Bar Clamp Suggestions

[lardy1]

I haven't looked at new bar clamps in years until recently. The affordable, everyday names now getting ****** reviews. I don't rely on online reviews much but you guys are pretty reliable.

Are there any bargains out there? I'm used to the old school Jorgensen screw style and will likely go that type. Medium duty. 24" and maybe 36".


TIA

 

[bob15]

I started using aluminum bar clamps from Universal Clamp Company (also known as the Dubuque Clamp Company). They are strong and I have yet to damage one. Plus they are a heck of a lot lighter and easier to pick-up and move around with. Our local woodworker shop has them as well

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/clamps/bar/70618-dubuque-aluminum-bar-clamps

 

[Rinspeed]

We have a newer set at the shop that are really nice, can't remember what kind they are but I'll look tomorrow.

 

[speed bump]

I like the bar clamps Menards sells under the masterforce brand. Heavy enough with deep jaws but (at least they used to be) cheap enough to have several on hand.

 

[RTM]

I love my Bessey K bodies, but not sure there new stuff is on par with the older. Others are making Knock offs, again, no idea on quality in use. Neither has felt great on the showroom floor.

The Dubuque’s mentioned above are getting some good press, but the jaws are small in my world, hoping to find a pair at reasonable pricing to try out.

I have heard poor reviews of the modern Pony pipe clamps, sliding or breaking under load.

Most of the new to me stuff is vintage F clamps from Jorgensen.

I buy any vintage ones I can find

 

[matt_i]

I have 3 flavors of the Jorgensen,

somewhere around a 3/8 x 3/4" bar with a V-thread pressure screw & wooden handle

somewhere around a 1" x 3/8" bar, with acme screw and wooden handle

I-beam clamps with Acme thread and metal crank handle

The i-beamers are fearsome as far as the clampload you can apply, almost anything wood can be squashed together. But not a lot of reach

Have used all 3 flavors on metalworking projects as well but I take off the non-scratch pads to avoid getting them cut or nasty that would transfer to the next woodworking project.

 

[Will Allen]

I love my Bessey K bodies, but not sure there new stuff is on par with the older.

I have a gob of those and like them. The quality on so many of these products has gone downhill.

 

[subroc]

I don't have a lot of clamps. Maybe 35 or 40. 8 or 10 pipe clamps I picked up 2nd hand. Another 20 or so grip clamps from both Irwin and Dewalt. I also have 8 or 10 of the Jorgensen medium and heavy duty bar clamps of various lengths mostly in pairs. If I was going to add to them today I would consider the cabinet style with the parallel jaws by either Bessey or the ones being offered by Jorgensen, some more of the quick clamps that I would probably buy what was on sale (lot of good ones out there these days) as well as a couple more pairs of the Jorgensen I already have.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Another good brand is the Austrian Stabil brand. They compete in Europe with Bessy, mine are better quality than my German made Bessy clamps.

 

[LeeG]

I have been using the Jet parallel bar clamps for years. I have over 30 of them ranging from 12” to 60”. I’ve been pleased with them.

 

[alinc100]

I have Bessey K bodies in my shop. I was able to stock up when I was building kitchen cabinets 20+ years ago. The Dubuque clamps look like a modern,well built lighter solution. Seemed to be reasonable at HJE. https://www.harryepstein.com/dubuqu...PZJttYigRgxtK0ZVSOMiyp-PZx8h0I6YaArm9EALw_wcB

 

[Spacey_G]

Are you looking for F-style bar clamps or parallel clamps? The Bessey K-bodies that others have recommended are parallel clamps and serve a different purpose than F-style clamps.

If you're looking for F-style clamps, I would recommend the German-made Bessey models. These are heavier duty than the ones you find in Home Depot and are very good quality. They're available with long throat depths too. Look at the "TG" line.