Anyone using Cabin Tree or J&R clamping mould handles? What do you think? I cast 500 bullets in 4-days of our "indoor" weather (single-digit temps with double-digit winds) last week and ended up with a sore forearm/elbow I would prefer not to repeat. Wondering if a handles that clamp work as advertised?

Long discussion about the handles on the Shilo site with pictures both pro and con.

The are clumsy, heavy and if you don't pay attention you ruin a mould in short order. The holes in the handles you attach the blocks are way to big so the mould halves droop and the blocks pivot beyond way to much about 30 degrees if not more. You have to really be careful when closing the mould blocks halves or the alignment pins holes will wear out of round in very short order and ruin the mould. That has been my experience with the Cabine Tree handles only and there are those that swear by them and that's why I wanted to give them a try. Long story short they were sold in short order, didn't even finish casting a 100 bullets with them. The high point is that they say they keep the mould blocks closed tight and the bullets are more uniform. My experience has been you cannot close the mould blocks any further than fully closed no matter what kind of handles you use or how hard you try to squeeze them.

JLouis

What John said. I had a pair of Cabin Tree handles and traded them straight out for a pair of Saeco handles. I got the best deal.
Bill

I have been using the Cabin Tree locking handles for several years.
Having arthritis makes casting more of a chore then it ever was. I fitted a hammer handle to position the mould where I want it under the spout of my rcbs pro melt. Rest the handle just behind the mould to hold it under the spout and cast.
After starting to use the handles my bullets were way more consistent in weight, and my scores went up.
Way less fatigue, and pain in my hands and arm using them.
They have work very well with any of my moulds, without any kind of damage to the mould. 
I do not have them clamped like removing a broken bolt.

Worth every cent I have in the two sets I have.

I found myself tapping the hinge pin after I had released the lock, and peened alignment holes in a mould to the point it wouldn't close all the way (took only a few minutes to repair).  As long as I take care not to do that, they work as advertised.  The mould halves do droop some.

For my use, I prefer the Saeco handles.  If Arthur (itis) comes to visit, I may change my mind.

Clarence

interesting method,  but how many can you cast before they get too hot to handle?   
I wear my old firefighters gloves when casting but they are a bit bulky (wish I could find something as effective but less bulky).  With the wood handled clamping handles I only have to wear one on the hand I open the sprue plate with.

DW I have been using an OV ( oven ) Glove for several years now. Good for 700+ degrees and it's almost like wearing a cotton glove and is very comfortable. I cut my sprues by hand and you can very easily pick up a 28 cal. bullet with it. I get mine at the local Target store for about 16.00 and I highly recommend there use. Another one of those best money I ever spent items for my use.

JLouis