wood, use a protective block so that the pressure pad and jaw do not leave marks.
How does the sliding T-handle work? The cross pin of the handle slides in the sleeve. Moving the pin to one end lengthens the lever arm, and in the centre position the handle can be spun quickly.
Which way do you tighten a G-clamp? The clamp tightens when the T-handle is turned clockwise and opens when it is turned anticlockwise. The swivel pressure pad adjusts to the surface of the workpiece when that surface is not fully parallel to the jaw.
When is a bar clamp a better choice than a G-clamp? When the workpiece is thicker than 70 mm or the clamping point is more than 35 mm from the edge. The opening of a bar clamp can be adjusted along the bar, whereas the opening of a G-clamp is fixed.
Recycling instructions:
The Procat G-clamp set is made of steel, and clamps that are no longer used are taken to metal recycling.
Sort the shrink film of the retail packaging into plastic recycling, and the colour label according to local sorting instructions.
