Clamps for Bowclamps

[David Arbogast]

I really like my Bowclamps (http://www.bowclamp.com/) and they work best with F-Style clamps. I have an nice assortment of Bessey's including some Tradesmans, but many of my Bessey F-clamps are just too light duty and I'm looking to add to my clamp collection with a bit more clamping power. I especially noticed the feebleness of my clamps when the bars were flexing on a wide glue-up this past weekend. So, I've been looking at these medium power ones from Bessey: http://tinyurl.com/29acc7x (http://tinyurl.com/29acc7x). Has anyone used these? Do you like 'em? Do you feel the medium-duties offer plenty of clamping force (1000-1300 lbs.) or is there some reason I should go with the heavy duty ones (1540 lbs.)?

What clamps do you prefer using with your Bowclamps?

[glenn bradley]

I use Jorgie's 3700HD series. The Bessy's would probably be fine as well but I'll let someone who owns them speak to that. Don't get me wrong, I love my Bessey's. I prefer the clutch plates when I am using the cauls as there is less of a juggling act going on while aligning things but that could just be me ;-)

[Roger Benton]

i don't own any bowclamp products but i have an arsenal of shop made curved cauls which i use all the time. I have bessey tradesmans and jorgy 3700's, of which i just barely prefer the besseys but i have to say for this type of operation the wetzler quick clamps are my hands down favorite. be forewarned, they are huge, heavy and apparently they can take quite some time to arrive once ordered. but they will survive a lifetime of merciless use.

as for the besseys in your link, personally i would skip the "medium" stuff and go right for the "heavy duty" stuff. Clamps are so bleeding expensive (considering too many is rarely enough), they should all be worthy of any task. just my two cents.

[Abi Parris]

+1 on Wetzler clamps.

[David Arbogast]

Thanks for all the tips! I hadn't heard of Wetzler before, so I'll definitely give them a good strong look; especially after getting two strong thumbs-up.

[Paul Johnstone]

I made my own cauls.. I use Bessey K-bodies for mine, simply because that's what I have. I know the bowclamp has a groove for F style clamps, but I really like the K-body style and I find them very versatile. Probably a little bit more expensive too.

[Chris Padilla]

I use my Bessey K-bodies with my Bowclamps. Here is an example: click (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=92396)