Abstract: A holddown device for retaining material in place to be sheared, which holddown device includes a longitudinally movable beam that is resiliently maintained in its operating and starting positions, which resilient arrangement precludes breakage of the elements employed to position the beam during its various movements.

Abstract: A clamping or gripping device comprises a handle by which the device can be held in one hand to position it relatively to the work, a carrier mounted or mountable on the handle, or on a part on the handle, a first jaw carried by the handle, and a second jaw pivotally mounted on the carrier. The carrier is movable along the handle, or along a part on the handle, to move the second jaw bodily towards and away from the first jaw; and there is pivotally mounted on the carrier a lever so arranged that, when the device is being held by the handle in one hand to position it relatively to the work, the lever is movable by the same hand, as that which is holding the handle, in a direction towards the handle to cause leverage to be exerted on the second jaw to cause clamping or gripping pressure to be applied, against the work, in the direction of the first jaw.