Replies

1. 
   RonK | Aug 16, 2008 01:01am | #1

   Bessey is the most popular and I have a few but I prefer the Jet Parallel clamps which I also have. The Jets have a few small touches such as a ruler engraved on the clamp. It might not be that accurate but it lets you quickly set the clamp in the right neighborhood right off the rack. The handles are larger and the release mechanism is nice. Either will work but I prefer the Jet.

   Bessey is coming out with a new line and you probably get some deals on the old models or perhaps wait for the new one to see what they have improved.

2. 
   forestgirl | Aug 16, 2008 02:08am | #2

   I'm with Ron in preferring the Jet clamps to all.  I've had Besseys, Jorgenson and Jet.  I traded my Besseys for someone else's Jets, as they preferred the Besseys.  The Jets are easier for me to move the head, I like the handles better, and the ruler on the bar.  Also, since I use an A-Frame clamp rack, I like the fact that they stay closed when you release the head -- the Bessey's slid down, so I had to put a clip beneath the head to keep it in place. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
3. 
   RW | Aug 16, 2008 02:40am | #3

   You know, when I started at this new job, one of my first gripes was "sheesh, you haven't signed up with Bessey yet?!?" and I was told "We got Jet"

   I poo pooed it at first. Why, they don't know what the heck they're talking about. I have a zillion besseys. But then, then I bought a saw, and part of the promo was you got some free clamps. I tell you what, I love em. They are easier than the Besseys to move, the jaws are a little bigger. I still like the Besseys too and I'm not giving them away or trading, but I came around. Jet clamps are actually pretty nice to use.

   Real trucks dont have sparkplugs

4. 
   BruceS | Aug 16, 2008 03:46am | #4

   About the Jet clamps,  Get them while you can, and SOON !   They are going up in price. 

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   Joe Sullivan | Aug 16, 2008 04:22am | #5

   I will join the chorus. I have both Bessey and Jet, and prefer the Jet, although I do like the Bessey.Joe

5. 
   forestgirl | Aug 16, 2008 05:49pm | #6

   Bruce's point is a good one.  Some of the Jet clamps are (oops!  were) on sale, at least at Amazon, and while I can't "independently verify" that the price is going up, I'd not be surprised.  Here are your 40" in a 2-pack, $65, free Super-Shipping.  Hmmmm, that's less than for the 30" clamps.  Cool.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Aug 16, 2008 06:38pm | #7

   "and while I can't "independently verify" that the price is going up, I'd not be surprised"..... Forestgirl

   ***

   Within the last year with the price of getting a Conex container across the pond almost doubling.. the price of cast iron almost doubling.. and the price of ground transport rising drastically..........

   Don't be surprised to see just the price of clamps go up in the near future if you read my drift! :<)

   Sarge..

6. 
   bob_barnett | Aug 16, 2008 10:12pm | #8

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolGuidePDF.aspx?id=26134 

   See if this helps.

   Bob

7. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Aug 18, 2008 04:13am | #9

   Jim. I have a gaggle of steel bar clamps, a few Bessey, woodcrapft, and a bunch of Jorgies in the parallel type.

   Then I saw a promo for the new Jets. It was two 24", two 40" , screw on bench dogs and four red igloo shaped blocks that let two clamp rails pass one high and one low, like when you do doors.

   I liked them enough to snap up every sale that I could find and now have six sets. I reach for the Jets first and second, then the Jorgies and finally the Besseys. All the best, Paddy

1. 
   heartwould | Aug 18, 2008 04:40am | #10

   The Jet "cabinet kit" is now going for $149.99 (w/free shipping) at Amazon:
   http://www.amazon.com/Jet-70411-Parallel-Clamp-Cabinet/dp/B000F79022/ref=pd_cp_hi_1?pf_rd_p=413863601&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000UBF4K0&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=05YZC1E8ZKV768SX09P6
   I should be paid for a bathroom tiling job this week, and you all have sold me on investing in the Jets (even though the soon to be replaced Bessey's are on now sale just about everywhere)!

1. 
   BruceS | Aug 18, 2008 04:51am | #12

   FYI,  I have sent in an E-mail to Jet to complain about the price jump.  And how they are forcing me to go back to the Jorgies when I need more clamps. But maybe that's not all bad, after all they are made in the good old USofA.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 19, 2008 08:45am | #17

   Given how much the price of steel has gone up in the last 5 years, it's no surprise that the price of clamps has also gone up.  I don't understand when, in this environment (cost of many raw materials skyrocketing), people complain to a company about raising their prices a lousy 10% or so.  Sorry, Bruce, I'm being grumpy, but really.....forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 20, 2008 03:21am | #23

   Sorry, Bruce, I'm being grumpy, When my wife was, I KNEW she was serious on the subject she had!

2. 
   forestgirl | Aug 19, 2008 08:51am | #18

   The best sale on that set was the $99 special at Rockler in the fall of 2006.  That's when I sold my business and let out the leash on the wallet a bit.  Didn't expect to ever see them close to that price again.

   It sounds like enough people have bought the Jets that they're starting to develop a good reputation.  It was slow going in the beginning, methinks.

   What got me to buying a few more was having to drag out 40" clamps when I only needed 24".  Thank heaven for sales.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   heartwould | Aug 19, 2008 02:34pm | #20

   FG, here is my sad tale: I went to Rockler yesterday and there was not a Jet clamp to be had in the store. The guy on duty told me that he had been on vacation for two weeks and didn't know anything about them.
   So, being the impatient sort, not too pleased with the Rockler man's lack of zeal and wanting to get to the glue up for my current project, I drove over to Woodcraft where they not only had the Bessey "K's" at 25% off, they were in stock. (Having a $15 off coupon helped as well).
   So, I'm sure that the day will come when I again have the opportunity to try the Jets, but for the moment I have reinvested in Bessey. Shame on me for not being patient.

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 19, 2008 06:38pm | #21

   Well, Heart, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.  It's not like the Besseys don't work, LOL!  Be kind to them, they'll do fine, you may come to love them despite their shortcomings.  (ooo, over-the-top)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   Bubbadaylily | Aug 18, 2008 04:42am | #11

   Paddy,Thanks for your time and interest. In fact, thanks to each and every person who gave advice. I particularly appreciated hearing from the Forestgirl-I bought a set of Jet 40"ers from Amazon.Jim

8. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 18, 2008 06:05pm | #13

   I went looking for Bessy clamps and my local Rockler (yes I know.. But I like them!) did not have any. I think I recreantly posted someplace. Maybe to Forrest? That I bought the JET ones they had.

   I checked out all I bought (at the store) with a good 45 degree angle and all were OK.

   All I can say they worked for me.. No gripes at all. Yes, I have used them.

   You may want to take a quality 45 angle with you to check.

   EDIT: I got a rebate for two 12"? clamps for each 'kit' I bought (two of them) and some 50 inch to round out the package.

   The 'kits' give you a good price plus some wonderful red cups the hold the clamps off the surface they are on.. I love em!..

   
   

   ---

   Edited 8/18/2008 11:11 am by WillGeorge

1. 
   nboucher | Aug 18, 2008 07:30pm | #14

   As good as the parallel jet clamps are, I LOVE their "Deep Throat Speed Bar" clamps:http://www.woodworkersshop.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPRODGROUP&ID=59Norman

1. 
   heartwould | Aug 18, 2008 09:03pm | #15

   Did you get the deep throats online or from a store?

1. 
   nboucher | Aug 18, 2008 09:29pm | #16

   I got them from that site I linked to, Woodworkers Shop. Although they haven't done it in a while, they occasionally had a free shipping promo on Jet clamps. I would wait for one of those and pounce.

2. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 20, 2008 03:18am | #22

   Not knocking this post..

   But the length of the reach looks about the same (IN A PICTURE) that the clamps I mentioned and a bit stronger.. Still Jets..

    

9. 
   paulsomlo | Aug 19, 2008 10:45am | #19

   I just bought some Bessey K-body clamps from Lowes; $36 for the 40 inch.

10. 
    BrianDerr | Aug 20, 2008 06:35am | #24

    JET! I have eight in various sizes, and eight more are on the list.

    Brian