this is a good clamp, im very pleased with mine. it has a quick release button on the handle to adjust close to what you want to clamp. the plastic is used to keep from scaring what you are clamping. this is a good product. if anyone has bought this and doesnt care for it. please dont throw away. ship it to me.

Get this: going from fully open to fully closed takes *5 minutes and 24 seconds*. That is not a joke. I was so disappointed by how slow it was, I just had to time it. By the time it completed, the batteries were so weak it hardly had any clamping force left. Even if you use the quick slide button to close it on what you're clamping, it still takes 12 seconds to reach full pressure and another 12 to release it when you're done.
I really thought this would be handy for when I've got my hands full holding two or three things I'm trying to clamp. I could just grab this tool, hold it in place, press the button, and be done. But no, the quick slide feature only works when it's held in the vertical position. Any other angle and it takes two hands to operate.

Other problems: It's not even a proper C-clamp, it's stamped steel and plastic. It's surprisingly heavy for how weak the motor is. The battery compartment is held closed with a tiny black screw. Don't lose it or else you'll have to duct tape it to keep it closed.

I can't fathom what they were thinking when they decided to actually sell this thing. They even knew it doesn't have enough clamping force. It comes with a little wrench tucked into the side so when the motor gives out, you can pull out the wrench, stick it in a hole in the top and tighten it the rest of the way.

I think the proper usage goes something like this:
1. While holding your workpiece with one hand, grasp the AutoClamp and position it in the desired clamping location.
2. Press the quick clamp button, lean over and slide the screw with your chin, forehead, or knee.
3. Now press the tighten button and wait while the screw is tightened. Be patient.
4. While still holding your workpiece, remove the tightening wrench from the side of the clamp and insert into the hole in the top.
5. Turn the wrench to tighten the clamp to the desired pressure and return the wrench to the slot.

This thing is useless as far as I can tell. Seems like every few years I get suckered into buying another B&D product, and I am always disappointed.

I bought this a while ago and while it sounds like a great idea, it just doesn't work very well. It is battery powered and is REALLY slow and weak. So, you pretty much need to adjust it by hand to where it is all but clamped to begin with. So, I guess it works, but I don't use it at all because it is just too weak.

Not using yet. But I like it.

I like the auto adjust feature; it makes using the clamp quick and easy.
It also povides a tight grip.