Replies

1. 
   dustinf | May 17, 2005 04:44am | #1

   http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000ER5B5.01-A2N6NO8W19JCUN._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

   I use bessey.  I buy them whenever I have the chance, and try to add one on to every mail order tool purchase.   I probably have 30 by now scattered between job site, and shop.  I don't think I could ever go back to pipe clamps.

1. 
   woodworker418 | May 17, 2005 05:08am | #2

   I just ordered some bessey k-bodies from rockler, which is offering i believe 2 24's and 2 40's, plus a pack of 4 of the plastic jaw thingies (sorry, i can't recall what they are called), for i believe something like $119 (vs. over 180 if purchased separately normal street prices).  I didn't do the exact math, but I think that this comes to 40% off list.  I ordered two sets the other day, haven't seen them yet, but rockler is very good to do business with.  tony.

   Edited 5/16/2005 10:11 pm ET by tony

1. 
   dustinf | May 17, 2005 05:18am | #4

   Thanks for the heads up.

2. 
   Olebiker | May 18, 2005 07:54pm | #16

   "I just ordered some bessey k-bodies from rockler, which is offering i believe 2 24's and 2 40's, plus a pack of 4 of the plastic jaw thingies "

   Mine came in yesterday.  I can't wait to try them out on some drawers.  These are the first Bessey K-Body clamps I have ever bought.  I am looking forwand to not having to fight with the pipe clamps anymore.

1. 
   woodworker418 | May 19, 2005 01:04am | #18

   me too, mine came yesterday, probably won't get to use them though for a few weeks due to business travel.  the deal, btw, was actually a bit better than i originally reported, 40% off normal rockler prices, and probably more than that off suggested list.  true you have to want the sizes in the kits along with the blocks, but when you are starting with nothing (like me), anything works, which is why i picked up two sets! 

2. 
   woodshaver | May 17, 2005 05:11am | #3

   hi RJT, i like to use the old no longer available record#135 bar clamps, i got  lucky and bought a bunch on e-bay, i sure wish they would start making them again, I also use 3/4" pipe clamps, and some bessys.

        take care wood shaver

3. 
   nikkiwood | May 17, 2005 05:47am | #5

   Over time, I have had just about all the different types of big clamps -- I-beam, pipe, etc.

   But over the last 10 years, I have gradually replaced them all with K-bodies. I even bought a bunch of the 12" ers -- which I use as a kind of super c-clamp.

   I kept a bunch op 3/4" pipe clamps around, since they are really great for those times when you need really long clamps (by screwing the pipe sections together).

   ********************************************************
   "I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong."
   -- Bertrand Russell

4. 
   forestgirl | May 17, 2005 05:55am | #6

   I can't handle the weight and awkardness of pipe clamps, gave up on 'em a long time ago.  I use aluminum bar clamps predominantly, because most of the items are not large enough to require full-blown K-body clamps.  Shop Fox makes decent aluminum bar clamps at a good price.

   Got 4 Jorgenson Cabinetmaster's (48" and 36" ??) when they had their big anniversary sale a couple years ago.  Couldn't pass up half-price!  I love Quick Clamps for general grab-it chores, but don't trust them to keep something at 90* when needed.

   For a strap-clamp, the Lee Valley is great!  It's only $8.50, has better corners than the Pony and easier to use.  You can also buy different kinds of corners for it.  Check out these variable angle corners.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

5. 
   JeffHeath | May 17, 2005 06:16am | #7

   RJT

   I used to use bar (pony) clamps.  About 4 years ago, I bought several bessey K-body clamps, and only use the bar clamps for long, long, clamping situations.

   2 weeks ago, I took advantage of the sale at Woodcraft for the black and yellow ones just like bessey(forgot the name), and bought 5 boxes.   I've been using them alot, and they're great.  They don't slide and bite the fingers, if you know what I mean.

   Jeff 

6. 
   hammer1 | May 17, 2005 08:06am | #8

   I've got a lot of 3/4" Jorgenson pipe clamps. I put a couple of six inch pieces of foam pipe insulation on each pipe. This adds a soft surface and keeps the pipes from touching the work. The foam is loose so it can slide or come off as needed. I can push the bar right up tight when clamping underneath a panel and not worry about a glue reaction with the metal.

   The best c-clamps I own are also Jorgenson. They are the type with the squarish frame. These don't twist your work like so many of the cheap ones.

   The most versatile and best working clamps I own are some Wextler F-clamps. Unlike Besseys and others, there are no serrations on the back of the bar or clutch so they don't get stuck, abrade materials or pinch fingers. This was one the best purchases I ever made many years ago. They still work like they came out of the box and the paint is still on the handles. Close to 35 years of abuse and unspeakable torture.

   I also have a bunch of clamps that don't come off the rack until all the good ones are being used. The Quick grips are good for hanging your hat on. !/2" pipes are useless to me. It's hard to pass up the deals on cheap C- clamps but so many have rough threads, sharp edges, non functioning swivels, screws at an angle, etc. that they aren't really a deal. I'm not a big fan of the cam type clamps, getting the grip just right often takes a second try. I haven't met a bar clamp that I like, including Wextlers, but the Jorgenson I beams are OK if you aren't sloppy with the glue.

   My Bosch slider came with a hold down cam clamp. This has proved to be a great clamp around the shop. It will slip into the holes in my work bench, it can mount on a miter bar or drill press fence, saw horse, wherever there is a hole.

   Spring clamps come in handy. A pair of wood screw clamps is always good to have for their versatility. I have a web clamp with corner blocks that can wrap around various shapes or frames. I also have some surgical tubing which is great for chair work. The clamping accessories are important too, it's good to have some straight cauls, corner blocks and non marring pads ready to go.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   RJT | May 18, 2005 01:58am | #11

   That surgical tubing is fantastic like you said for chairs, I use to have some but it deteriated and got tossed. Where can one get that?

1. 
   hammer1 | May 18, 2005 05:19am | #12

   Surgical tubing can be bought at medical supply houses, good place to pick up nitrile gloves, tweezers, syringes, and other things too.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   forestgirl | May 18, 2005 06:26pm | #15

   Another source for surgical tubing is Lee Valley.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

7. 
   BarryO | May 17, 2005 10:37am | #9

   Like others, I've slowly migrated away from things like pipe clamps to K-body's.  I originally thought I'd never spend that much on a clamp, but they work great.

   Everytime I get a discount coupon in the mail from Rockler, it gos toward a K-body.  Home Depot cleared out their inventory about a year ago, and trips to the 3 nearest HD's yielded some great deals.  And when a loved one wants to know what WW thingie they can get me for an Xmas or birthday gift, I tell them one can never have too many clamps; "just ask the sales clerk for a K-body".  I have about 20 by now, and a motly collection of other types.

1. 
   Wolfman | May 17, 2005 03:49pm | #10

   Much like BarryO, I took advantage of HD's clearance of Bessey clamps. I have several sizes of the K-body's and many different sizes of the F style. I have about seven HD's within a half hour of my house, and I hit 'em all. I still look everytime I go to HD, just to see if anything was returned or just turns up. A couple of weeks ago I found one that had three six inch F clamps. I don't have a lot of need for the six inch ones, but I took them up to the register for a price check anyway, they were $0.01 each! I told the woman that she may as well give them to me. I looked in my wallet, all I had was a twenty. This great woman takes a nickel out of her pocket and buys them for me!

   B.O.B.

8. 
   GHR | May 18, 2005 08:54am | #13

   I use clamps that suit the job.

   Harbor Freight (40) 6" and (20) 12" clamps: for most laminating I do.
   (20) 18", (20) 24" and (20) 30": for assembing chairs and tables.

   (30) 3/4" pipe clamps with (10) 1' pipes: for highly bent laminates.
   With (10) 20" and (10) 40" pipes: for panels.
   With (4) 60", and (4) 80" pipes: for casework.

   (20) 1"x3" deep throat and (20) 1" "C" clamps, (120) 1" plastic spring clamps, (200) ACCO paper binders, green masking tape, (20) 15' strap clamps and (100) oak wedges: for curved panels.

   (10) toggle clamps: for fixtures.

   And then there are buckets of other clamps that I use where the other clamps don't work.

1. 
   BenM | May 18, 2005 08:00pm | #17

   By my count you have over 350 clamps.  Very impressive, it must make quite a wall display.  Do you have a photo you can share?  Thanks.

1. 
   GHR | May 19, 2005 02:57am | #21

   The following link shows some of the clamps in my upstairs shop.http://www.robertscpa.com/kayaks/drop_leaf_tables_low.JPGThe drywall bucket that is just visible has spring clamps in it. There are a few other buckets back there with other small clamps. My strap clamps are in the canoe. My pipe clamps are under a different bench. I have pile of clamps under my bench and a pile downstairs.Looks like there are 19 bar clamps from Penn State Industries, 16 real light duty bar clamps next to them, and some of the little "C" clamps sitting on the shaft of another of the Penn bar clamps. The link also shows 4 table tops, a bit of the seats for 24 chairs to go with, and a few old boats on the wall.Sorry I don't have a better picture.

1. 
   BenM | May 19, 2005 02:22pm | #22

   Thanks!

9. 
   Ricks503 | May 18, 2005 03:24pm | #14

   I have a motley collection too.

   C clamps,  Jorgensen wood F clamps in various sizes, Some alum bar clamps, Quick Clamps,  Steel bar clamps, Spring clamps ( the onesa that work like clothes pins - come to think I have even used clothes pins), strap clamps, corner clamps Face Frame clamps and K body clamps.

    

   FWW had a review on the K body clamps and the they are all good - get what has the best price - Bessy, Jorgensen or the Gros Stabil (black and orange ones mentioned above) I have some of each and all are good - Woodcraft had a sale on the Gros Stabil clamps a little while back and I picked up 3,  Picked up some Bessys when HD wahs getting rid of them and some Jorgensen with agood deal on eBay.

   I have been known to use large rubber bands and even hemp rope with a winding bar to tighten it.  In short what ever works for what I need done.

   I stay away ffrom the knock off quick clamps - they do not hold diddly

   1 - measure the board twice

   2 - cut it once

   3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go

   4 - get a new board and go back to step 1

10. 
    TomHigby | May 19, 2005 01:15am | #19

    None of your respondents mentioned the old fashioned but very useful  wood jawed clamps with double wood threaded screws.  I use them more than any other kind. They can be bought at antique stores, but they are not difficult to make.  I've turned the screws out of hickory and made jaws of maple.  I have one large enough that I have to be careful not to hit myself on the jaw as I unscrew it.  These clamps are capable of great force.

    Tom

1. 
   BillLindau | May 19, 2005 02:24am | #20

   My favorite clamp is a Wetzler quick action, 7" jaw depth and 5/8" screw diameter.