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I had one of these applied to something I was working on, and it failed (shattered) sending parts at high velocity. No injuries, but it could injure an eye or ruin soft wood.

Has anybody else experienced this?

Harbor Freight sells them. I had one fall apart under a light load, though it didn't explode. I threw them all away.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Yep, I've had one explode the first time I used it. It was a cheap pack of 6 for £1 though, so can't complain! I've also melted one that I stupidly used on my bending machine.
Very useful clamps though, when they work.

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"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
Pablo Picasso

https://www.facebook.com/FenskeGuitars

I've had those self destruct before. Threw them out. Lowes used to sell great versions that had metal ratchets. Then, they decided their customers preferred cheap junk.

Yup. Usually cause the screw in the hinge has worked loose. Check every once in a while.

I bought 2 bags of these http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=69724&cat=2,42194,67373 over the holidays. just to replace those plastic ones for clamping kerfed linings. I find the 3" and 4" plastic clamps break easier than the small ones.

Bob

They make great clips for open potato chip bags.
I had the same exploding experience.

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

I have a bunch of them clipped to the over head steel support beam in my shop, and probably haven't used them in ten years. Looks like a good time to get rid of them, as the plastic gets brittle with time.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

I bought a couple bags full from Lowes ~ 5 years ago and had a few break in the middle of the jaw leg, close to the pivot. The ones that survived though have been fine and in constant use. If I threw them out, I'd miss them. Light weight, easy to use one handed, very good for light clamping jobs. They handle non-parallel clamping jobs okay up to point. I think confining them to clamping things not too thick helps their longevity.

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Craig Bumgarner

Bumgarner Guitar Blog

For all you folks wanting to "get rid" of these clamps you can send them to me. I have been using them for years in 4 different sizes and never had one fail. I use them all the time in the context of a pro woodworking shop which is to say they are not babied or used lightly. I have noticed a difference in spring strength with some and use them accordingly.
L.

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

I've got a couple of dozen or so of those, or similar, and although a few of them have lost a jaw (possibly due to abuse/mishandling) I use them fairly regularly and like them.
I've had about 100 smaller ones (2 sizes, added rubber bands now) I have used for clamping linings in place since I started 6 years ago.
Also I have several 4" and 6".
Certainly none have self destructed explosively.
But thanks for the heads up, routine eye protection may well be in order - can't hurt.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I have about 20 of these, not very old. I checked them all today and the screw was backed out a minimum of 3 complete turns. I tightened them up and applied a generous drop of ca on the threads at the nut. Seems secure now, but I'll keep an eye on them.

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Brad Hall
Mystic Dawg Guitars