Bent Bessey K Body

[John Sanford]

I just acquired a pair of Bessey 40" K-Body clamps (1st generation), and on one of them the bar is bent at about the 30"+ mark. Any suggestions on
Straightening the bar
Drilling holes in the ends of the bars so I can attach the fancy stand-up feets that Bessey added later.

[John Fabre]

John, I would cut it off at the bend, it'll end up bending anyway when clamping.

[Matt Meiser]

I was going to suggest the same. I have a set of Jorgies that I got cheaper than I could buy 12" for that planning to cut off to 12". I'd use my 4x6 metal bandsaw but a reciprocating saw or even a hacksaw should work just fine..

[Van Huskey]

I was going to suggest the same. I have a set of Jorgies that I got cheaper than I could buy 12" for that planning to cut off to 12". I'd use my 4x6 metal bandsaw but a reciprocating saw or even a hacksaw should work just fine..

+1 or is it +2. I have bought long clamps more than once with the plans to cut them off. Occasionally I have found the long versions on sale cheaper than the shorter versions as well.

[Joe Jensen]

I just drilled 32 Bessey bars to take the black plastic feet for the ends. The hole is a 21/32" bit. I ended up buying one from Amazon made by Champion. It is their Black Gold. Holy Cow, what an amazing drill bit. Wish all mine were of that quality.

[Chris Nolin]

Where would I look to find these "fancy stand up feets" for my old Besseys? Amazon? What are they really called? I didn't even know this was an option, but I would love to upgrade them so they don't tip over!

[Dan West02]

Where would I look to find these "fancy stand up feets" for my old Besseys? Amazon? What are they really called? I didn't even know this was an option, but I would love to upgrade them so they don't tip over!

I just sent an e-mail (or phoned - don't remember which) to Bessey and asked if I could buy some of the feet. The nice lady just asked for my mailing address and how many I needed. She sent them free, not even any shipping cost. They came with and instruction sheet showing the size of the hole and where to locate it. I don't know if they still do that or not. I did mine a couple of years ago.

[Chris Nolin]

I'll give that a try. Thanks, Dan!

[Joe Jensen]

Where would I look to find these "fancy stand up feets" for my old Besseys? Amazon? What are they really called? I didn't even know this was an option, but I would love to upgrade them so they don't tip over!

Bessey sells them in packs of 4. Part number Bessey KBTP-4 K Body REVO Accessory - KBTP-4 End Clips (classic style) (http://www.weldfabulous.com/Shop/Control/fp/SFV/32435/vpid/8912886/vpcsid/0)

[Jay Jeffery]

You could cut the bent part off and get and extender to put it back together when you need some extra length. Sears often has the extender in the Craftsman brand for $10 or less but normal price is about the same as the Bessey branded.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00931380000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

They also sell the bars a la carte.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00931383000P?prdNo=13&blockNo=13&blockType=G13
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00931384000P?prdNo=14&blockNo=14&blockType=G14
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00931385000P?prdNo=15&blockNo=15&blockType=G15

The larger Bessey Tradesman clamps have the same rails, too.