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Bessey clamps

7K views 47 replies 24 participants last post by  kgrevemberg 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I don't see anything special about Bessey parallel clamps; in fact, I hate them. I have 6 of them and I can never get them to clamp. I turn the screw and it doesn't make contact with the serrations on the bar. I push in while screwing and it doesn't want to tighten. I end up out of thread and have to back out and start again. Thinking I should pull instead of pushing while screwing, results in the same scenario. I prefer the "F" style bar clamps and can use them with one hand. Please explain to me what is the correct way to use Bessey clamps. I'm getting to the point where I may sell them at a garage sale.
 
#4 ·
Well…...You can send them to me. I'd be happy take those and any other tools than you hate. I'm won't even charge you anything for the service. PM me and I give you an address.

I have both pipe and Besseys. I much prefer the Besseys for panel glue ups.
 
#5 ·
I have a good number of Bessey's parallel clamps, they do take some getting use to but they clamp well, if I had it all to do over I would have purchased Jet parallel clamps they have a trigger that makes them easier to adjust,but since I have 40 or so Bessy's that would be a pretty fair investment to change now.
Like Alaska guy I have lots of pipe clamps, there are really the best bang for the buck but Bessy's can do things pipe clamps can't
 
#6 ·
You have to push the handle down to be parallel with the bar. If it's lifted up at all, it's in "sliding mode" and not "clamping mode."

Once you get used to it, it works fine.

I'm pretty indifferent as to the Jet vs Bessey parallel clamps. I have both. I prefer the Jet a teensy bit, but they both do the job and I actually like that the Bessey clamps have a lighter bar, especially on the longer clamps.
 
#7 ·
You have to push the handle down to be parallel with the bar. If it s lifted up at all, it s in "sliding mode" and not "clamping mode."

Once you get used to it, it works fine.

I m pretty indifferent as to the Jet vs Bessey parallel clamps. I have both. I prefer the Jet a teensy bit, but they both do the job and I actually like that the Bessey clamps have a lighter bar, especially on the longer clamps.

- jonah
+1 push handle toward the bar to engage and pull away from the bar to slide head.
 
#9 ·
They have a sort of "clutch" in the sliding
head. I think you push the handle towards
the bar to lock the clutch and pull it away
from the bar to slide the head freely. I do
something like this when using mine and
while they are awkward to use due to their
weight, I ve not had much trouble with
the heads slipping.

- Loren
same here..slightly pushing the handle toward the bar as i tighten
 
#10 ·
personally I have always found them a little bit klutzy, not that you cannot learn to use them, and it's not that hard, but my frustration was that after using screw clamps of various makes, the change in thinking on how to release and adjust them just didn't function with my "muscle memory". On the upside, the trun of the handle was good, unlike cheap imports. Had them, sold em, reverted to old-style bessey's, the "squareness" feature really never struck me as terrifically important to the point it would over-ride my frustration

Just my thughts

Eric
 
#12 ·
I have some Wood River ones that work similarly…frustrating at first, but you get the hang of them.

I DID see a review here of heavy bar-type clamps with heads similar to pipe clamp heads and they seem to me to be the best of both worlds.
 
#13 ·
I bought my first Bessy's only a while back. I bought a couple junior K clamps and an an original. They joined over 150 other clamps. I have a love-hate relationship with them, but they are a welcome addition.

Even the Juniors are heavy, but the originals are REALLY heavy. That must be part of the reason they have so much clamping force and make most bar clamps look like toys.

When something needs clamping hard, they can do the job. Too, if I need something that reaches out farther than my pipe clamps, they do it, and still clamp hard.

To get use out of my Besseys takes getting used to, as was said, but I think they're worth it when your need them. Since I don't use them every day and since I'm still a newbie with them, I, generally, have to take a few stabs at using them. They, certainly, are not one handed clamps, at this point.
 
#14 ·
My neighbor had a garage sale, and I was able to buy 16 Bessey parallel clamps (24" and 40") new unused in box at a great price. I'm still getting used to making them move smoothly, but getting better at it.

Pros: can lie flat on a bench on side or facing up (great advantages), heavy duty, strong clamping, large face will not mar wood so don't need to protect wood from clamp as much,
Cons: heavy, not for light clamping, and somewhat annoying to adjust compared to my other clamps

My other clamps are mostly Pony clamps and Bessey's non-parallel. For quick and easy, always grab one of these. For serious glue-up, always grab the parallel clamps/
 
#15 ·
My neighbor had a garage sale, and I was able to buy 16 Bessey parallel clamps (24" and 40") new unused in box at a great price. I m still getting used to making them move smoothly, but getting better at it.

Pros: can lie flat on a bench on side or facing up (great advantages), heavy duty, strong clamping, large face will not mar wood so don t need to protect wood from clamp as much,
Cons: heavy, not for light clamping, and somewhat annoying to adjust compared to my other clamps

My other clamps are mostly Pony clamps and Bessey s non-parallel. For quick and easy, always grab one of these. For serious glue-up, always grab the parallel clamps/

- Sark
I use a lot of variations of clamps. Parallels aren't the only game in town…
 
#17 ·
once you get the trick to using them they are very nice clamps .I have plenty of parallel and pipe clamps .Generally always use parallels first then move into the pipe clamps . I think they have a more parallel clamping surface .As for pipe clamps I really like those thick aftermarket clamp surface pads .
Also love these https://www.amazon.com/Dubuque-Clamp-Works-Bar-Adjustable/dp/B0037M6HX2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1497232527&sr=8-4&keywords=wood+bar+aluminum+clamps .like this brand the best ,cheaper brands grab .I like that they are light weight .
 
#21 ·
I was looking at those HF F Clamps …...might buy a few of them just to try and expand my clamp inventory :<))

- GR8HUNTER
They aren't bad. I would stick to the shorter lengths.

Also, I've been fairly pleased with their aluminum bar clamps. They tend to hang up but if you relieve the corners the run free + put a piece of hardwood inside channel that stiffens them up.
 
#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
Just for reference, I stopped into Sears looking for something and checked out their tools section, since I hadn't done that in several years. I saw some F clamps and, on closer inspection, they look rather much like Bessey, but with the Craftsman name.

I have many HF F clamps and have had VERY good luck and performance with them. Some of them are quite old and have seen a lot of use. The Bessey's have a much heftier bar, so they should do even better over long surfaces.

A couple of the six inch HF's got their tops removed and are now serving as clamps for my WorkMate.
 
#24 ·
I have about 20 or so of these clamps, they are my go-to for most every project. As stated, they can get a bit fussy until you become "one" with their use. Quite often glue drips will interfere with the locking/sliding operation. Typical maintenance is to pick off the boogers and give the bars a waxing. It is also good to place drop of oil where the threaded screw enters the "foot" that is riveted to it.

I don't like the skinny handles, too slippery. I have a set of the Jet clamps, the slide/lock lever is very handy and the handles give plenty of grip, they just seem a tad "clunky" compared to the Besseys. The Jets also dent the wood with the very hard plastic used in their construction, but pads solve this problem.
 
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