Blokkz’s Universal Clamping Blocks (UCB) are specially shaped anodized aluminum blocks that can be used for all sorts of woodworking clamping operations. You can use them with bar clamps, C-clamps, and even locking clamps, or attach a 1/4″ bolt and knob for a T-track hold down.
Advertisement
Blokkz are about 5″ long and are textured for non-slip clamping grip. Each comes with a neoprene pad.
The price starts at $22.50 per pair via Lee Valley, and $25 per pair with quantity discounts via the manufacturer. This is a USA-made product.
Buy Now(via Lee Valley)
Buy Now(via Blokkz)
UCB Usage Ideas
Clarification: these are clamping blocks, not clamps. The idea is that you clamp the flat section of each block to a wooden part with a clamp (C-clamp, F-clamp, bar clamp, locking clamp, quick clamp, etc), and then use another clamp on the looped section to draw separate components together.
Mati
Stuart, I hope this question does come off as primitive, but how would you use this product as a C clamp? As this product does look quite well made and best of all American made as well.
Stuart
Sorry, the fault is mine for being unclear. You wouldn’t use it as a C-clamp, but with a C-clamp.
These clamping blocks are intended to be clamped to wooden parts with separate clamps, with a third clamp drawing two or more components together, via the looped part. I tried to select usage example images that showed this.
Mati
Stuart, now that makes sense. I thought would that would be a amazing tool if this could perform solely as a C clamp though. Thanks for the clarification.
Stuart
It might be possible to use two with some threaded rod and knobs to make the blocks into a sort of self-contained clamp, but one would have to be a fixed-position jaw for added rigidity.
These cost $25 per pair, whereas you can get two large C-clamps or 5-6 small C-clamps for that price.
Mati
I must attest Stuart, when I read that these are 100% American made and that these could be used as C clamps, I was about to outright buy them, as the only company that makes 100% American made C clamps is Armstrong these days.
Thanks for the tip though.
John Sullivan
These are wonderful– my first reaction was, “Hmm… Woodpeckers stopped anodizing their cool new toys in red?” Good to know that there’s some competition in the area of woodworking innovations… now if they can just bring the cost down a smidge?
Seth
I agree – for what is essentially cut apart aluminum extrusions these are a bit pricey. I’d want to pay $15 for a pair.
Made in the USA though – so perhaps the premium is justified.
Stuart
The Woodpeckers’ hold-down, which are excellent by the way, are $9 each. These Blokkz are slightly more complex in design, at about $12 each. Blokkz also seems to be a smaller company, which could mean higher production costs.
Mati
Stuart, those Woodpecker brand hold down’s look pretty nice, but let me guess, they aren’t made in America are they? I have to agree $25 is asking a great deal, but considering the product is made out of solid steel and is USA made, I can’t say the price is truly that bad.
Stuart
Everything Woodpeckers makes, except for maybe the dial indicator that comes with their saw gauge, is made in the USA.
Both the Woodpeckers and Blokkz hold-downs are made from anodized aluminum, not steel. Even so, alum is plenty strong enough for jigs and common woodworking hold-down tasks. I wouldn’t use them to secure steel parts on a metal-cutting milling table, though.
Mati
Stuart, thank you for that crucial information. I must attest Stuart, if the event the Pony Hold down clamp I purchased doesn’t work out, I am now very interested in these Woodpecker clamps.
You say you wouldn’t use these on a metal cutting milling table, but in your opinion, do you think these can be used to secure light metal objects or can these only be used on wooden and plastic surfaces.
Thanks for the link.
Stuart
You’re very welcome. I use them on plastic and sheet metal on occasion, but generally I prefer to use heavier duty clamps when working with stronger and heavier materials.
Hold-downs like these are generally only used to keep workpieces held down against a flat surface. If I am working on something and need to apply lateral pressure, I use something larger and with greater clamping power.
They’re not substitutes for a vice, bar clamp, C-clamp, or similar.
Mati
Stuart, this has been very educational for me and probably for others I imagine so thank you commenting. So these Woodpecker brand generally safe for light metal. The item that I was think was the Snappy 1/8 drill bit adapter as you can either use a vise or C clamp for that, but I was thinking of alternatives as well.
Stuart
I would advise extreme care if using these or the Woodpeckers hold-downs even on light metal. They’re really designed to be used with T-tracks and to hold wood boards or sheets down against a work surface. I’m not trying to discourage you, but to urge caution when using these – or other products – outside the specific application limits they were designed for.
Mati
That makes sense and I appreciate your advise. Honestly, I would never put a large amount of pressure with these clamps though.
But do you need a T track for this these clamps to truly work though? I’ve asked around and haven’t received a clear cut answer though. As frankly I am wondering what you do with the bolt if you don’t.
Safety is important, that much I’ve learned over the years.
Stuart
While you might be sensible, I had to put full warning anyways for others’ benefit.
Regarding the need for a T-track, yes and no. If you want to be able to move and reposition either brands’ hold-down clamps along an axis, you will need a T-track. If you plan on keeping the clamps stationary, you can either drill a hole into your worktop or scrap jig material.
The Blokkz hold-down clamp accessory page (here) shows the clamping blocks being used with a drill press’s built-in tracks.
As hold-downs, the 1/4″ threaded bolts are necessary. It doesn’t matter if they’re used with T-tracks or if they’re mounted through a worktable or chunk of plywood jig material (with a large washer of course), as long as it’s there.
Mati
Yeah, I’ve had to learn the hard way with safety as I’ve had my share of little accidents along the way. So that is why I know how pivotal safety is.
Thanks for the information on T tracks, yeah I was under the impression that was something that was absolutely needed, but now I fully understand this matter.
Because I have a friend who owns a vise I know the importance of threaded bolts, although I’ve always wondered how you remove them if they are completely flush to the material. I imagine a nut driver, but that is whole different topic.
Stuart
Just to clarify, hold-downs can be used with standard 1/4″ hex bolts and fasteners. If using them with plywood or a wood board to create a jig, it would be best to countersink the bolt head on the underside of the material, preferentially with a washer in my opinion.
Some hold-downs, as well as the Blokkz hold-down accessory kit, come with T-head bolts, which can be used in stationary jigs in a similar manner.
Mati
Stuart, you are a well educated man, I definitely think that information you just posted is new to me, I figured you had to use a completely different type of bolt and fastener. Do you have any recommendations of a quality brand fastener since we are on the subject?
As so T bolts do come with the Blokkz accessory kit, I thought they just came with standard 1/4 inch hexagonal bolts and am glad to learn, as some of this is new to me, that they can be used in the same fashion.
Stuart
That’s part of the appeal of hold down clamps and T-track accessories – most are designed to work with standard 1/4″-20 fasteners. Some work with 5/16″ -18 fasteners as well, but not usually with T-track.
The Woodpeckers hold-down comes with everything you need. If using it without T-track, an extra washer might be useful. The Blokkz kit is similarly equipped.
T-head bolts are specifically designed for T-track use, but can be used in other applications.
Hex and T-head fasteners cannot rotate in T-tracks, but can rotate when used separately in cases where the heads are not constrained. Just something to be aware of, as this can limit the clamping strength of the hold-down. In such cases, as you turn the knob, the entire bolt might rotate instead of applying additional clamping strength.
Mati
Well I just received and returned a Jorgensen hold down clamp as this not only did not work the work I wanted to do, but also probably wouldn’t work as well as a Woodpecker brand. I know Woodcraft sells those, I hope they sell in them in their brick and mortar facilities though.