Any deals on clamps out there?

[Ben Martin]

Does anyone know of any sales on clamps going on now? I have looked and haven't been able to come up with much. I am looking to invest in parralel bar clamps, preferably the Jets. I see that they have the factory rebate event going on now, but I can get them cheap on Amazon. I was looking at the cabinet door set as a way to get 4 clamps for the price of 2...

[Greg Muller]

I bought a few sets of the Jet cabinet door set from Amazon and will probably buy more. I LOVE those clamps and the setup.

There is no better deal for quality parallel clamps anywhere right now.

Greg

[Lance Norris]

I bought a few sets of the Jet cabinet door set from Amazon and will probably buy more. I LOVE those clamps and the setup.

There is no better deal for quality parallel clamps anywhere right now.

Greg

I agree with Greg about the set and Amazon. I have bought 4 sets from Amazon, and many singles, and with free shipping Amazon cant be beat on price.

[Lance Norris]

Here is cheap if you are trying to save money. I dont have any experience with these, but if you are thinking of these, go into the store and try each one before you buy them. Harbor Freight quality is hit or miss even on items of the same type. I recommend the Jet parallel clamp though.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93875

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93877

[Keith Beck]

I just bought the Jet Cabinet Door Set and a pair of 50" Jets for $208. So, that gives me a pair of 24", a pair of 40" and a pair of 50" for around $34 each (not counting the bench dogs and framing blocks). Not too bad for the Jets. I usually try to wait until a good sale on them before ordering, but I needed the longer ones for a project. Of course, they're now back-ordered, so that didn't work out too well. :D

I've got Jorgies, Gros Stabils, Besseys and the Woodcraft green Besseys in addition to some Jets, and the Jets will be the only kind I buy from now on. I just think they're a much better clamp.

Keith

[Greg Muller]

Lance,
I saw a pile of the Harbor Freight versions at my local store when I went in there to buy sandpaper. I thought they might be okay. I found 3 in the pile of about 15 that didn't accidently release when bumped. I took those 3 home, but returned them a week later because the outer piece came loose on one and so didn't stay parallel. I know there are HF Gems, but this isn't one of them.

Greg

[Lance Norris]

Keith did you know there is an extender for the Bessey K-body clamp? This will help until you get your longer Jets.

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/12497

It also can be used with the Jet parallel clamp by just slightly drilling out the hole in the end of the bar.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=67765

[Lance Norris]

Lance,
I saw a pile of the Harbor Freight versions at my local store when I went in there to buy sandpaper. I thought they might be okay. I found 3 in the pile of about 15 that didn't accidently release when bumped. I took those 3 home, but returned them a week later because the outer piece came loose on one and so didn't stay parallel. I know there are HF Gems, but this isn't one of them.

Greg

My experience with HF hasnt been trouble free either.

[Keith Beck]

Keith did you know there is an extender for the Bessey K-body clamp? This will help until you get your longer Jets.

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/12497

It also can be used with the Jet parallel clamp by just slightly drilling out the hole in the end of the bar.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=67765

Lance,

That's very interesting! Thanks for the heads up. Since I don't have a Hartville store around here, I just wonder if I can get the extenders before my order from Amazon shows up. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a few on standby for the really long projects anyways.

Thanks again!

Keith

[Lance Norris]

Lance,

Since I don't have a Hartville store around here, I just wonder if I can get the extenders before my order from Amazon shows up.
Keith

Hartville is the cheapest right now, but I know Woodcraft has them as well. Its a Bessey product, so finding it wont be a problem.

[Keith Beck]

Hartville is the cheapest right now, but I know Woodcraft has them as well. Its a Bessey product, so finding it wont be a problem.

Aha! Thanks again for the info. That's why I love coming here!

Keith

[Ben Martin]

Thanks for the advice guys, it looks like I am going to place an order with Amazon and take the advice on the extender to save some money by not having to buy many longer clamps.

[Doyle Alley]

The best deal on Harbor Freight clamps (that actually work) I've found is their traditional wood clamps. I picked up a pair of the 12" ones a few weeks ago for $4.99 each. To me, they work just as good as the $20 Jorgies.

[Ben Martin]

I just check Amazon and the Jet clamp set is down to $126.55 from $129.99 just a bit ago. I will wait and see if this means that the price is going to drop. Amazon pricing makes no sense, it is like the stock market...

[Lance Norris]

Ive bought 4 sets of these through Amazon and I think I got 2 sets for $119 each. Rockler had them for $99+shipping a year or so ago. The third set I bought in Oct 07 and I've been watching for a deal since then. This is the first price drop since, and its only $3.44