I have a pair of these cheap clamps that were given to me. They can’t be used to draw wood together as they are a poor design. The solution you have found to put them into use is great. They are good at holding onto something like making a jig so they are not totally useless but you have to be careful that they haven’t moved in a critical application.

CHRIS, Charlottetown PEI Canada. Anytime you can repurpose, reuse, or recycle, everyone wins!