Woodworking Clamps

[Creeker]

Anyone know of a good (cheap) source for bar clamps? I'm looking for something like the Bessey clamps to hold rabbetted joints together while glue sets.
http://www.toolking.com/besseyclamps_lm3.030.aspx
http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/search.exe?BP=1
or these
http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/search.exe?BP=1

The last look pretty cool...

 

[splitshot]

www.woodworkerssource.com

I have found that you cannot have enough clamps.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Clamps & cheap really don't go together.

My suggestion is buy the Bessy K-clamp set.
http://www.amazon.com/Bessey-KBK244...82-8888062?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1189625468&sr=1-1

It's a little cheaper, but not much. It's been my experience over the past 10yrs that clamps rarely go on sale. A few years back Home Depot for what ever reason decided to clearance their 30" 48" Jorgensen steel bar K-clamps. I went too the nearest three Home Depots and negotiated with the various on duty managers a seriously reduced price if I were to take everything they had. Before the day was done I had scored around $2000.00 worth of clamps for around $800.00.

It was a nice addition to all the Bessy's I already had.

The best all around clamps in my opinion though are by far I beam's. Very nice clamps with the clamping pressure of pipe clamps.

 

[76FJ40]

Tractor Supply sells chink knock offs cheap.

 

[Creeker]

Clamps & cheap really don't go together.

My suggestion is buy the Bessy K-clamp set.
http://www.amazon.com/Bessey-KBK244...82-8888062?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1189625468&sr=1-1

It's a little cheaper, but not much. It's been my experience over the past 10yrs that clamps rarely go on sale. A few years back Home Depot for what ever reason decided to clearance their 30" 48" Jorgensen steel bar K-clamps. I went too the nearest three Home Depots and negotiated with the various on duty managers a seriously reduced price if I were to take everything they had. Before the day was done I had scored around $2000.00 worth of clamps for around $800.00.

It was a nice addition to all the Bessy's I already had.

The best all around clamps in my opinion though are by far I beam's. Very nice clamps with the clamping pressure of pipe clamps.

I know what you mean about clamps not going on sale. I've been surfing around the internets, and thought maybe I was missing something.

That Amazon offer looks like a great set for a good price. Do you have them? Can you really clamp without blocks and not mar the wood?

 

[Creeker]

www.woodworkerssource.com

I have found that you cannot have enough clamps.

Yeah, I sure DON'T have enough. Not that I'm doing any big production, but I spend a lot of time twiddling my thumbs waiting for glue to dry.

 

[Cookiemonster]

I picked up two sets (from a Rockler retail store) identical to those on Amazon, and I love them. When I first saw the blocks I honestly thought I would end up throwing them out. This has not been the case however. I've found them a great help in being able to square up drawer & door assemblies during glue up.

There are two channel depths which allow one set of clamps to sit lower than the others thus allowing a much easier glue up.

I highly recommend them.

 

[RHINO]

i typically dont do cheap stuff, but i found myself in need of some shallow clamps a few years ago, (instead of the deep kind that i have a ton of) i decided to give these a try and i actually like them, they are cheaply made but they work well and have a positive catch for a secure clamp.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38184

 

[reffug]

Clamps & cheap really don't go together.

So true..................

 

[Trollhole]

I'm a pipe clamp kind of guy. Best part is I can make them as long as I want.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16898&cookietest=1

As you can see they are not a priority right now.

 

[Creeker]

I'm a pipe clamp kind of guy. Best part is I can make them as long as I want.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16898&cookietest=1

As you can see they are not a priority right now.

I thought about going that route, but read some comments that complained about twisting out of parallel under pressure. I already have that problem with some cheapo bar clamps that I have.

Have you noticed any twisting?

 

[Trollhole]

Depends on how much you crank on them. Firm pressure is all I need since I use a joiner for all my edges. I've had good luck with them. But it's all about the money.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Like Trollhole said just enough pressure to hold.

There was an article a while back in Finewoodworking, that went through the technology of clamps, and the advantages & disadvantages of variying clamp styles.

They also addressed the issue regarding how much to tighten a work piece. The recommendation was to snug it up else the potential of twisting & bowing may occur.

I've experienced both due to over tightening pieces with bar clamps. But as with most tools, your choice of clamp(s) should directly reflect the application it is to be used for. There really is no one catch-all clamp.

 

[archie]

I find that ratchet straps (the kind you use for holding down equipment on a Pick up truck) will fill in for clamps. Use it for cabinets and furniture that has curved edges. Using strong rope in a tourniquet fashion with a dowel/pole will also help cut down the clamp inventory. Old tire inner tubes cut into long rubber bands with various widths will also aid in holding things down. Just some other options when running out of clamps and having abnormal clamping surfaces.

 

[Creeker]

Thanks all. I pulled the trigger on the Bessey cabinet clamp set; can't wait to get it.

 

[reffug]

Thanks all. I pulled the trigger on the Bessey cabinet clamp set; can't wait to get it.

Where did you finally buy from?

Did you get a good or what could be classified (where clamps are concerned) as a good deal?

 

[landtank]

I have quite a few of these clamps

My father had pipe clamps and they really suck at staying straight. These I beams clamps really do a nice job especially if you are clamping large surfaces together for table tops and the like.

 

[Creeker]

Where did you finally buy from?

Did you get a good or what could be classified (where clamps are concerned) as a good deal?

I followed Cookiemonster's link. It was the best deal for what I was looking for. I still want to get 4 quick clamps at about 8" to 12", but I want to see the Besseys first.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

I'm a pipe clamp kind of guy. Best part is I can make them as long as I want.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16898&cookietest=1

As you can see they are not a priority right now.

I agree. Have always just bought the Pony brand myself. A few sets have worked wonders. Much better then ones mounted to their own bars. Using iron pipe you rarely have a problem with bending.