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Vertical Clamps save Fingers and Time

I bought two of these clamps after hearing about de-fingered folks who regretted not using them after their accidents. So after using them on a few mitering projects, I highly recommend them not only for the added safety they provide, but also for the precision they make possible with large, slippery or otherwise cumbersome materials. One clamp is probably enough though, but I wanted two because I’m too lazy to switch them back and forth when clamping is needed on alternating sides. Switching can easilly be done though with only one hand due to the way the shaft swivel-locks into the table, so it really is easy to add and remove. I found it especially useful for securing jigs to hold small pieces too small for the clamp to secure directly. The downside with any clamp is the added time it takes to secure it versus the speed of going free-hand. But for me the reduced safety risk and errors from slipping, especially with large cumbersome pieces, makes up for the hassle. And the effective design of this clamp considerably minimizes that hassle.The ergonomic handle design makes it easy to tighten quickly, and the grippy rubber permits easy tightening with little effort. The cylindrical handle shape minimizes interference with the rest of the saw. I love the quick release, which allows easy removal of peices after cutting. It also passes the toughness test, seemingly made of strong, solid materials. So why not 5 stars? One concern is the high profile of the clamp, which interferes with angled cuts where the saw is tilted side to side at steep angles. The price seemed high for such a simple product. And it’s shaft feels a little loose in the table until clamped tight, lacking that snug fit you might expect. But this didn’t detract from its functioning. Another improvement I’d recommend is to broaden the span of the clamp (or make it adjustable) to permit holding down pieces a little closer to the blade. But this is quibbling. Overall, it’s a solid product with some good design that I, risk-averse weekender that I am, would not saw without.

Update (2/6/2012): This item is currently on sale here for the lowest price I’ve seen.

The featured review for this product, DEWALT DW7082 Vertical Clamp, for the DW703, DW706, and DW708 Tools & Hardware, was written by .

The average rating for this item is 4.7 out of 5 stars, according to 3 reviews.