: There's a Harbor Freight type of store in CT that sells a lot of chinese
: tools. I have a lot of their clamps and agree, great for about 1/10th the
: money. I did crack a giant C clamp last winter cranking it up tight on
: some steel fixtures. But for the money who cares. My Jorgensen's from
: years back never show stress but they are now about $28 each.

Ocean State Job lot is also a a good source for inexpensive pistol grip clamps and the Taiwanese C-clamps.

: How about those black plastic spring clamps for $1 at Home depot - fantastic
: - better springs than the original pony's at $4 ea.

Yeah, they ROOL, Dood! There are a couple of variations that vary a bit in quality and spring tension. The ones with the rounded handles are better than the ones with the squared handles with finger ridges. But for a buck, how much can you complain?