DCT 4-Way Pressure Release Clamp – Wood Panel Corner Clamping System Woodworking Bracket Set – For Stock up to 6 Inches

I made my 4 way panel clamps with this kit using metal superstrut from the orang big box store and cone nuts. That probably cost a bit more than using hardwood cauls and the provided screws, but it seems more dimensionally stable and likely more long lasting. I found only two YouTube videos showing that configuration, but it also seems like these 4 way panel clamps are criminally underrated and under promoted. These were amazing on a 40 inch wide 3 slab glue up for a walnut slab. I used pipe clamps in between three of these to give more consistent pressure, but the panel clamps gave me an almost perfectly flat table top even with slight differences in slab thicknesses. I would buy these again and plan to get many years of use from them despite them being made of plastic. They are a little finicky to use, but deliver clearly superior results. I believe that thinner panels of 1 inch or less would benefit even more from these.

I just glued up a couple panels and the clamps worked great, this time. The first time, the metal mechanism popped out of the plastic notches. They are pretty much useless. The solution was drill holes in the wooden cauls and cut angled slots at about 45º, so the clamp slide in securely. We are woodworkers, right? You're gluing up your own panels? Got a couple tools to cut wood? I spent a few hours with my setup, including sanding. It was absolutely worth it. My advice is to ditch the plastic parts from the beginning and include some detailed instructions about how to drill and prepare your cauls. The best part is that you can set this up for just about any width panel you like. I even used a spacer for even pressure when I glued up a very thin panel of only 1/4".

Hard setting up but makes for good flat surface.

The product itself seems good enough, relative to the price. No qualms with shipping or packaging. Overall I could probably give this 4 or 5 stars, however the instructions for use are nothing less than vague. In fact, there is no instruction for using this item, and only a hint at assembly. I had never seen pressure clamps like this before but the concept seemed perfect for my projects. I am, t say the least, a beginner woodworker, however I’m pretty good at figuring things out. On my first attempt to use these, I was ready to ship them back (I haven’t written that notion off yet). I’m going to search for a YouTube video before I decide to keep or return. Buyer beware, if you have no experience with pressure clamps!

I was looking at these for doing better panel glue ups and was going to purchase them from a woodworking equipment company but they cost around 40% more. There's not much to these, pretty simple really. They work great and are apply even pressure across the panel for a better glue up.

Somewhat of a pain to set up but they work. I use it to make cutting boards. Tips: put painter's tape on the blocks of wood so the blocks don't get glued to the work. Make sure you test fit for your intended use before you cut the wood for this so you have an approximate size. Set the whole thing up before you start gluing. When you go to glue up, put small blocks of wood that are taller than your work on both ends to keep the blocks of wood apart and remove them before you clamp (otherwise, the spring pressure will keep you from inserting the pieces easily. Finally, I make sure the ends of the boards are aligned and clamp them together when they are aligned -- just because the midde of the board is flush, doesn't mean the ends are exactly flush.

4 way clamp parts were exactly as advertised. instruction included and easy to follow.

The plastic parts warped and I had to warm them up to flatten them out

Might just be me but I find them a bit awkward to get in place, once set up they seem to do a decent job. For some reason I thought there was enough parts to build 2, I mean it makes sense to have 2, not sure what good just one would do, so I had to order a second one.

Works quite well but the instructions are horrible. You need two pieces of hardwood 1-5/8” square by 20” long (or longer if you want) you screw one long and one short bar to each one exactly the same distance apart from each other. Then you hook the screw handle clamp onto the short bars on both pieces and the other clamp end to the long bars. (See my picture) make sure your wood cross bars are flat and not warped.

A pain to assemble but seem to work fine. You need to buy two sets to get good use out of them.

I have had a chance to use these clamps for a few weeks. I find them to be a very poor quality. The threads stripped on the clamps with just normal hand pressure. The concept is good but the build quality is very poor. Don't waste your money.