Northern Tool Welding Clamps

Just got a pair of these NT corner clamps and thought I would give a quick first look review. They are on promotion for $39 for their holiday sale, if you get the email promos. They are cast iron and weigh just over 20 pounds a piece. The machining is fair, squareness seems good enough for what it's for. I have not swept them in with an indicator, so for now I'll just say they check pretty square. They seem rugged although the fit and finish is nothing to write home about. A little deburring with a file will help a lot. For the price, I'm totally happy. There are so many times where I have to hold things square to weld them, that I expect to get a lot of use out of them. The copper plating on the acme screws is thin to none, so be sure to spray them with anti-spatter for stick or MIG use. There is no push button quick release for the clamping screw, but at this price it would just be something to break. The acme threads look nice and well formed, and fit the nuts well. Just in case anyone is looking for something tougher than the typical aluminum cheapos, but can't justify spending over $150 for the Stronghand version.

Attachment 11368

Was anyone able to snag one of the Jackson Balder helmets that Amazon had lightning deals on? I saw the WH70 BH3 was marked down from $363 to $169 and with the $100 rebate the net cost would be $69. I was too late to bag that on Tuesday, but yesterday they put up the WH40 SmarTIGer for $96 with a $50 rebate for a net of $46. They sold out in a minute or two, but I was in time to grab one. From what I've heard the Balder lens is very much like the blue tint that many of the gold plated fixed shades have. I always liked those for aluminum welding as the color works well for that. I'll have to see and post a comparison to the Jackson W60 Truesight, that is the best ADF I have seen so far.

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Originally Posted by Rambozo

Was anyone able to snag one of the Jackson Balder helmets that Amazon had lightning deals on? I saw the WH70 BH3 was marked down from $363 to $169 and with the $100 rebate the net cost would be $69.

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Man, I gotta get the memo on lightning deals!

Man, I would have killed for the Jackson deal, ever at $169. Looking at a Viking now. But $300 plus stops me every time.

Link or Code?

I can only find them at $49.00 :(

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Originally Posted by Blaster

Link or Code?

I can only find them at $49.00 :(

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It was a link from one of their barrage of holiday emails. I can't find it and might have deleted it. I too only see $49 if I go to the sight, so perhaps they sold out of the special price. They seem to be putting stuff on sale day by day lately, so it might very well come back as Xmas approaches. If you sign up for email notices, they well send a bunch, and you will probably find it again. I was just about to get off the mailing list, too, as I wasn't buying much from them anymore. I guess they knew just when to send me something I wanted. ;)

One thing I will probably do later, is add the holes for standoff bolts for holding angle iron, like the Stronghand versions have.

http://www.stronghandtools.com/stron...2axis_app3.jpg

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Originally Posted by Rambozo

One thing I will probably do later, is add the holes for standoff bolts for holding angle iron, like the Stronghand versions have.

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I keep a bucket with Square Tubing cut-offs for clamping Angle like that, less complicated and I think applies more even pressure ;)

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Originally Posted by Blaster

I keep a bucket with Square Tubing cut-offs for clamping Angle like that, less complicated and I think applies more even pressure ;)

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True, I do the same to hold angle for miters in my chop saw, but finding the scrap I need, when I need it, can be an issue. Those little drops come in handy for all kinds of things.

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Originally Posted by Rambozo

Was anyone able to snag one of the Jackson Balder helmets that Amazon had lightning deals on? I saw the WH70 BH3 was marked down from $363 to $169 and with the $100 rebate the net cost would be $69. I was too late to bag that on Tuesday, but yesterday they put up the WH40 SmarTIGer for $96 with a $50 rebate for a net of $46. They sold out in a minute or two, but I was in time to grab one. From what I've heard the Balder lens is very much like the blue tint that many of the gold plated fixed shades have. I always liked those for aluminum welding as the color works well for that. I'll have to see and post a comparison to the Jackson W60 Truesight, that is the best ADF I have seen so far.

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Amazon's price on the w70 helmet is now $232, and the $100 rebate runs to the end of the year- I was thinking of getting myself a late Christmas present. Rambozo, did you get the SmartTiger, and how do you like it?

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Originally Posted by DaveO

Amazon's price on the w70 helmet is now $232, and the $100 rebate runs to the end of the year- I was thinking of getting myself a late Christmas present. Rambozo, did you get the SmartTiger, and how do you like it?

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I got it, but have not really had a chance to use it. I plan a full review, I even went and got a box of crayons so I could take matching pics to go with Jakeru's great helmet reviews. But it might have to go back for exchange, as there might be something wrong with the lens. The darkness seems to change a lot with the vertical viewing angle. Also one thing I saw looking at an LCD monitor through it, not only is the front safety cover a special shape, it also seems to have some kind of polarizing. Maybe part of the Balder technology? I should look up the patents and see. I'll try to at least try it out, later today, and let you know.

Rambozo,
What you are describing is not typically considered a defect. The LcD technology creates a venetian blind effect and viewing angles change the amount of perceived light. That's a typical issue with viewing areas that are too large.

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Originally Posted by performance

Rambozo,
What you are describing is not typically considered a defect. The LcD technology creates a venetian blind effect and viewing angles change the amount of perceived light. That's a typical issue with viewing areas that are too large.

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I understand that, but this seems rather extreme, also the viewing area on this one is not large (2" x 4"). While wearing it and looking at a light source, looking at the bottom of the lens seems about shade 10 while looking at the top seems more like shade 3 or 4. It's almost like a gradient tint. I could see if I was moving the hood around so I was looking from non standard locations, but this it with the headgear on and the only angle is from my eyes to the lens.

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Originally Posted by Blaster

Link or Code?

I can only find them at $49.00 :(

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OK, for any who missed out before, there is another one day sale on these corner clamps for $39. Ends midnight tonight CST.
Here is a link to get the deal.
http://northerntoolmail.com/a/hBS5Rs...pDwYY/link56-7

OH Kayyy, got it this time ;)

Thanks So Much!

I looked at the site clicked on the picture and onto the next page it was $49.99. I will call them about it. Thanks for the heads-up on the corner clamps.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...3562_200403562

Use the Link in Rambozo's post and they're $10 less! (I wouldn't call them about it though ;))

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Originally Posted by Blaster

Use the Link in Rambozo's post and they're $10 less! (I wouldn't call them about it though ;))

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I did that but if you go to see the spec's on the clamp buy clicking on the clamp the next page give you the spec's but the price changes you have to go back to buy it to get the lower price Thanks.

Well just tried to order and shipping to Canada for two clamps was $164.33 by UPS and by ground $61.93. and Standard Ground is $17.49 to the border.

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Originally Posted by Kempy

Well just tried to order and shipping to Canada for two clamps was $164.33 by UPS and by ground $61.93. and Standard Ground is $17.49 to the border.

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They are really heavy. Great for using, bad for shipping. Maybe someplace local, instead. Doesn't Princess Auto have a lot of the same stuff that Northern Tool does?

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Originally Posted by Rambozo

They are really heavy. Great for using, bad for shipping. Maybe someplace local, instead. Doesn't Princess Auto have a lot of the same stuff that Northern Tool does?

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Thank Rambozo I looked at Princess Auto and they have one it was very hard because it is in the newest catalogue similar but not available yet and no price still if it is more, still cheaper then shipping.
Attachment 11757
Weight (lbs.): 11.08
9.7 x 8.0 x 3.1 in.

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Originally Posted by Kempy

Thank Rambozo I looked at Princess Auto and they have one it was very hard because it is in the newest catalogue similar but not available yet and no price still if it is more, still cheaper then shipping.
Attachment 11757
Weight (lbs.): 11.08
9.7 x 8.0 x 3.1 in.

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Looks like the same design, but smaller. With those being 11 lbs, and the Northern being 23 lbs. Not really a fair comparison. I guess you can ask if they can get the larger versions. I bet they all come from the same factory anyway.