Rockler came out with the Bandy Clamp just under a year ago and just recently added new Bandy Clamp sizes to the lineup. Now, it looks like at least one other company has noticed and come out with a competing product. Several months ago, Peachtree Woodworking Supply introduced Flex-A-Band clamp pads.
The Flex-A-Band differs from the Bandy Clamp in that it isn’t a clamp itself. It is simply a pair of clamping pads that are connected together with a rubbery band. It’s meant to be attached to other clamps to make a tool that works in the same way as Rockler’s design.
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Flex-A-Bands come in two varieties: a version that attaches to Kreg-style face clamps (maybe Vise-Grip swivel-pad C-clamps as well?) and a version that you can use with most 2″ to 3″ spring clamps.
Both bands are made from rubber, so they’ll conform to the contour of whatever edge banding you are clamping. The pads are soft and non-marring, so they shouldn’t slip or mark up your work piece.
These clamps accessories are designed for edge banding applications, and for securing items to a workbench or other fixture.
Pricing: $15 for (2) Flex-A-Bands for locking face clamps, $13 for (2) Flex-A-Bands for spring clamps.
Peachtree charges shipping based on order value, and has a convenient shipping chart. If you wanted to get one pair of either type of Flex-A-Band, shipping will cost you $6, and for two pairs (with pricing over $25) shipping will cost $9.
Buy Now (via Peachtree Woodworking Supply)
Compare (Rockler Bandy Clamp)
Here’s Peachtree’s promo video:
First Thoughts
The approach of supplying separate bands without clamps has both advantages and disadvantages. For one, you can use the clamps you already have and are familiar with. Of course on the flip side, you have to already own the right clamps. Also, since the bands aren’t attached to the clamps, you might waste time looking for both parts.
It also remains to be seen how easy they are to use. Since the bands are already attached to Rockler’s Bandy Clamps, you just open the clamp and press it against the edge. The Flex-A-Bands aren’t permanently attached to the clamps, so will they take more time or be more difficult to use?
I would think another advantage of selling just the bands is that the price would be lower, but a pair of Flex-A-Bands alone are around the same price as a pair of medium Rockler Bandy Clamps. You would think Peachtree would have been able to supply them at a lower price point because they aren’t supplying clamps.
Hilton says
As far as I can recall, the Kreg face clamps have different sized feet per clamp and from the picture supplied, it doesn’t look like the two recesses are that different.
So either one foot of the Kreg clamp will be floating about or it just won’t fit in at all.
At half the price, I think the Ptree stuff would be useful but I’d rather stick with the Bandy Clamps. I now have a dozen of the original size.
I’m find I reach for the Bandy Clamps more than any other clamp in that size.
Grady says
As far back as I can remember. I have seen many people including myself, use a bicycle inter tube and a C clamp.
William says
I would not use these. You need two hands to use the band part. Sure you can drape it over the edge like in the video, but what about edging something flat like a table top. The video also only shows the band on the spring clamp when he holds up the clamp. Gravity appears to be the only thing keeping the band on.
Fastcap also has a version. It looks like a cross between Rockler and Peachtree. And its only $5!
http://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/viewprd.asp?idproduct=55249
Benjamen says
Nice find on the FastCap version!
fred says
The Fastcap version looks like a updated copy of the old Pony 3261 and 3262.
It may be just me because other seem to like them – but I’ve tried the Rockler versions and the old Pony ones and I don’t care for them for edging. My experience is that the edging tends to walk a bit under the clamp. I much prefer using Pony 3325 clamps or other add-ons like the Bessey KT5-2 or Jorgensen 641 or 644. I do use the Rockler clamps as secondary clamps between my other edge clamps
dpow says
Reviews for the Rockler claim the (not actually) rubber marks up the wood. I wonder if these others would do the same?