parallel clamps

[rich murray]

A quick search has me thinking Jet is the favored parallel clamp. Does anyone know first-hand about Woodriver parallel clamps? Also Gramercy Tools is having a sale on aluminmum bar clamps through August, not parallel, but their light weight is a real plus. I have a few Besseys, and like them, but am in the market for more parallel clamps and wanted your opinions.

[Andrew Rogove]

I have Jets and the clamps from peachtree, parallel pro I thikn. The jets are soooo much better, heavier, larger clamps with apparentloy more clamping force, though I've never measured them. You will not go wrong with Jets.

[Jack Ellis]

I have the HF aluminum bar clamps and a bunch of parallel clamps (Jorgensen and Bessey).

If parts fit properly, you should not need a lot of clamping force. If they don't fit, powerful clamps allow you to help things along.

I use both - the parallel clamps to help keep things square, and the bar clamps to provide even clamping pressure along glue lines.

[Mike Heidrick]

I own Jorgys, Jets, Besseys (K2s, K3s, and now Revos). I find there are times when I like the trigger of the Jet clamps and sometimes I just like the free slide of the Jorgys and others. Usually grab the Jorgys - I have a ton of them because I like the guys that make them.

If you will only own 8 - buy the same brand. If you will own 80 - buy a couple different types.

[Jim Foster]

I have a number of Bessey's (k-body and Revo) and like them a lot, but don't have any other brands. How do you compare them against the Jet? I need to get some more and was going to just get Bessey.


I own Jorgys, Jets, Besseys (K2s, K3s, and now Revos). I find there are times when I like the trigger of the Jet clamps and sometimes I just like the free slide of the Jorgys and others. Usually grab the Jorgys - I have a ton of them because I like the guys that make them.

If you will only own 8 - buy the same brand. If you will own 80 - buy a couple different types.

[John Keeton]

I think I recall the last time I was at Woodcraft the Woodriver clamps indicated they were mfgrd by Bessey for Woodcraft. Could be wrong, but that is my recollection. Not sure that means anything?!?!

[glenn bradley]

I've tried others but have kept the K-bodys. They're lighter, easy to operate and reliable. I don't have any of the Revos and tend to pick up the old style when I find them at a good price. I assume they will eventually be gone ;-(

As stated, if you'll eventually have 80, I would try different ones now to decide for yourself. If you'll only get 8 I (and I'm not you) would get six 24" and two 31" Bessey K-bodys.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Jets are great. The trigger release allows 1 hand adjustment, and does not allow the clamp to free slide and smash your finger. You may or may not want that feature. (free-sliding, not finger-smashing)

As mentioned above, whatever you buy, if you have 8, buy the same brand, if more, buy different ones. They all have different features. None of them are junk.

[Frank Drew]

I've only used Bessey k-body parallel clamps and like them a good deal; others here post similarly positive comments about Jets.

I used Pony pipe clamps, then heavy-duty Jorgensen and Record (T-beam and regular) for years before getting the Besseys, but starting all over I'd load up on Besseys (or Jets, perhaps). I find them more versatile and efficient than the other clamps I've had.

[Robert Strebler]

I have Jets and Stanleys. I like them both very much, but reach for the Jets first.

[Dave Sweeney]

Jet parallel clamps are my first choice.

[Cody Colston]

I have Bessey K-Bodies, Jorgy F-Style bar clamps, Pony 3/4" and 1/2" pipe clamps and quick-grip clamps. I always reach for the Besseys first.

I got a promo e-mail today from Peachtree offering 4 x 15" Bessey Revos at 50% off...I bit. :)

[Dave Bureau]

I have jets and besseys. the jets have it all over the besseys

[Chris Kennedy]

I think I recall the last time I was at Woodcraft the Woodriver clamps indicated they were mfgrd by Bessey for Woodcraft. Could be wrong, but that is my recollection. Not sure that means anything?!?!

The old Woodcraft brand was definitely manufactured by Bessey, and they claimed there was no difference except color and possibly the jaws weren't as deep. I assume the rebranded Woodriver are the same.

Cheers,

Chris

[Jason White]

Definitely FALSE!

The "Woodcraft" clamps were not at all the same as the Bessey K-bodies. While they were technically "manufactured" by Bessey (so the claims said), they were actually made in India while the real Besseys (the better quality red ones) are made in Germany.

I've also seen some complaints here and other forums about the green Woodcraft-Bessey clamps. Can't remember what exactly the complaints were, however.




The old Woodcraft brand was definitely manufactured by Bessey, and they claimed there was no difference except color and possibly the jaws weren't as deep. I assume the rebranded Woodriver are the same.

Cheers,

Chris

[Frank Drew]

I have jets and besseys. the jets have it all over the besseys

Dave,

I've never used Jets so this is simply a question: How are Jets better? I never noticed anything I would have changed about the k-bodies, so I'm curious what makes Jets so much better. TIA.

[Jeff Duncan]

I own a fair amount of different clamps, (well over 80 anyway), the ones I reach for the most are the Bessey's, just a good general purpose clamp. Can't say I've ever had one crush, or even squeeze a finger, not sure how that happens:confused: For heavier stuff I have some older Jorgy I beams and Hartford bar clamps. For longer stuff the pipe clamps. I tried the Jorgy bar clamps and did not care for them at all, haven't tried the Jet, and at this point don't have a strong need to anyway:D
As long as they're well made I don't think you'll go wrong with either of them.
good luck,
JeffD

[rich murray]

Thanks to everyone for your input. It's so nice to have access to a group with hands-on knowledge.

[Rob Price]

I would consider parallel clamps and aluminum bar clamps to be different beasts. I have several Rockler aluminum bar clamps, great for panel glue-ups, doors, etc. Light weight so you can put a bunch on a panel and still move it around. I took a quick look at the woodcraft site, the only aluminum bar clamps I could find looked pretty generic, and had no feet. I prefer the Rockler bar clamps.

For larger carcass type work I like the parallel clamps. Square, tons of force, etc. Heavier, but usually I'm not trying to move the assembly once it's glued up. I have Irwin clamps and Bessey Revos. The Irwin clamps are heavier, but take several turns of the handle to tighten or loosen, vs the Bessey which are lighter and tighten/loosen very easily. But both get the job done. I bought each set on sale.

Now that I think about it, I've waited for sales on all my clamps. Amazon has good bundles on clamps as well.

So get both...

[Pat Germain]

Dave,

I've never used Jets so this is simply a question: How are Jets better? I never noticed anything I would have changed about the k-bodies, so I'm curious what makes Jets so much better. TIA.

I have some JET and Bessey parallel clamps. (Of course, not enough of either!)

The JET clamps have slightly larger jaws, which is nice. I also like the clamping mechanism on the JET clamp. When I'm using the Besseys, I often have to futz with them in order to get them to bite. That is, I'm turning the handle, but the jaw is just sliding back as I do so. Then I have to back the handle off and try again. I'm sure there's a technique to prevent this. But I've never had this problem with the JET clamps. The JETs are a little heavier-duty overall.

I'm actually very happy with both the JET and Bessey clamps. As I recall, the Besseys are a little less expensive, which is nice. And I got mine on sale at Woodcraft, which is even better!

[Frank Drew]

Thanks, Pat.