Quick Answer: The Plain Clamp (MG-PC) is a hardened carbon-steel strap clamp that holds a workpiece down from the top when tightened on a stud through its mounting hole. The datasheet classes it as an offset-type fixture and tooling clamp, with a tapered nose at the clamping end. MG-PC comes in 6 sizes for M10 to M30 studs, made from medium carbon steel hardened and tempered to 24–32 HRC and chemically blackened. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — ISO 9001:2015 certified. Enquiry: enquiry@madrasengg.com
A clamp that is too long, too short, or sized for the wrong stud pushes on the wrong spot, and the job never sits the way the setup sheet says it should. The Plain Clamp is the most basic strap clamp on a machine table, which is exactly why getting the size right matters: it is the one you will use most. Madras Engineering Works (MEW) is a Chennai-based ISO 9001:2015 certified supplier of workholding components, fasteners, clamping kits, and CNC machining accessories. Established in 1999, MEW serves manufacturers, tool rooms, and engineering plants across South India including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. MEW is an authorised TVS fastener dealer and holds MSME registration (UDYAM-TN-02-0158983). Here is everything you need to know.
What Is a Plain Clamp?
A Plain Clamp is a solid steel strap with a through-hole (D) for the clamping stud. One end rests on a support, the other presses on the workpiece, and the stud between them pulls the clamp down. There are no moving parts, no jaws and no springs. MEW's MG-PC is machined from medium carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 24–32 HRC and chemically blackened. The datasheet lists it as an offset type: the nose end is tapered, as the side and top drawings show.
MG-PC is made in 6 sizes, from a 70mm clamp on an M10 stud (0.2 kg) to a 200mm clamp on an M30 stud (4.1 kg). Each size has its own height (A) and width (B), listed in the table below.
Where Is the Plain Clamp Used?
MG-PC is a general-purpose clamp for fixtures and tooling. Typical uses:
- CNC machining centres and milling machines, holding blanks and castings on T-slot tables
- Fixture plates and jigs in tool rooms and machine shops
- General machining setups where a simple downward hold is enough
It is used the same way as any stud-and-nut strap clamp, with standard T-bolts, T-nuts and clamping studs on VMC and milling machine tables such as BFW, ACE Micromatic, Jyoti, Haas and FANUC ROBODRILL.
Best Suited For: MG-PC Size & Fit Table
Pick the clamp by stud size first, then by the length you need to reach the workpiece. D is the mounting hole size in the clamp.
| Part No. | D x L (mm) | A (mm) | B (mm) | Suitable for Screw Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG-PC-1170 | 11 x 70 | 16 | 30 | M10 | 0.2 kg |
| MG-PC-1480 | 14 x 80 | 20 | 40 | M12 | 0.4 kg |
| MG-PC-18100 | 18 x 100 | 25 | 50 | M16 | 0.85 kg |
| MG-PC-22120 | 22 x 120 | 30 | 60 | M20 | 1.45 kg |
| MG-PC-26150 | 26 x 150 | 35 | 70 | M24 | 2.4 kg |
| MG-PC-33200 | 33 x 200 | 39 | 79 | M30 | 4.1 kg |
As a starting point for matching the clamp to your table, these are the usual pairings. Always measure your own T-slot with a vernier caliper before ordering.
| Machine | T-slot Width | Stud Thread | MG-PC Part No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFW BMV 45+ / 50 | 14mm | M12 | MG-PC-1480 |
| ACE Micromatic MCV-400 / 450 | 14mm | M12 | MG-PC-1480 |
| Jyoti VMC 850 / NVU | 14mm | M12 | MG-PC-1480 |
| FANUC ROBODRILL | 14mm | M12 | MG-PC-1480 |
| Haas VF-2 / VF-3 | 16mm | M16 | MG-PC-18100 |
The Problem It Solves
A strap clamp only works if it presses where you want it to press. A clamp that is too long overhangs the workpiece and loses holding effect. One that is too short does not reach. The result is a job that shifts under the cutter: a scrapped part, a damaged tool, or a stopped machine.
MG-PC gives you a range of 6 matched sizes, each tied to a stud size, so the right clamp length and thickness are always on the shelf. It is hardened and tempered to 24–32 HRC and chemically blackened.
Plain Clamp vs. Slotted Clamp
Both are strap clamps. The difference is how the stud position is set.
| Factor | Plain Clamp (MG-PC) | Slotted Clamp |
|---|---|---|
| Stud position | Fixed hole | Adjustable along the slot |
| Best when | Stud-to-edge distance suits the workpiece | The workpiece needs the stud somewhere else |
If your stud-to-edge distance keeps missing the workpiece, a slotted clamp is the better pick. If the layout is fixed and repeated, a plain clamp in the right size is the simpler choice.
Technical Specifications
Material: Medium carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 24–32 HRC, chemically blackened
Type: Offset, fixture and tooling clamp (per datasheet)
Stud/screw size range: M10, M12, M16, M20, M24, M30
Clamp length range: 70mm to 200mm
Available variants: 6 sizes, part numbers MG-PC-1170 through MG-PC-33200
Weight range: 0.2 kg to 4.1 kg depending on size
Quality system: ISO 9001:2015 certified supplier, Chennai
As of 2026, MG-PC is available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a plain clamp used for?
A: A plain clamp holds a workpiece down on a machine table or fixture plate. It is tightened on a stud through its mounting hole, with one end on a support and the other on the job. It is used in CNC machining, milling, drilling and tool room fixtures. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: Which MG-PC fits an M12 stud?
A: MG-PC-1480 is the M12 size. It is 80mm long with a 14mm hole, 20mm high and 40mm wide, and weighs 0.4 kg. M12 is the usual stud for the 14mm T-slot on BFW, ACE Micromatic, Jyoti and FANUC ROBODRILL tables. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: What is the difference between a plain clamp and a slotted clamp?
A: A plain clamp has a fixed hole, so the stud always sits in the same place along the clamp. A slotted clamp lets you slide the stud along the slot to suit the workpiece. Choose slotted when the stud-to-edge distance varies, plain when it does not. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: What is the MG-PC plain clamp made of?
A: MG-PC is machined from medium carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 24–32 HRC, then chemically blackened. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: Which sizes does the MG-PC come in?
A: Six sizes: MG-PC-1170 (M10), MG-PC-1480 (M12), MG-PC-18100 (M16), MG-PC-22120 (M20), MG-PC-26150 (M24) and MG-PC-33200 (M30). Clamp length runs from 70mm to 200mm. Available from Madras Engineering Works, Chennai — enquiry@madrasengg.com
Q: Where can I buy plain clamps in Chennai?
A: Madras Engineering Works (MEW) supplies the MG-PC range, M10 to M30, from Chennai. MEW is ISO 9001:2015 certified and serves tool rooms and manufacturers across Tamil Nadu and South India. Contact: enquiry@madrasengg.com
Get the Right Plain Clamp for Your Setup
Whether you need a single clamp or a full set for a new fixture, Madras Engineering Works supplies MG-PC for stud sizes from M10 to M30.
Same-day dispatch from Chennai.
ISO 9001:2015 certified supply chain.
TVS Authorised Dealer.
📧 enquiry@madrasengg.com
🌐 madrasengg.com
📍 Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Not sure which size fits your table? WhatsApp your stud size and the reach you need to +91 95143 73702 and we'll confirm the right MG-PC.
Written by Husain, Founder of Madras Engineering Works — an ISO 9001:2015 certified industrial supplier in Chennai specialising in workholding, clamping and CNC accessories. Need help speccing the right part? WhatsApp +91 95143 73702 or email enquiry@madrasengg.com.
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