C-clamps are incredibly useful and strong too, capable of providing thousands of pounds of clamping force with little effort. However, they can be slow to use. The larger a clamp is, the wider its adjustment range, and the longer it can take to open or close the jaws.
Hart’s C-clamps with QuickTight technology address this problem. These clamps have screw release levers that allow you to quickly open and close the jaws without having to twist and twist and twist the handle. Just squeeze the levers and pull back on the screw to open the jaws wider. Closing the jaws is even easier – you don’t even have to squeeze the levers, just push the handle forward.
This mechanism isn’t strong enough to apply thousand of pounds of pressure, so you still have to turn the screw. Hart’s 90° rotating rubber-overmolded handle allows you to quickly tighten the jaws while inline with the screw, and when you really need the torque, you can pull back on the handle to flip it 90°.
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Hart makes three different sizes of QuickTight C-clamps: 4″ (HCC0401), 6″ (HCC0601), and 8″ (HCC0801). Each has a clamping pressure of 2500lbs, with throat depths of 3″, 3.5″, and 4″ respectively.
Price: $15.50 (4″ clamp), $17 (6″ clamp)
Buy Now (4″ version at Acme Tools)
Buy Now (6″ version at Acme Tools)
First Thoughts
Above is a quick video I made showing the features of the 4″ Hart C-clamp. I picked up one of the 4″ Hart C-clamps from Acme tools a few weeks ago and have had a few opportunities to use it so far.
I didn’t list the 8″ (HCC0801) C-clamp because I can only find the HCC0802, shown here. The 02 on the end would seem to imply that it is a newer version, but it isn’t listed on the Hart website, only the 01 version.
I did end up purchaing the HCC0802 C-clamp with the push button at an outlet store and I am disappointed that this version doesn’t allow the screw to be pushed forward without pressing the button. I find it more cumbersome to quickly tighten this clamp than the 4″ HCC0401 version I own with the two release levers.
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Here I’m using my 4″ Hart C-clamp to hold a stool while I was cleaning all the rust, scale, and dirt off the steel with wire wheel.
I found the quick release very handy because I was repositioning the stool quite a bit to reach all the different areas. If I was using a regular C-clamp it would have taken me much longer.
I have a little concern about using this clamp for welding and grinding, due to its rubber and plastic handle. I’m not necessarily worried about the heat traveling along the screw and melting the handle, but with hot metal sputtering and sparks flying, I’m wondering how long before I damage or even partially melt it.
John
I don’t like Harbor Freight but I do have a few things from there, namely their 6″ quick release C-clamps for quite a few years now great for welding projects. Very easy to use with a simple push button and only $7.99 each.
These Harts are most certainly beefier built from just looking at them but accomplish the same tasks as the HF versions. A head to head would be useful.
fred
I bought 3 Harts (4, 6 and 8 inch) early in 2015. I think they are OK. Mine are all the “01” versions.
For welding I prefer Bessey step-over J Clamps -but they don’t come cheap:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-J-Series-Step-Over-Clamp-Heavy-Duty-20-in-Capacity-7-in-Throat-Depth-Step-Over-Up-To-6-in-4800J-20/303254125
Al
I bought an 8″ around the same time you did. It was advertised as having 2000# clamping pressure which is just under my 12″ Bessey 2400# and just over my 12″ Bessey 1800#. I bought it just to see how it held up against my Besseys. This is far from being in the same category as Bessey, but it held up much better than I thought it would.
evadman
I use plastic with rubber overmold handled clamps when welding, and they tend to last a few MIG welding sessions before they are no longer useful due to the spatter and such. May be different for TIG.
These look great for lots of other uses though. The most popular size I use for automotive work is 5″ though. I use that size all the time for brake work. On occasion, the 4″ size. a 6″ would be very cumbersome to use.
Corey
I’ve had this style c clamp for many years, from Walmart and AutoZone, to some i think I grabbed from a Lowe’s or home Depot. Couldn’t tell you the names of any, though I assume Walmarts were die hard, and auto zone is duralast lol but I don’t know that I’ve ever broken one or had one fail. Probably could find 3 or 4 in the next 15 minutes if I deigned to go through all the tool boxes and work truck. Back to the point, I’m a fan, and I’ll probably grab this iteration by Hart at some point or another.
Yadda
Home Depot cleared these out a year ago. I grabbed a couple of the large ones.
Bob
I bought similar clamps at Home Depot with the husky brand on it last summer.
Nathan
6 inchers are great for doing brake calipers – if you don’t have a dedicated caliper tool. The push button – slack take up is very handy. HOwever I bought mine from Autozone years ago and it has no name on it.
Joe framer
As mentioned, Husky has had them for years, much better then HF and better then these Hart’s…less money too
Altan
I love Hart’s wood chisels which are made of one piece metal, this is a unique idea.