Irwin 6" clamps £6, £12 or £20. Spot the difference?

[epsilonGreedy]

I have discovered the utility value of bar clamps in recent weeks while fitting fascias, so I am going to buy a few more.

 

The two Eurbauers I have been using came bundled with track saw and are budget models I assume. So off the Screwfix for a few extra clamps and I am confused that Irwin offer three models of a 6" clamp with a 3x price range. Apart from the larger jaws on the £20 model what else justifies the price difference?

 

£6

https://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-quick-grip-mini-bar-clamp-6/29139

 

£12

https://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-quick-grip-bar-clamp-spreader-6/48687 

 

£20

https://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-quick-grip-xp-bar-clamp-6/99973#product_additional_details_container

 

 

[Moonshine]

The £6 one is a clamp only and the £12 is also a spreader, which you flip one of the jaws round. The £6 one has a fixed pin in it that doesn't allow the jaw to be flipped.

 

I guess the £20 one is just a more robust version of the £6 one.

[saveasteading]

38 minutes ago, Moonshine said:

which you flip one of the jaws round.

Or both jaws?

I bought some cheap ones at Aldi (or Lidl), and they are ok as clamps but a right fiddle as pushers., and awkward to adapt.

 

[markc]

Cheap one does not have swivel jaws and they are very small and weak, £12 ones are much better. Larger one is a completely different animal.

I quite like the £12 ones when kitchen fitting etc.

[epsilonGreedy]

44 minutes ago, Moonshine said:

The £6 one is a clamp only and the £12 is also a spreader, which you flip one of the jaws round. The £6 one has a fixed pin in it that doesn't allow the jaw to be flipped.

 

 

Oh so these things can be used in spreader mode. I cannot imagine when that need would arise given my limited DIY plans post house build completion. I do intend to make many internal Victorian style window shutters after moving into the new build as these are hideously expensive when custom made.

[markc]

I have around 30 clamps from 6in to 48 inch and havent used one for spreading yet.

 

[epsilonGreedy]

1 minute ago, markc said:

I have around 30 clamps from 6in to 48 inch and havent used one for spreading yet.

 

 

After posting I was thinking could a pair be used with one clamping and the other spreading in opposition to hold something aligned against a single anchor point?

[markc]

11 minutes ago, epsilonGreedy said:

 

After posting I was thinking could a pair be used with one clamping and the other spreading in opposition to hold something aligned against a single anchor point?

Yes, but the 6inch ones are overall length so only clamp around 3in between the jaws