Quality Woodworking clamps

[a***nc83]

Hey guys, just thought i would get the opinions of some tool experts. So i have always had an interest in woodworking, now that i have the time, career is pretty much established, i thought i would get started. So i figured i should start getting tools, i have decent spread of tools already, but i need some clamps.

So what are the clamps of choice for woodworking or in general, while i am only now beginning, i would prefer to pay extra for proper quality clamps, that i can leave behind, when i leave this world..... ....budget is not too much of a concern.

Thanks, any help is appreciated

 

[Packard V8]

There are a variety of different woodworking clamps, depending upon whether one is gluing up panels, small pieces, corners, frames, etc. If trying to get enough of each type, I've got dozens and it is quite a stack to store.

I use Jorgensen parallel jaw clamps, among others.

What I'd recommend is searching Fine Woodworking's data base and buying the back issues which have tests of various types of clamps.

jack vines

 

[Steinmetz]

Hey guys, just thought i would get the opinions of some tool experts. So i have always had an interest in woodworking, now that i have the time, career is pretty much established, i thought i would get started. So i figured i should start getting tools, i have decent spread of tools already, but i need some clamps.

So what are the clamps of choice for woodworking or in general, while i am only now beginning, i would prefer to pay extra for proper quality clamps, that i can leave behind, when i leave this world..... ....budget is not too much of a concern.

Thanks, any help is appreciated

Jorgensen.

 

[metal1313]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002HC67G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

thats a start, somewhere i saw a larger set for about the same price range

 

[a***nc83]

Yeah i came across both bessey and jorgensen, couldn't really figure out which is better, what about the bessey k series?

That seems quite popular with the woodworkers i know.

 

[Givl Reggin]

If trying to get enough of each type, I've got dozens and it is quite a stack to store.

You need to build a clamp cart like this...

 

[JASTECH]

Nice wood clamp rack! Also $200 for 30 Bessey clamps is a good price I think?
>
>
Oops, it was $200 for only 14, sorry.

 

[a***nc83]

Very nice, thanks, i had something similar in mind, just not mobile, but thats a great idea

 

[Greg_R]

Hey guys, just thought i would get the opinions of some tool experts. So i have always had an interest in woodworking, now that i have the time, career is pretty much established, i thought i would get started. So i figured i should start getting tools, i have decent spread of tools already, but i need some clamps.

So what are the clamps of choice for woodworking or in general, while i am only now beginning, i would prefer to pay extra for proper quality clamps, that i can leave behind, when i leave this world..... ....budget is not too much of a concern.

Thanks, any help is appreciated

As mentioned, you'll want a variety. I use 12" Bessy Tradesman clamps for basic clamping tasks. The K-bodies are more expensive and work best for larger square work. You'll want to make some cauls; you won't need as many clamps. I'd also get a bunch of pipe clamps and bar clamps from Penn State Industries... they are cheap but work fairly well. The Bessy and PSI bar clamps are nice because you can remove the plastic pads for metal work. I also have some wooden hand screws, spring clamps, band clamps and other misc clamps that come in handy.

I'd start with a bunch of PSI bar and pipe clamps. They will be cheap and you'll be able to buy a bunch of them. After that get 4 Bessy K-bodies for square glueups (or the Jet, Pony, or similar knockoffs). Every now and then the Bessy 4-clamp + alignment block kit goes on sale, keep an eye out for that deal. Now buy clamps as needed for specific jobs.

 

[toymn6366]

bought this this weekend a yardsale for $2 guess i done good

 

[cgv69]

Yeah i came across both bessey and jorgensen, couldn't really figure out which is better

Depends on which type of clamp you are looking at? For spring clamps they are pretty much the same. For standard bar clamps, I prefer the Besseys tradesmen. For wood hand clamps, I prefer the Jorgensen.

what about the bessey k series?

Parallel style clamps are really nice, especially for case work but they are also expensive and heavy. I have some of the older K-Body's but I understand the newer ones are even better? Since I got mine, many other companies have come out with their own version such as Jet and Jorgensen but I honestly don't know how well they all stack up against each other?

Clamps are one of those tools you cant have too many of. I would start out with one of those Bessy Tradesman clamp sets then add other types as needed.

 

[cgv69]

bought this this weekend a yardsale for $2 guess i done good

I have one of those. For $2 sure might as well buy it but honestly, I'm not all that impressed with the one I have and almost never use it.

 

[fsdogwood]

Almost all the name brands should work, and no need to buy all the clamps you think
you would need all at one time. Keep eyes open, as Christmas comes close, there could
be all kinds of sales.

In the US, from time to time, the stores like Big Lots, or Menards got some decent
clamps

 

[McFarmer]

Dubuque clamp works, small company, great products. All the clamps you'll need.

 

[Outlawmws]

Jorgansen (Pony) Pipe clamps are what I use 98% of the time for wood working. I didn't own a bar clamp until about a year or so ago when I started finding them at yard sales for decent prices.

C clamps are sometimes useful, but you have to be careful to use spreader/sacrificial pads so you don't leave marks.

 

[a***nc83]

Depends on which type of clamp you are looking at? For spring clamps they are pretty much the same. For standard bar clamps, I prefer the Besseys tradesmen. For wood hand clamps, I prefer the Jorgensen.


Parallel style clamps are really nice, especially for case work but they are also expensive and heavy. I have some of the older K-Body's but I understand the newer ones are even better? Since I got mine, many other companies have come out with their own version such as Jet and Jorgensen but I honestly don't know how well they all stack up against each other?

Clamps are one of those tools you cant have too many of. I would start out with one of those Bessy Tradesman clamp sets then add other types as needed.

Is there a reason why you prefer the Jorgensen wooden hand clamps?

 

[a***nc83]

How do you guys feel about the bessey pipe clamps, i really liked the idea of pipe clamps, since its pretty customizable in terms of lengths, you can basically make any lengths you need, and the strength of it depends on how quality of the pipe used, so they could potentially be very durable.

 

[BWS]

Heres what we run....

>Orange Pony 3/4 pipe clamps.A bunch of 42's with a 1/2 dz 30's....and a few longer 7'ers.

>A metric chit ton of 11r Visegrip swivel pads,and would be completely lost without them in ANY WW'n endeavor.....they're THAT fast.

>Sliding bar clamp(wetzler riopoff),big pile of 12's....don't really "like" them,but they get the job done,everyday.

Thats not all our clamps by any means....just what gets used daily in the cabmet shop.I like Bessys...use them in welding shop along with a hoard of C-clamps.Got a nice selection of pnuematics that get used now and then on odd-ball stuff,mainly used for fixturing though.

 

[Monte]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DDO_7JNjcA8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[hifi_hokie]

Mixture of Jorgs and Besseys here.

A clamp rack is definitely needed...right now they're all on top of an ancient table saw

 

[turbowoodworker]

Bessey, Jorgenson, pipe, bar, wooden jaw, c clamps. You need a good assortment of all types to do much woodworking. The tasks in a woodshop dictate a wide range of clamping needs from cabinet corners to panel glue ups, each task is so varied. Best advice... buy lots of them. Oh and stay away from really cheap Chinese bar clamps. I made that mistake, the fixed end and screw doesn't even line up.

 

[volunteers]

I use Bessey K Body clamps and they are just great.

 

[09-JK]

I use Besseys but my favorite by far are the two Gross Stabil's that I have. Unfortunately I believe they stopped making them.

 

[volunteers]

I bought two Harbor Freight clamps and one of them broke after a week. Fortunately I didn't get hurt, but it is kind of scary.

 

[ricleh]

I use Besseys but my favorite by far are the two Gross Stabil's that I have. Unfortunately I believe they stopped making them.

Gross Stabil was bought by Bessey a few years ago. Harry Epstein has a lot of Gross Stabil clamps on closeout. Not the ones in your picture though.

 

[09-JK]

Gross Stabil was bought by Bessey a few years ago. Harry Epstein has a lot of Gross Stabil clamps on closeout. Not the ones in your picture though.

Thanks, I just checked and the ones he does have are quite pricey, a lot more than I paid for mine. It's too bad Bessey didn't continue to make them, as I like the way they lock better than my Bessey's

 

[cgv69]

Is there a reason why you prefer the Jorgensen wooden hand clamps?

Because the Bessey ones I've seen were made in China and not up to standard Bessey quality IMO

 

[Outlawmws]

Mixture of Jorgs and Besseys here.

A clamp rack is definitely needed...right now they're all on top of an ancient table saw

A "rack" doesn't have to be fancy. I have a 22" 2X2 screwed into a wall and it holds a dozen or more pipe clamps...

 

[Danglerb]

Big surprise, I have mostly HF, some are junk, some work fine, but 100% you will need a LOT of clamps in a lot of sizes.

I think the issue with a pipe clamp is that the pipe while cheap is heavy, and ease of handling trumps price if you use them often enough.

Its the sort thing I would look for at swap meets or yard sales since you need a bunch and good ones nicer.

 

[a***nc83]

Because the Bessey ones I've seen were made in China and not up to standard Bessey quality IMO

Can anyone commenton this, are the newer bessey made in china, i stopped by a woodworking shop yesterday, to check the besseys, i couldn`t find any made in china, but those could be older floor models.

 

[cgv69]

Can anyone commenton this, are the newer bessey made in china, i stopped by a woodworking shop yesterday, to check the besseys, i couldn`t find any made in china, but those could be older floor models.

What, you think I'm lying to ya?

Well I know the ones that Lowes sells are made in China as they are marked as such (but maybe that was on the tag only and not on the clamp itself?). Looking at Bessey's site it does not appear that they make 2 different versions so my guess is either that the ones you saw are NOS or you missed the made in china marking (maybe because the tag was removed

Not that this proves much... http://www.amazon.com/Bessey-HS-8-8-Inch-Handscrew-Clamp/product-reviews/B0007D88X6/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Interestingly enough, while I was searching for online references to Bessey handscrews being made in China, I came across a few reviews claiming that the Jorgensens are made in China now too?

Assuming that's true then looks to me that Dubuque is probably making the best wooden handscrew clamps these days... http://thebestthings.com/newtools/screwclamps.htm

 

[zer0cell]

I would go for Jorgensen also. The quality is good and have never had one break even when I was putting them through some pretty rough stuff on occasion. Besides they are made in the USA and are reasonably priced. I'm talking about the ones with the wooden handle. I don't know about the others. The HD versions are pretty stout.

 

[volunteers]

No, the Bessey K Body clamps are made in U.S.
Some other clamps, such as pipe clamps, are not US made.

Can anyone commenton this, are the newer bessey made in china, i stopped by a woodworking shop yesterday, to check the besseys, i couldn`t find any made in china, but those could be older floor models.

 

[signcrafter]

I buy Jorgenson from menards, they go on sale all the time. Made in the USA and work great. I have 8 of the parallel clamps, a bunch of the F clamps along with many others. Lowes sells Bessey but they are made in China.

 

[cgv69]

No, the Bessey K Body clamps are made in U.S.
Some other clamps, such as pipe clamps, are not US made.

?

Nobody said anything about the k-bodies being made in China. The question is regarding their wooden handscrew clamps.

 

[a***nc83]

What, you think I'm lying to ya?

Well I know the ones that Lowes sells are made in China as they are marked as such (but maybe that was on the tag only and not on the clamp itself?). Looking at Bessey's site it does not appear that they make 2 different versions so my guess is either that the ones you saw are NOS or you missed the made in china marking (maybe because the tag was removed

Not that this proves much... http://www.amazon.com/Bessey-HS-8-8-Inch-Handscrew-Clamp/product-reviews/B0007D88X6/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Interestingly enough, while I was searching for online references to Bessey handscrews being made in China, I came across a few reviews claiming that the Jorgensens are made in China now too?

Assuming that's true then looks to me that Dubuque is probably making the best wooden handscrew clamps these days... http://thebestthings.com/newtools/screwclamps.htm

Lolol not at all,you`re helping me with something, last thing i can do is accuse you....i was just wondering what the whole story was, but to add to your point the guy at the woodworking shop said all their USA made jorgensen flew out the door as some avid woodworkers came across the news/ rumor that some jorgensen would be china made.

 

[a***nc83]

I just ordered some of the bessey k bodies....im stupid excited, i ordered (4) 60", (8) 48", and (16) 24". My fiance thinks its hilarious a doctor is this excited about something as pedestrian as clamps....lolol cant wait for them to come....next thing is a rack....

I will order the wooden handscrew clamps in a bit as soon as i figure out whats going n in terms of coo for them....

Thanks for all help.....did i mention how excited i am.....im thinking first woodworking project is a crib?

 

[Barman]

I have a variety of Jet parallel clamps. The're nice Also, regarding pipe clamps I've make a few extension for those long projects (like floor to ceiling case work): various lengths of 3/4" pipe with a coupling on one end, and a threaded end on the main clamp. Thanks for posting the clamp cart - some sort of organization is certainly needed as your collection grows, and that mobile cart looks like an excellent way to go. Hand spring clamps and C clamps are invaluable, along with strap clamps. Cauls can be a lifesaver at times - and the internet can give some great example of how to make them. Your clamp collection will reflect the kind of projects you do.

 

[IndyGarage]

I've got a bunch of those expensive clamps that I got when my Father in Law died. Haven't yet had the inclination to use them at all. I generally just use quick grips.

BTW clamps are one thing that I hate at Harbor Freight. The ones with the orange and black handles are junk. I keep some around as loaners, though.