I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.


thanks for your help


john

I think Bessey & Cabinet Master fall into the "Rolls Royce" category.
Are there any better? I haven't used Tradesman Heavy Duty's.



On Jan 1, 4:39 pm, "Coltrane" wrote:
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.

thanks for your help

john

"Coltrane" wrote in message
ps.com...
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.


thanks for your help


john

I had built many cabinets, bookcases, etc using pipe clamps before I felt
sufficiently affluent to invest in Bessey K Body clamps.
I really like the Bessey clamps but I see no reason why pipe clamps would
not suffice.

Max

"Coltrane" wrote in message
ps.com...
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.

Don't buy 48" capacity. It won't clamp the edges on your plywood. Bessey
comes 51, and that's a good option.

If I had it to do again I would have bought Bessey in the beginning. Clamps
last a lifetime, you might as well get the best.

Thanks,

I'll look into pipe clamps. I somehow forgot about them.

john

Max wrote:
"Coltrane" wrote in message
ps.com...
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.


thanks for your help


john

I had built many cabinets, bookcases, etc using pipe clamps before I felt
sufficiently affluent to invest in Bessey K Body clamps.
I really like the Bessey clamps but I see no reason why pipe clamps would
not suffice.

Max

Coltrane wrote:

Thanks,

I'll look into pipe clamps. I somehow forgot about them.

john

Same here, I have various lengths of pipe for different clamping jobs.

If you don't need a deep throat a pipe clamp is the cheapest and one of the
best and it can be any length(you just buy the length of pipes you need.
"Coltrane" wrote in message
ps.com...
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.


thanks for your help


john

"Max" wrote in message
et...

"Coltrane" wrote in message
ps.com...

I had built many cabinets, bookcases, etc using pipe clamps before I felt
sufficiently affluent to invest in Bessey K Body clamps.
I really like the Bessey clamps but I see no reason why pipe clamps would
not suffice.

Max


Agreed! I have a few Bessy K body's but keep grabbing my pipe clamps. The K
body's rarely leave the wall. Nothing wrong with pipe clamps at all. You can
buy several lengths of pipe and just change the clamp body if money is
tight.
Greg

Mon, Jan 1, 2007, 2:39pm (EST-3) (Coltrane) doth
sayeth:
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
snip

Cam clamps. Easy to make. I made a whole batch, 12" to 48". Very
inexpensive to make, work fine. Plans on-line.

Or pipe clamps.



JOAT
To listen is an effort, and just to hear is no merit. A duck hears
also.
- Igor Stravinsky

Pipe clamps. Relativly cheap, work well and adjustable (add pipe) to any
size.

"Coltrane" wrote in message
ps.com...
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.


thanks for your help


john

"B A R R Y" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 1 Jan 2007 17:37:35 -0600, "Greg O"
wrote:


I have a few Bessy K body's but keep grabbing my pipe clamps. The K
body's rarely leave the wall.

You have both and choose the pipes? Why? G

I also have both available in many sizes and can't ever imagine a
single reason why I would choose pipes over K's. The K's are much
easier to size up, clamp square, spread the load better, are
non-stick, are stackable, can stand on their head, and don't react
with glues to discolor wood.


I had become so accustomed to using my pipe clamps that it is a habit to
reach for them whenever I need a clamp.
Years of accumulating different sized lengths make it easy to grab the
proper ones.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/thesam...cd.jpg&.src=ph

I haven't experienced problems with discoloration.

Max (those Bessey clamps *are* nice though)

Somebody wrote:

I have a few Bessy K body's but keep grabbing my pipe clamps. The K
body's rarely leave the wall.

Without question, Bessey K-body clamps are superior; however; 3/4 pipe
clamps will also do a good job with a little practice.

Contact a pipe distributor and get a quote on pipe nipples.

Just recently bought some 3/4 x 60" long, black iron nipples. Price was
about $15.00.

Add some couplings and you have a lot of flexibility.

Lew

In article et,
Lew Hodgett wrote:

Somebody wrote:

I have a few Bessy K body's but keep grabbing my pipe clamps. The K
body's rarely leave the wall.

Without question, Bessey K-body clamps are superior; however; 3/4 pipe
clamps will also do a good job with a little practice.

Contact a pipe distributor and get a quote on pipe nipples.

Just recently bought some 3/4 x 60" long, black iron nipples. Price was
about $15.00.

Add some couplings and you have a lot of flexibility.

Lew

I'd add to that that I have at least 2 dozen pipe clamps ranging from
a foot to more than 6 feet, and have never paid for the pipe used in
any of them. If you have any industry in your area you can probably
find all the pipe you'd ever need in dumpsters.
[I do buy new pipe for any plumbing projects, however. ]
--
A man who throws dirt loses ground.

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland -

"B A R R Y" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 1 Jan 2007 17:37:35 -0600, "Greg O"
wrote:


I have a few Bessy K body's but keep grabbing my pipe clamps. The K
body's rarely leave the wall.

You have both and choose the pipes? Why? G



The pipe clamps are lighter and easier to operate in my opinion. I use the
Bessy's when I am clamping up something where I might have to reach over
other clamps, but otherwise I stick to the Jorgensen Pony's.

It probably comes down to what a person gets used to. I have used Pony's for
30 years, not gonna stop now!
Greg

On 1 Jan 2007 14:39:11 -0800, "Coltrane"
wrote:

I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables.

There's something here that I think everyone missed. I noticed because
I fell into the trap myself once. If you're just starting (even if you
are doing some tables), you're going to generally run into far more
occasions when you need 24" clamping capacity than 40+". Trust me when
I tell you that even though in concept it sounds good, you will be
VERY unhappy trying to wrestle 40+"ers around a 20" glueup. DAMHIKT.

I have an article on my website on choosing one's first K-Bodies, and
it tells the whole sordid tale of my experience. It applies equally to
most other clamps except pipe, which you can easily change the
capacity of by simply changing the pipe--the sole advantage of them
over K-Bodies, so far as I'm concerned.

Also, for bar type clamps (F style, such as Jorgie 37xxes and
Tradesmans) the Rolls Royce is Wexler.

--
LRod

Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite

Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999

http://www.woodbutcher.net

Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997

email addy de-spam-ified due to 1,000 spams per month.
If you can't figure out how to use it, I probably wouldn't
care to correspond with you anyway.

LRod wrote:


There's something here that I think everyone missed. I noticed because
I fell into the trap myself once. If you're just starting (even if you
are doing some tables), you're going to generally run into far more
occasions when you need 24" clamping capacity than 40+".

snip

If you want an argument, change the subject.

I've probably got over 100, 3", 4, 6", & 8" C-Clamps.

At least 15-20, 18",& 24" bar clamps.

After that, comes the pipe clamps.

Keep an eye out for Harbor Freight bar clamp sales.

Last time I got some 18" bar clamps for less than $2 each.

Yes they are cheap, but bar clamps aren't heavily loaded gadgets.


Lew

Everybody,

thanks for the all the feedback. I am going to take a look into pipe
clamps. It seems that I shouldn't need any more. I was a little mixed
on which to get because currently my small clamps, 24", are all
quick-grip clamps and I like the large throat. My current long clamps,
36", are my grandfather's 70+ year old bar clamps that have the same
throat as the bessey pipe clamps.
An additional benefit to the pipe clamps is that if I don't like them
the investment was minimal and I can pick up some bar clamps.

thanks again for all the feedback

cheers


Coltrane wrote:
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.


thanks for your help


john

Lew Hodgett wrote:

Yes they are cheap, but bar clamps aren't heavily loaded gadgets.

Not yet... but noting this little puppy:

http://www.blackanddecker.com/Produc...roductID=15251

It's only a matter of time before Hitachi weighs-in with with their 36
volt, lithium ion version with a bubble level and a laser sight.

Call it "progress"



Lew

Remember the couplers and make long ones out of shorter sections,
fringe benefit is easier storage for shorter lengths.

On 1 Jan 2007 15:24:49 -0800, "Coltrane"
wrote:

Thanks,

I'll look into pipe clamps. I somehow forgot about them.

john

Max wrote:
"Coltrane" wrote in message
ps.com...
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

"Greg O" wrote in message
...
The pipe clamps are lighter and easier to operate in my opinion. I use the
Bessy's when I am clamping up something where I might have to reach over
other clamps, but otherwise I stick to the Jorgensen Pony's.

It probably comes down to what a person gets used to. I have used Pony's
for 30 years, not gonna stop now!

Didn't take me longer than the second project with Besseys to move the pipe
clamps down the rack toward the floor. No fussy cauls, no stand-up
troubles, no rotation on the far end, and no fussing and shimming to keep
the clamping force in line with the screw centered.

Easy habit to break. The pipe clamps are now stored in a secondary location
out of the workshop, called upon to work 50" and over only.

Greg O wrote:

It probably comes down to what a person gets used to. I have used Pony's for
30 years, not gonna stop now!


Plain 'ol personal preference makes perfect sense to me. G


Thanks!

I have 8 Kbodies, 8 Pipe clamps and a bazillon F clamps.

I reach for the K-bodies first, but I don't need nor want all Kbodies in the
collection. Kbodies have the nice property that the apply nice 90 -degree
pressure, unlike an F-clamp which can cause a joint to slide.

Once you have an assembly locked in place with 2 K-bodies, you can
supplement with other types of clamps.

In addition to price, pipe clamps have more length flexibility. I have 4 at
36" and 4 at 60". With some couplers I can potentially have 3,5,6,8, and 10'
clamps.

I think an assortment of type is really the best.

-Steve


"Coltrane" wrote in message
ps.com...
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.


thanks for your help


john

Aluminum bar clamps work quite well...

http://www.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FU...ARTNUM=800-650

The other choice in the "frugal" range is pipe clamps which
are a major pain in the ass and heavy as a mud fence.


Coltrane wrote:

I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

My vote is for the K body Bessey's. I love using them with the blocks to be
able to clamp something (like cabinet doors) on 4 sides and keep everything
flat. Sometimes I had problems gluing up doors with the pipe clamps, and
would end up with a slightly warped door. Plus, if anyone needs ideas on
what to get you for Christmas, father's day, birthday, etc. K body clamps
are a sure winner and you'll accumulate plenty pretty quickly! --dave (who
has about 30 K bodies and the smaller uniclamps now...)

"Coltrane" wrote in message
ps.com...
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.


thanks for your help


john

John,

I believe that David Marks uses pipe clamps in his glue ups and it certainly
doesn't look like his work suffers any by using them. In case you don't
know, he is the host of Wood Works on the DYI channel.

His website can be see at http://www.djmarks.com/channels/djmnews.asp

Peter.

"Coltrane" wrote in message
ps.com...
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.


thanks for your help


john

Coltrane wrote:
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.


If you have enough money to buy about 6-8 (or more) Bessey K bodies,
I'd do that (Although I don't know how big your table will be). If you
have patience, you can get them on sale for $20-25 each for the 24"
ones (shipped).

If you get tired of woodworking, you can ebay the Besseys easily and
recoup your money if you bought them on sale.

I started with pipe clamps, and got about 50 of them before I started
buying Besseys. The only time I use a pipe clamp is for extremely long
jobs or if I have to put an extreme amount of pressure on that (I can
crank down a pipe clamp harder).. Both cases are very rare.
The pipe clamps are so infrequently used, that I moved them out of the
shop and into the "junk" area of the basement.

"George" wrote in message
.. .

"Greg O" wrote in message
...
The pipe clamps are lighter and easier to operate in my opinion. I use
the Bessy's when I am clamping up something where I might have to reach
over other clamps, but otherwise I stick to the Jorgensen Pony's.

It probably comes down to what a person gets used to. I have used Pony's
for 30 years, not gonna stop now!

Didn't take me longer than the second project with Besseys to move the
pipe clamps down the rack toward the floor. No fussy cauls, no stand-up
troubles, no rotation on the far end, and no fussing and shimming to keep
the clamping force in line with the screw centered.

Easy habit to break. The pipe clamps are now stored in a secondary
location out of the workshop, called upon to work 50" and over only.
Strange, I don't seem to have the same problems you describe!
My Pony clamps stand up just fine. Rotation?? Shimming??
Greg

Greg O wrote:

Strange, I don't seem to have the same problems you describe!
My Pony clamps stand up just fine. Rotation?? Shimming??


You've never bumped the sliding end of a long pipe clamp while clamping
casework and had it rotate?

NOW I understand why you like them so much! G

"B A R R Y" wrote in message
et...
Greg O wrote:

Strange, I don't seem to have the same problems you describe!
My Pony clamps stand up just fine. Rotation?? Shimming??


You've never bumped the sliding end of a long pipe clamp while clamping
casework and had it rotate?

NOW I understand why you like them so much! G

Sure I have, but I just reach over and put it back in place. Nothing to get
worked up about. It does not happen enough for me to spend 2-3 times the
price on clamps and toss them all and buy Bessy's. The lighter weight of a
Pony bar clamp helps even out things a bit over the heavier Bessy's.
Sometimes when clamping up stuff one of my Bessy clamps will fall over too.
**** happens.
Greg

Greg O wrote:
"B A R R Y" wrote in message
et...
Greg O wrote:


You've never bumped the sliding end of a long pipe clamp while clamping
casework and had it rotate?

NOW I understand why you like them so much! G

Sure I have, but I just reach over and put it back in place. Nothing to get
worked up about.

On a 5 or 6 foot clamp while you're holding the other end on a large
case? That's what I'm talking about. Of course I can spin the end of a
2-3 foot clamp. G

"B A R R Y" wrote in message
et...
On a 5 or 6 foot clamp while you're holding the other end on a large case?
That's what I'm talking about. Of course I can spin the end of a 2-3 foot
clamp. G

Was making some 1/2" thick panels yesterday with the Besseys when I realized
that I was not reaching for supports to lift the centerline of the glueup to
the center of the tightening screw to avoid pinching and bowing. What a
nice feeling, though I still clamp alternate sides more or less out of habit
from years of pipe clamps.

Having purchased one of the Norm-style glue rollers a couple projects ago, I
noticed I now have glue all over the bars. Any easy remedies out there for
removing Titebond? The bottle is going back to the shelf to stay, I fear.

"George" wrote in
:

Having purchased one of the Norm-style glue rollers a couple projects
ago, I noticed I now have glue all over the bars. Any easy remedies
out there for removing Titebond? The bottle is going back to the
shelf to stay, I fear.


White vinegar?

Patriarch

"Patriarch" wrote in message
. 136...
"George" wrote in
:

Having purchased one of the Norm-style glue rollers a couple projects
ago, I noticed I now have glue all over the bars. Any easy remedies
out there for removing Titebond? The bottle is going back to the
shelf to stay, I fear.


White vinegar?


Heard that about PVA (yellow glue), think I'll try it

Somebody wrote:

Having purchased one of the Norm-style glue rollers a couple projects
ago, I noticed I now have glue all over the bars. Any easy remedies
out there for removing Titebond?

A wire brush on a motor. Either a drill or a right angle sander.

Lew

Well all, I went out and took the inexpensive (cheap) way and bought
pipe clamps. I bought Pony clamps and will be picking up the pipes
tomorrow. It seemed that being able to change size is a big benefit.
Since I am starting I hope pipes will do fine. Also, the Ponys have a
clamp with a 2 1/2 inch reach. Just for the hell of it I bought pair of
1-3/4-inch clamps. Guess I'll learn by mistake.

thanks for all the input. I learned a lot.

cheers

coltrane


Coltrane wrote:
I am looking for clamps that are at least are between 40" and 48".
I am just starting to get into wood working and I am starting with some
cabinets and tables. I want to get quality clamps that will last but I
don't want to get the "rolls royce" of clamps.

I have only seen Jorgensen Cabinet Master which can be found in 48".
Bessey has 3 different options the Tradesmen medium Duty goes to 40",
the Tradesmem Heavy Duty goes all the way to 90 with a 4.5 throat.
The last Bessey option is K Body clamp which has widths all the way to
98".

Can someone give me some input regarding these clamps or recomend
others.


If you have enough money to buy about 6-8 (or more) Bessey K bodies,
I'd do that (Although I don't know how big your table will be). If you
have patience, you can get them on sale for $20-25 each for the 24"
ones (shipped).

If you get tired of woodworking, you can ebay the Besseys easily and
recoup your money if you bought them on sale.

I started with pipe clamps, and got about 50 of them before I started
buying Besseys. The only time I use a pipe clamp is for extremely long
jobs or if I have to put an extreme amount of pressure on that (I can
crank down a pipe clamp harder).. Both cases are very rare.
The pipe clamps are so infrequently used, that I moved them out of the
shop and into the "junk" area of the basement.