GRAFLEX Clamp Comparison=> Tell me what you think

[Tetmatek]

Here is a few comparison photos of what I can make and the real deal. The real one is on top. I am sure that you would have known that right off:confused

Let me know if they would be trash, good or better than what is already out there.

 

[Aluke123]

I see two things, but it's probably just because of the lighting.

It looks to me like the long horizontal slot is a bit too far down. Also, the lip that holds the bubble strip in (I'm a saber guy :lol ) seems just a tad too large.

 

[scarf man]

Without sidebars and a lever what's the point?
I mean I'd buy one if it were complete, if only to have a better alternative to Parks.

 

[Shingouki28]

I'd buy one depending on price Making side bars and a lever myself shouldn't be too hard.

 

[Sumatra]

The one thing I see is that the engraving looks a bit rough. It may be the lighting, but I've seen that on another clamp replica. The real Graflex has smooth text. I'm not sure if it was stamped in, but that's what the real ones look like to me. Yours look like it was engraved by repeatedly punching it with a sharp point. The font itself looks good though.

The horizontal lines also look like they're a bit too close to the two rectangular holes.

Will you be making the sidebars and lever? I agree with Scarf Man, without them they're probably wouldn't be many interested.

All-in-all it looks really good.

 

[GrenadeKing]

The real Graflex has smooth text. I'm not sure if it was stamped in, but that's what the real ones look like to me.

I guarantee that it was. The whole clamp was probably formed on a punch press through progressive stages.

I honestly wonder how hard (and costly) it would be to set up a stamp of sorts, and to manually press it (with a screw press or something) into the metal before it's further shaped. If one could pull that off, they'd have a real leg up on the competition methinks.

Still, without being an expert I think the one posted looks pretty darn good. I'd buy it it that means anything. :lol

 

[Sumatra]

Parks' clamps have very nice text. I'm guessing his are stamped, but he's also mass producing them.

 

[SaberFreak]

It looks to me like the long horizontal slot is a bit too far down. Also, the lip that holds the bubble strip in (I'm a saber guy :lol ) seems just a tad too large.

I think both the issues you mentioned are a result of the angle and lighting. Peronally I think they look ok. Though only Tetmatek can confirm that.

I'd buy one depending on price Making side bars and a lever myself shouldn't be too hard.

If you have access to a machine shop, then yeah they're not hard to make.

For the rest of us who don't, even the sidebar can be a nightmare to make.

I've seen sidebars made of solid steel rod, which is ok but not esthetically identical to the real thing; plus they add a lot more weight to the clamp.

I tried bending them out of aluminum sheet but the center collapsed slightly when I tighten the lever over them. Steel sheets are impossible to bend due to the small size, and would need to use a punch and die setup

I have yet to come across a good lever that didn't come off a production line.

 

[defstartrooper]

I'd be in for a few if the engraving was tidier and they came with clamps and sidebars.

 

[Tetmatek]

OK; here are some pics of the dies used to make it. It will give you a better reference to the spacing for the letters. My real clamp fits into these dies as well.


Unbent with stamp

Punch for the lock tabs








these are what I have for side bars

 

[glim999]

Dude, I think you're gonna make a lot of money :lol

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Yours look awesome, I remember your older post about them a while back.

I meant to remember your name because I need a Graflex clamp without sidebars or lever because I have a 'Graflex activation box' milled from Alu but the clamp part is inaccurate.

Parks are stamped flat, and then rolled.

Please let me know if you plan on selling one, just the clamp part.

 

[Anakin Starkiller]

I think that your clamps look great, but if you sell them without a lever, you will probably have considerably less buisness then you will if you sell them with a lever.

If you can sell the clamps with sidebars and levers, you will have a pretty thriving trade.

-best

Dan

 

[Tetmatek]

I have sent a couple of emails to possible sources for the lever. Let's see if I can get any help.:confused

 

[parfaitelumiere]

Hello,

What's new about these wonderful clamps?

 

[acolyte]

Tetamek, any way you could share how you got those precision cuts for the tabs in the clamp? I saw a pic you posted of a punch, is it custom made, or is it a standard size?

 

[acolyte]

If anyone happens across this thread I thought I ought to give an update on these clamps. I've recently acquired all of the clamp making pieces you see above from Tetmatek. I plan on continuing on this project, but I still need to come up with a system for manufacturing the steel side bars, the bolt, the square washer, and the lever. Once this is done I plan on selling these.

 

[Sym-Cha]

Hi there,

Might I also suggest making some clamps without the G R A F L E X text,
but with the lines for those people who would like to have these.
Start an interest thread (INT) as soon as you have everything ready to
go and you're allowed access to the junkyard.

MTFBWY,

-Chaim

 

[Mah-Al Thorn]

Hi there,

Might I also suggest making some clamps without the G R A F L E X text,
but with the lines for those people who would like to have these.
Start an interest thread (INT) as soon as you have everything ready to
go and you're allowed access to the junkyard.

MTFBWY,

-Chaim

I second that. I would buy one (or more) without the "G R A F L E X" in a heartbeat.

 

[Son of Skywalker]

Also it would be great to have the pieces sold individually (i.e. side bar, square washer, lever...). I have clamps that are missing just the one side bar or the square washer.