Kant Twist alternative?

[VicParticipant @vic]

Instead of dragging up an old thread I thought I’d start a new one. I sometimes have use for small clamps in tight areas and I’d like a couple of the smaller Kant Twist clamps but they are expensive to get hold of over here. I have used tool makers clamps a couple of times but they’re not so convenient. Is there anything else out there, either bought or home made?

[VicParticipant @vic]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Try this post by mechman48. Just make them whatever size you need.

Edited By JasonB on 24/11/2021 18:47:24

[VicParticipant @vic]

Ta, I’ll have a look.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I’ve just followed that link, and realised that I knew nothing of Papacad

**LINK** : https://www.papacad.com

… very interesting site

MichaelG.

[Iain DownsParticipant @iaindowns78295]

MSCDirect have them at what I consider a reasonable price. Though not as cheap as making your own. Blondihacks on youtube has a post where she makes them (I think).

Iain

[Simon Williams 3Participant @simonwilliams3]

Just put two on my Santa list. MSC Direct was the cheapest I found (one needs to make sure Santa knows where to look), though Amazon also offer a very limited range but at more spendy prices.

If anyone finds a better UK source do please share.

Rgds to all

Simon

[Gordon TarlingParticipant @gordontarling37126]

I 3D printed a pair last year – the design prints and works well, but they're really only suitable for carpentry-type projects as the material used is just a touch too flexible for reliably clamping engineering type projects made of metal.

G.

[VicParticipant @vic]

I’m surprised someone hasn’t copied these as the originals are a bit over priced for what they are, at least here in the UK.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Well I just indulged myself with a couple of the smallest ones…

My little Novamill has a cutaway "ledge" at the front of the table and I often want to clamp flat things down on it for profiling – generally glued or screwed down on a piece of composite as a spoil board. I have used toolmaker's clamps for this but these are brilliant, much easier to fit and no adjustment between two screws for best clamping. I wasn't aware of these until seeing this thread. Usually there's also a couple of conventional clamps on the back as well using the tee slots.

[VicParticipant @vic]

If you’re try to make me jealous John, you’ve succeeded! What size are they and how much? MSC?

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Vic

Used to be a UK made version marketed as "Crab Clamp" for a while. Around year 2000 I think. Weren't on the market very long so either the price wasn't right or Kant-Twist got all huffy over design patent / copyright.

As I recall matters they were a bit more robust than Kant-Twist with larger pivots and thicker plates.

Finished in a very bright "now try and loose me" green.

Clive

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Yes, MSC, cost ~34 including VAT and carriage. A bit pricy but nicely made and just the job. I could do with some larger ones but the price gets bigger quicker!

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

For those who might wish to try making an alternative … Two patents by John B Blake may be of interest:

**LINK**

https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DUS4619447A

**LINK**

https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DUS3736629A

MichaelG.

.

Edit: __ and here [it would appear] is the patent upon which the Kant was based:

https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DUS4276692A

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 26/11/2021 17:56:54

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

the crab clamps are great – I bought 4 for woodworking & they served well though I suspect it was over 20 years ago as I did a fair amount when I moved mid 80s.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Interestingly a search for Crab Clamps comes up with devices very similar to the John B Blake patents found by Michael. Seems to have become the generic name for such devices with a direct acting screw to drive the crab pincher like jaw motion. Simper than the bell crank style used by Kant-Twist and the old UK made Crab Clamp but the effective throat depth is reduced. Kant-Twist design also puts the screw drive outside the clamp region for better access.

I wonder which design gives best clamping effect and best stability.

On reflection I suspect Frances IoM has better recolection than I as to when the Uk made Crab Clamps were marketed.

Clive

Edited By Clive Foster on 26/11/2021 18:48:59

[VicParticipant @vic]

Update: although somewhat expensive I decided to buy a 2” clamp to satisfy my curiosity of how effective they are.
Somewhat ironically the “Kant Twist” clamp supplied by MSC was twisted on arrival! I kid you not. Email with picture of offending article sent to MSC and the manufacturers. Hopefully an untwisted Kant Twist clamp will arrive next week.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Vic on 04/12/2021 11:05:22:

[…]

Email with picture of offending article sent to MSC and the manufacturers. Hopefully an untwisted Kant Twist clamp will arrive next week.

.

Any chance you could share that picture here, Vic ?

MichaelG.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Here you go. The screw thread binds noticeably every turn. I could probably knock it back into shape with a hide hammer but given they aren’t exactly cheap I’m not inclined to do that.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Vic on 04/12/2021 11:57:22:

Here you go. The screw thread binds noticeably every turn. I could probably knock it back into shape with a hide hammer but given they aren’t exactly cheap I’m not inclined to do that.

.

Thanks, Vic … I am not much impressed by their Quality Assurance

It certainly shouldn’t be your problem !

MichaelG.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Vic

Urgh. Very disappointing quality there.

Even without the twist it doesn't fundamentally look as well made as one would expect for the money. Especially given the reputation from being the original.

Viewed from a DIY perspective I'd be drawing something rather more beefed up as the long arms make the device obviously vulnerable to twist if loading is unbalanced. One reason why I never got round to making some was that there looked to be various devils in the details between something that "sorta works OK I guess" and "works really well". My needs were never so great as to justify a development project. In my experience such efforts are always third time is the charm, fourth and more are just right.

As I recall it the one time I saw Crab Clamps they seemed overall more robust in concept and execution.

Clive

[VicParticipant @vic]

To be clear, this is as supplied, I haven’t attempted to use it. Hard to know if it came out of the factory like that or was damaged in transit. I’m guessing the former but who knows.

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Most previously decent brand of tools have reduced their quality so they can compete price wise.

Tony

[mark costello 1Participant @markcostello1]

There is a person offering a kit for some small kant twist clamps, side plates are laser cut from thinner plate. I hesitate to post an off the board link as I do not want to offend anyone. It comes with plans to finish the clamps. Would be suitable for smaller projects. I do not have one here with Me to measure but can get it if anyone interested. You have to supply the v blocks and screws. He includes side plates and screws to fasten them. This is from across the pond. PM for details.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Tony Pratt 1 on 04/12/2021 17:16:09:

Most previously decent brand of tools have reduced their quality so they can compete price wise.

.

It’s a delicate balance, but [based upon what Vic has shown] Kant appears to have missed the appropriate point on the Value for Money curve by rather a long way.

MichaelG.

[Author]

Posts