A reader recently wrote in with a great question, asking about Kant-Twist clamps. I have used these clamps before, although not very extensively, and certain benefits have become apparent.
Jeff wrote:
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I recently saw a video where they mentioned the kant twist clamp. Have you run across these before? Do you know what advantages/disadvantages they have compared to regular old c-clamps?
Looks like it is primarily used for welding, but are there other common use cases?
I have one or two Kant-Twist clamps around here somewhere, but I don’t use them often. What I did was order one or two (I can only find one at the moment) in the size of C-clamp I use often – model 407 deep-jaw with 2-7/16″ max opening and 700 pound load capacity. From what I have seen, these clamps don’t replace C-clamps, but they can be very useful certain times.
Compared to C-clamps, Kant-Twist clamps are better suited for repetitive and specialty applications. They’re ideal for welding, but can be used for other types of work as well. I don’t weld, and have mainly used my Kant-Twist clamps for more basic workholding applications.
The primary difference between Kant-Twist clamps and C-clamps is in how they are adjusted and closed. C-clamps have a vertical screw that is parallel to the direction of clamping, Kant-Twist clamps have their screw in a perpendicular direction.
With C-clamps, there is sometimes a rotary motion, even if the pad is free to pivot and rotate. This motion can sometimes translate to the workpiece, causing it to move around as a clamp is being tightened. With Kant-Twist clamps, the closing motion is parallel. Kant-Twist clamps also have self-aligning rotating jaws with different profiles, such as flat and v-grooved.
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Kant-Twist clamps are also said to be lighter and smaller than comparably sized C-clamps.
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As mentioned, this is a clamp style I have used, but not a lot. If you use Kant-Twist clamps regularly, have you found other advantages (or disadvantages) that I didn’t touch upon?
Chad
I just saw these clamps on Youtube in Adam Savages workshop and decided to order a pair. I will use them in at my welding station.
Kyle
They are very common in machine/fab shops for all kinds of set-up and work holding work. Basically as you mentioned they are kinematically better because they don’t twist when being tightened up. In addition, they are generally made with better materials and finishes so the jaws have nicer flatter surfaces (no rough casting).
The jaws themselves are mounted on pins and so one can rotate the jaws so that the face next to the part being clamped could be flat or it could have a v-groove or cross pattern to help clamp onto round or non-flat work. Also, the crank handle is usually very short to help one avoid over-tightening on delicate work.
Basically they are just a bit more high quality and versetile than your basic c-clamp, and although they come in large sizes the average user (non-welder machinist) would probably benefit most from buying smaller sized Kant-Twist clamps and using them for medium to small jobs.
Dale Chayes
I was first exposed to Kant-Twist clamps (http://clampmfg.com/kant-twist/) about 40 years ago in our machine shop – not that they had a web site back then – have used them regularly since. They are simply not in the same league as even the best c-clamps. They are very secure, and exceptionally easy to operate completely with one hand.
Most importantly, their parallel jaw action significantly reduces the forces that tend to cause c-clamps to shift the work pieces relative to each other.
They are well worth the price differential vs. even the best c-clamps.
fred
We probably had 60 or more of these in different sizes in our fabrication shop. Copper plating on the jaws and screws help prevent weld spatter from sticking.
Some of the old timers called these Saxton clamps – probably because of the original manufacturing company
mike
Have used these for years and use them nearly everyday,these are the best in machine shop environments.
They have so many models now some nice heavy duty ones with stainless frames and insane load rating down to the normal ones.
Kent
They are so much nicer than C Clamps. They don’t put any torsion on the material being clamped, so your work doesn’t move when doing your welding prep.
For clamping a 2×4 to a bench so you can cut it, your clamp won’t matter. For precision work, there’s nothing like them.
KL
x4 on machining. These don’t eat up a ton of Z space if clamping together several small pcs to be drilled in a mill or drill press vise. I get the smallest ones available for this reason
Bill Clay
I have a couple of older ones marked “Enco”. I guess they re-branded them at one time. They still sell them under the Kant Twist name.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=721&PMCTLG=00
Jerry
If you ever tried clamping a rod to a flat piece of metal for welding, using a standard c clamp, only to have the rod continually try to ‘roll’ out of position, you will understand the idea behind the Kant twist.
Koko the Talking Ape
It is worth mentioning that while the Kant-Twist jaw pads won’t rotate as you tighten the jaws, the pads do move laterally a little, especially when you are close the maximum jaw opening. The reason is that the jaw doesn’t move in a straight line, but in a shallow arc. The lateral movement is tiny, but it is tremendously powerful.
George Brackett
I use them in my bladesmithing shop to hold handle scales againist the tang of my knives, and in my leather studio when clamping leather pieces together while gluing. It keeps the leather from shifting, and also keeps my work clean…