Irwin Quick Grip

I like looking at new and useful things. Through a friend (thanks Don!) I discovered Irwin Quick Grip clamps. These things are great. I build things in my yard, and I usually work alone. This clamp really makes putting something together much easier.

A lot of my projects involve treated wood, including 4X4s and 2X6s. In the picture above, I'm attaching a horizontal 2X6 to a vertical 4X4 as part of a canoe rack. I attach them together with deck screws. I held the 2X6 up against the poles and marked with my thumb where one of the screws would go. Took the board down and started the screw. Put the board back up against the poles with the level balanced on top. Holding the board against the poles, at level, with one hand, I reached out and clamped one end with the Quick Grip. I then pulled the drill out of my pocket and put the screw into the post on the other end. Voila!, my 2X6 is in place and ready for the rest of the screws.

In the past I used a large C clamp. Imagine holding a board up with one hand and clamping one end of it with the other hand and the C clamp. I hope that the guy or team at Irwin that invented this got a bonus!