bushwacked Posted May 20, 2018 Report Share Posted May 20, 2018 With my bday money I was planning on updating to some bessey clamps to help add to my collection. My gift card is to HD, so here is my issue ... I already have 4 50" and 4 24" .. however nothing in between or smaller. I was curious if it would be a good idea to pay $5 more than 50" and get some less powerful 36" Jr clamps, or just get more 50 and 24? I would think 18" is too small but maybe having like 2 of those would be beneficial for rare occasions?? Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keggers Posted May 20, 2018 Report Share Posted May 20, 2018 My thoughts are that it depends on what you'll be building. Have you found a need for shorter clamps in the past? If so, then the 18" might be the way to go. The longer clamps can do the work of smaller clamps but it sure is hard to stretch those short clamps when you're needing long ones. Not much help am I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted May 20, 2018 Report Share Posted May 20, 2018 Most of my clamps are Jet ranging for 12" to 40" and most are 24". But I do have 4 each of the 18 " and 24" K-Body Revo Jr.'s that probably get used just as much as the Jets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted May 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2018 3 minutes ago, Keggers said: My thoughts are that it depends on what you'll be building. Have you found a need for shorter clamps in the past? If so, then the 18" might be the way to go. The longer clamps can do the work of smaller clamps but it sure is hard to stretch those short clamps when you're needing long ones. Not much help am I? haha, ya its tough ... I have found myself needing a 25" clamp quite a bit and so I am stuck with my 40" Jets. That is why I was thinking maybe something in the middle of the bigger sizes. Just not sure 4" shorter for $5 more than a 50" is actually worth it. 2 minutes ago, Chet said: Most of my clamps are Jet ranging for 12" to 40" and most are 24". But I do have 4 each of the 18 " and 24" K-Body Revo Jr.'s that probably get used just as much as the Jets. mainly my jets are 24-40 from the half off sales, but those seem to be no longer happening which sucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted May 20, 2018 Report Share Posted May 20, 2018 The newest version of the Bessey K body has several new features. More clamping pressure, head won't slide down on its own when you really don't want it to, a hex hole in the handle so you can tighten with a wrench. I think the 24" ones clamp up to 25 1/2". The K body Jr's biggest appeal to me is weight when I go to grab more than one at a time, or need to move a clamped up assembly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted May 20, 2018 Report Share Posted May 20, 2018 1 hour ago, wdwerker said: The newest version of the Bessey K body has several new features. More clamping pressure, head won't slide down on its own when you really don't want it to, a hex hole in the handle so you can tighten with a wrench. I think the 24" ones clamp up to 25 1/2". The K body Jr's biggest appeal to me is weight when I go to grab more than one at a time, or need to move a clamped up assembly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted May 20, 2018 Report Share Posted May 20, 2018 Don't like juniors. Based on what you have and the work I do First on my list would be the 18's. But when the cash flow was right and you can visualize a need for a project, get the 50's. I have and like the jorgenson ponies. I have a few pipes different lengths and a couple of female connectors. I know they closed for business so Bessy is quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 I have Bessey Jr's and love them. Plenty of clamping power for my needs and they dont weigh a ton like the big ones. The shortest ones I have are 18", but id love a couple 12" as well. But I suppose its all in what you make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 I've got 6 -12" Bessey Jr's. They usually all get used before the 12" K body's do. Seems like you can never have enough shorter length clamps to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collinb Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 2 minutes ago, wdwerker said: I've got 6 -12" Bessey Jr's. They usually all get used before the 12" K body's do. Seems like you can never have enough shorter length clamps to me. Likewise, my 6" and 12" disappear quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legenddc Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 Can you cut the 50" one down to 36" or 40"? Or swap them with someone else looking for longer clamps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 I'm sure they work. Bessy is a good brand. I have and use a lot my short jorgenson pony pipe clamps. My shortest is around 12" and graduate from there. I also have several jorgensons on a heavy rail. 8 of them. Not complaining but I got several clamps second hand so cheap there was no reason to consider alternatives. They were jorgensons and when I got more it was better to have them match. The rail clamps were also too cheap to say no. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 It might be worth your while, to look into the American made Dubuque clamps. I have several and they are the first clamps I grab, for almost anything. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 The only problem with clamps that are longer than you need is when the excess bar gets in the way. I have cut a few clamps down to 18" when I couldn't get that size in the type of clamp I was after. Like cutting fence rails on a tablesaw, there is always the fear of wanting that length back. With clamps though you can always add longer ones if actually required later. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted May 23, 2018 Report Share Posted May 23, 2018 I have drilled a few of the bars on my oldest Bessey K body clamps. The new ones have the hole and it works with a joining plate to make a longer clamp when needed. Burned up a cheap bit and had to buy a true quality bit to get the job done. Clamp bars are made of pretty hard steel. Use slow speed & lube , sawzall or hacksaw not a jig saw. Slow drill speed too, it's easy to burn up a good bit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Wright Posted May 24, 2018 Report Share Posted May 24, 2018 You can buy the 50s and cut down the bars to make them whatever size you want. I have done that with clamps before when long versions we're on sale cheaper than the short size I wanted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedinblue Posted May 24, 2018 Report Share Posted May 24, 2018 Unsolicited, not answering your question advice: Pick up some Dubuques if you don't already have some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted May 24, 2018 Report Share Posted May 24, 2018 37 minutes ago, bleedinblue said: Unsolicited, not answering your question advice: Pick up some Dubuques if you don't already have some. I have been looking at these I need to pick a couple up, I have heard good things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted May 24, 2018 Report Share Posted May 24, 2018 I was curious so I looked to see what they sell for and who carries them . Guess who has them at a great price ? https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=Dubuque+ Has anyone tried their wooden cam action deep reach clamps ? I find myself wanting a deep throat clamp that isn't huge & heavy. I wonder what kind of pressure the 16" ones develop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted May 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2018 I was curious so I looked to see what they sell for and who carries them . Guess who has them at a great price ?https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=Dubuque+ Has anyone tried their wooden cam action deep reach clamps ? I find myself wanting a deep throat clamp that isn't huge & heavy. I wonder what kind of pressure the 16" ones develop.I have seen the Dubuque name thrown around a few times. What makes them so good? ... just curious cause I don’t know Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted May 24, 2018 Report Share Posted May 24, 2018 The badge that says made in USA? I wish that the jaws were bigger and that they offered more reach. I can get a 36" long reach clamp from menards for $13 not on sale with the same jaw area so I've never really been tempted by the dubuque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 On 5/24/2018 at 10:03 AM, bushwacked said: I have seen the Dubuque name thrown around a few times. What makes them so good? ... just curious cause I don’t know They are a heavier gauge than a lot of others. The Rocklers are also pretty hefty and for a bit more money you get the "big foot" option. With the Jorgies gone these two seem to be the focus of conversation on this format of clamp. To keep your dollars supporting an American company, Debuque is one of the few left. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedinblue Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 On 5/24/2018 at 12:03 PM, bushwacked said: I have seen the Dubuque name thrown around a few times. What makes them so good? ... just curious cause I don’t know Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk They're just like the ones from Harbor Freight, except made properly. No flexing, super smooth action. Use wise, they're like a light weight pipe clamp. I wish they had a deeper grip, they won't completely replace parallel clamps or f-style clamps, but I could see them becoming my primary clamp from here on out. I just need to buy more. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Lusk Posted November 7, 2018 Report Share Posted November 7, 2018 Bessey K body clamps. What's the difference between the JR's and the regular KRE ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legenddc Posted November 7, 2018 Report Share Posted November 7, 2018 I think the difference is the JR's have about half the force (900lb vs 1,700lbs) and the pads are smaller. JR's will be lighter too as a result. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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