Plano PC-2 43-Inch Clamp Vertical Glue Press (3 Clamps, 1 Rail)

I bough two of these at a trade show about 3 months ago. I've attempted several times to set them up, but with these unclear, incorrect and misleading instructions, it's been hours of frustration. For those of us who do woodworking as a hobby, the sheer amount of work and frustration to set these up negate any future use you may get out of them. For pro woodworkers, I'm sure they're worth the time and money. To the manufacturer - why not update the instructions? You've seen the reviews, why do you keep doing this to your customers?

Cabinet shops use this sort of clamping system in a big way. This must be a scaled-down version for smaller shops. It is a great concept but I find it very difficult to use. Once you get it set up, however, it does a great job. Instructions are very unclear although it should be pretty easy to figure out. Still not sure if I got it set up right but have used it for several glue-ups. Only bought the basic version (3 clamps) to start. Probably won't expand it. I don't do large panels anyway. It sure is nice to have everything up against a wall and not have something with clamps sticking out all over the place with no good place to put it while it dries!

We just received this system - instructions were pretty bad so installation took quite a while but when we did get set up some 4/4 cherry glue ups went together very quickly and cleanly.You really need 8 if not 10 of the clamps and three rails to glue up anything over 3 ft long. The clamps dont apply a ton of pressure but they do apply it in all the right places to give tight glue joints and alignment. Will update after a few uses, loss of a star is for poor instructions and the high cost of now having to order 3 more clamps from these guys to make my existing set of 5 useful.

I have been making table and desk tops with these clamps for several years. The good news is that they work, and they don't take up much floor space. Rather than I put them on a wall, I put them on a mobile rack. This allows me to get behind them and remove excess glue while wet. I don't trust 12 inches on center so I bought an extra clamp to reduce the spacing. With eight clamps I make panels of 6ft lengths. To make longer panels I add pipe clamps at either end. The only complaint I have is with adjusting the height across eight clamps. A pain. But most of the time I'm making 30 inch panels so that is not problem.

Note before you buy:I bought the 43" clamps thinking they will glue up a 42" top. Wrong. The max width you can glue is about 40". You would think as I did the 43" are for 42" widths, the 49" clamps are for 48" widths.No where on Planos Color PDF Brochure do they state how wide a panel they will glue up.I think its misleading calling out 43" clamps that will only clamp 40". Or 49" clamps that will only clamp up a 46" panel. Whats the point of the 43" or 49" name.

Bought this a few months ago and just had the time this past week and the necessity to assemble/install it in my shop. I'm a full time professional woodworker/cabinet maker and after using the Plano for the last week gluing up shelving for a double bookcase for a customer, I've got nothing but the best to say about it. I was fortunate to get it at a 40% off sale which made it affordable, and I'm really glad I parted w/my $$$. Just saved me HOURS of time in glue-ups. I want to recommend it so that a lot of people will use it and the price will go down. I'd like to double up on what I have and cant wait for another 40% off sale lol. Time saving, simple as hell, efficient, strong, very clever, tho expensive. I can see the springs on the mechanism are going to be a problem down the road. Hopefully the Plano folks are listening and will come up with a more easily replaceable spring - interesting how they included a few extra with the unit. Anyway, highly regarded. You'll love it - no need for biscuits and excessive aggravation with having boards gluing up flat (tho you still have to fiddle a bit)as well as alternating clamps on top and below to equalize pressure. You can even add extra clamping across the ribs if you want to really bring the plane flat.

I am a full time engineer and a part time woodworker.The engineer in me concludes that there was more then the usuall napkin drawings while drinking coffee. A lot of thought has gone into the development and mfg of this exceptional product.From the woodworker side of me I have used no other clamping product that uses so small a space yet clamps very large products, and does it very well keeping the work strait and under equal pressure.A true 10 ********** star product. Marvin Carnahan