Ok, so I'm going to get some Bessey K-bodys for Christmas - my first.
Naturally I cannot get all I would like. I am thinking that size choice
will be like my experience with buying a bunch of F-clamps in the last
year - "longer is not necessarily handier or as useful". But the K-body
pricing model is such that the shorter clamps cost about 75% of the cost of
much longer clamps. I suppose it makes sense - all you get is a couple more
feet of steel bar.
If you had $100 for a Kbody budget, how would you spend it? How about $200?
The rockler sale this coming weekend seems like a good $100 starter
Two 40" K-body
Two 24" K-body
Four KP blocks
What do you think?
Bob
"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ok, so I'm going to get some Bessey K-bodys for Christmas - my first.
> Naturally I cannot get all I would like. I am thinking that size choice
> will be like my experience with buying a bunch of F-clamps in the last
> year - "longer is not necessarily handier or as useful". But the K-body
> pricing model is such that the shorter clamps cost about 75% of the cost
> of
> much longer clamps. I suppose it makes sense - all you get is a couple
> more
> feet of steel bar.
>
> If you had $100 for a Kbody budget, how would you spend it? How about
> $200?
>
> The rockler sale this coming weekend seems like a good $100 starter
> Two 40" K-body
> Two 24" K-body
> Four KP blocks
>
> What do you think?
Yes. I'll be the one in line right behind you.
SH
> The rockler sale this coming weekend seems like a good $100 starter
> Two 40" K-body
> Two 24" K-body
> Four KP blocks
>
> What do you think?
Hi Bob,
That's how I'm starting my Bessey collection (got a ton of x&%$# pipe
clamps).
Ordered today (shipped today) from Amazon for 99.95.
Gonna do this again if I like them.
Lou
Greetings and Salutations...
On Fri, 19 Nov 2004 18:49:38 GMT, "Bob"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Ok, so I'm going to get some Bessey K-bodys for Christmas - my first.
>Naturally I cannot get all I would like. I am thinking that size choice
>will be like my experience with buying a bunch of F-clamps in the last
>year - "longer is not necessarily handier or as useful". But the K-body
>pricing model is such that the shorter clamps cost about 75% of the cost of
>much longer clamps. I suppose it makes sense - all you get is a couple more
>feet of steel bar.
>
>If you had $100 for a Kbody budget, how would you spend it? How about $200?
>
>The rockler sale this coming weekend seems like a good $100 starter
> Two 40" K-body
> Two 24" K-body
> Four KP blocks
>
>What do you think?
>
>Bob
>
>
Well, I think that you should look at the projects you are
going to be building. If you are going to be making a LOT of large
case goods, then, by all means, get the longer ones.
If you are going to be building small jewelry boxes,
then, look to smaller clamps.
I find that in MOST cases, 24" is about the largest size
that has overall usefulness for me. In my clamp collection
(no Bessey's, though) I have at least 24 6" "F" clamps (useful not
only for projects, but, holding things in place for drilling,
on jigs, and (in my case) welding), 12 to 18 18" "F" clamps,
half a dozen or so 24" "F" clamps, and a whole stack of bar
clamps with 48" bars. I also have a bunch (a dozen or so)
6" "C" clamps, and, some other "C" clamps ranging up in size
to about 20".
I also tend to pick up more clamps when I can,
as I have never found a time when I had too MANY clamps, but,
I have hit a few times when I really needed a couple more.
Regards
Dave Mundt
"Bob" wrote in message
> in anticipation of this sale. Does that help?" Whoever decided to put a
> Rockler store in Houston in a better than average location is a genius.
> Their retail prices are ridiculously high sometimes but their sales can be
> pretty awesome.
If you're talking about the one on SW FWY feeder between Edloe and Kirby,
their sales can be competitive, most all the merchandise is better quality
than you'll find at a BORG, a lot of the catalog stuff is in stock, and the
salesfolks are _way_ above average in helpfulness and savvy ... but the real
kicker is that I can be there in five minutes.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 11/06/04
"patriarch [email protected]>" <<patriarch> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I think that, at very least, I'd go to www.allprotools.com, and price out
> the Gross Stabil PC2 units. They are every bit as good as the Besseys.
I've seen them at Woodcraft and they do look great. For regular pricing
they are cheaper, but the shipping cost from Allprotools is not competitive.
Pricing up 4-24s and 4-40s, the Rockler sale is $69 cheaper, after sales tax
and shipping considerations.
Thanks for the tip. I'll certainly do more comparitive shopping in the
future.
Bob
"Dave Mundt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I find that in MOST cases, 24" is about the largest size
> that has overall usefulness for me. In my clamp collection
> (no Bessey's, though) I have at least 24 6" "F" clamps (useful not
> only for projects, but, holding things in place for drilling,
> on jigs, and (in my case) welding), 12 to 18 18" "F" clamps,
> half a dozen or so 24" "F" clamps, and a whole stack of bar
> clamps with 48" bars. I also have a bunch (a dozen or so)
> 6" "C" clamps, and, some other "C" clamps ranging up in size
> to about 20".
> I also tend to pick up more clamps when I can,
Dave,
Thanks to you and others for your replies. I built a decent collection of
F-clamps because of the home depot cleanout last year and the discovery of a
store that had very good quality Chinese Jorgenson F-clamp clones. I don't
seem to run out of those clamps in what I do. I'm sure that getting a
starter set of K-body's in my collection will get me going and then adding
2-4 at a time in the future will cover my needs.
Bob
"Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> the inclusion of small feet that allow the movable head
> to be slid into position even when the clamps are laid down with a
workpiece
> on the bar.
The new Besseys have this feature. I've seen 'em with my own eyes.
Thanks for the thorough review Mike.
Bob
"Ken Yee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in news:F3tnd.2941$Tq6.2204
> @newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net:
>
> > The new Besseys have this feature. I've seen 'em with my own eyes.
>
> Makes you wonder if this is Bessey's way of clearing out the older
> clamps? Anyone know if the Rockler ones are the new style or old?
Now you got me going. I am calling Rockler tomorrow and finding out.
Bob
"Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:_ornd.26043
> 6x50". Not all are K-bodies, I have some jorgenson cabinetmasters, too
> (actually 24 of them are CMs).
I'm sure it's been asked before, but I must have missed it. How do the
Cabinetmasters to the K-bodies? Weight? Ease of use? Overall preference?
Thanks
"Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> that is a great deal. Get one if you have $100, two if you have $200 -
easy
> decision.
>
Duh, why didn't I think of that. I just called the local Rockler store to
check for restrictions in their sale. No limits per customer, but only
limited to what they have in stock. That's why they are opening at 7a.m.
every day after Thanksgiving. I asked if they had ordered extra stock or
just going to sell what's in the store. Quote the salesperson: "Well, let's
put it this way - I've been unloading three trucks a day for the last week
in anticipation of this sale. Does that help?" Whoever decided to put a
Rockler store in Houston in a better than average location is a genius.
Their retail prices are ridiculously high sometimes but their sales can be
pretty awesome.
Bob
"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Bob" wrote in message
> If you're talking about the one on SW FWY feeder between Edloe and Kirby,
> their sales can be competitive, most all the merchandise is better quality
> than you'll find at a BORG, a lot of the catalog stuff is in stock, and
the
> salesfolks are _way_ above average in helpfulness and savvy ... but the
real
> kicker is that I can be there in five minutes.
That's the one. Their location says they are after the hobbyist seriously.
With the growth of the Baby boom generation and growing interest in
woodworking, I think they must have some vision.
Bob
"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Ok, so I'm going to get some Bessey K-bodys for Christmas - my first.
> Naturally I cannot get all I would like. I am thinking that size
> choice will be like my experience with buying a bunch of F-clamps in
> the last year - "longer is not necessarily handier or as useful". But
> the K-body pricing model is such that the shorter clamps cost about
> 75% of the cost of much longer clamps. I suppose it makes sense - all
> you get is a couple more feet of steel bar.
>
> If you had $100 for a Kbody budget, how would you spend it? How about
> $200?
>
> The rockler sale this coming weekend seems like a good $100 starter
> Two 40" K-body
> Two 24" K-body
> Four KP blocks
>
> What do you think?
>
> Bob
>
>
>
I just added several K-Bodies in the past few weeks. I found them at
one of the local Borgs. I got 6 30" Kbodies and 4 24" uniklamps (K-Body
lite) for $260 to augment the 4 50" K-bodies that I already had. I just
finished a cabinet for a friend and that along with 2 pipe clamps and a
couple F clamps were all I needed
--
-Rob Ritch
[email protected]
(Remove nospam)
"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Ok, so I'm going to get some Bessey K-bodys for Christmas - my first.
> Naturally I cannot get all I would like. I am thinking that size
> choice will be like my experience with buying a bunch of F-clamps in
> the last year - "longer is not necessarily handier or as useful". But
> the K-body pricing model is such that the shorter clamps cost about
> 75% of the cost of much longer clamps. I suppose it makes sense - all
> you get is a couple more feet of steel bar.
>
> If you had $100 for a Kbody budget, how would you spend it? How about
> $200?
>
> The rockler sale this coming weekend seems like a good $100 starter
> Two 40" K-body
> Two 24" K-body
> Four KP blocks
>
> What do you think?
I think that, at very least, I'd go to www.allprotools.com, and price out
the Gross Stabil PC2 units. They are every bit as good as the Besseys.
I use both. So do others, who hang out here. Even some who inadvertantly
overload other people's F150 pickups, hauling home maple they've
practically stolen. ;-)
Regarding the length issue, it really depends on what you make. 50" clamps
on smaller projects can be a pain.
Patriarch
"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in news:F3tnd.2941$Tq6.2204
@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net:
> The new Besseys have this feature. I've seen 'em with my own eyes.
Makes you wonder if this is Bessey's way of clearing out the older
clamps? Anyone know if the Rockler ones are the new style or old?
ken
"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> "Bob" wrote in message
>
>> in anticipation of this sale. Does that help?" Whoever decided to
>> put a Rockler store in Houston in a better than average location is a
>> genius. Their retail prices are ridiculously high sometimes but their
>> sales can be pretty awesome.
>
> If you're talking about the one on SW FWY feeder between Edloe and
> Kirby, their sales can be competitive, most all the merchandise is
> better quality than you'll find at a BORG, a lot of the catalog stuff
> is in stock, and the salesfolks are _way_ above average in helpfulness
> and savvy ... but the real kicker is that I can be there in five
> minutes.
>
Most of the folks at our local Rockler's are active in the woodworkers'
club. Some of them are real artists. All are pretty good folk.
Patriarch
"NoOne N Particular" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>> I think that, at very least, I'd go to www.allprotools.com, and price
>> out the Gross Stabil PC2 units. They are every bit as good as the
>> Besseys.
>
> Dang. 100 inch bar clamp. Haven't seen any other brands that long.
> That's almost as long as my 9 foot pipe clamps. :-)
>
> Wayne
Your biggest pipe clamps are only 9 footers? Why stop there? ;-)
Patriarch
that is a great deal. Get one if you have $100, two if you have $200 - easy
decision.
I started out with 40" clamps and 24" clamps. I quickly found that using
longer clamps for small pieces is not much fun. I added a few 12" clamps as
well. The thing about the saying "you can never have enough clamps" is that
it is extremely accurate. I now have 4x12", 12x24", 12x(36" or 40") and
6x50". Not all are K-bodies, I have some jorgenson cabinetmasters, too
(actually 24 of them are CMs).
Mike
"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ok, so I'm going to get some Bessey K-bodys for Christmas - my first.
> Naturally I cannot get all I would like. I am thinking that size choice
> will be like my experience with buying a bunch of F-clamps in the last
> year - "longer is not necessarily handier or as useful". But the K-body
> pricing model is such that the shorter clamps cost about 75% of the cost
of
> much longer clamps. I suppose it makes sense - all you get is a couple
more
> feet of steel bar.
>
> If you had $100 for a Kbody budget, how would you spend it? How about
$200?
>
> The rockler sale this coming weekend seems like a good $100 starter
> Two 40" K-body
> Two 24" K-body
> Four KP blocks
>
> What do you think?
>
> Bob
>
>
I have one question about the CabinetMasters. Don't know what it is about
the material the bars on the Besseys are made from, but I found out the
hard way that Titebond II sticks to it like grim death. Have you noticed
if the same is true of the CabinetMasters?
Mike in Mystic wrote:
> In performance, they are nearly identical, with the edge going to the
> cabinetmasters. The improvements in features consist of larger clamping
> surface - which I've noticed improves clamping force distribution
> considerably - and the inclusion of small feet that allow the movable head
> to be slid into position even when the clamps are laid down with a
> workpiece
> on the bar. This last one is a BIG improvement and makes panel glueups go
> much easier, IMO. The CMs also feature reversible heads, which I've used
> a
> few times, so it is a nice feature. I think the Bessey's might be
> incorporating some of these features in their offerings now, but I'm not
> sure. Weight isn't something I've noticed much difference in - so I'll
> have
> to say they are even there. Both are pretty hefty.
>
> There have been some negative aspects to the CMs in terms of product
> "malfunctions". These have been reported previously, as well. Namely,
> *some* of my clamps exhibit "stuck head" syndrome, where if the movable
> head is allowed to slam down against the fixed head the clamping mechanism
> jams
> and the clamp is stuck closed. It isn't really that hard to remedy the
> problem, but it is very annoying when it happens. The materials in my CMs
> weren't top-notch, either. The plastic isn't as good as in the k-bodies,
> and on one of my clamps the fixed head housing cracked severely when it
> fell
> off my bench. I also had several clamps where the bars developed notches
> as a result of the clamping action - most of them didn't have any impact
> on performance, but a few of them were serious enough to affect the
> ability of the movable head to slide past them.
>
> The good news is that the Adjustable Clamp Company is standing by their
> product and accepting responsibility for these issues. I reported all of
> them to their customer service manager (Jim Luley) and he gave me no
> argument whatsoever, and required no proof (i.e. having to mail the clamps
> back or something like that). He was very professional and replaced all
> the
> items for free. In total, I received 7 new clamps (it was just the fixed
> head and the bars). As Jim explained to me, there was some quality issues
> with the parts initially supplied to them for the CMs, all of which have
> been remedied. They changed the plastic to a glass-filled type, which is
> more durable and robust. They improved the quality of the steel bar
> stock,
> and they came up with a fix for the "stuck head" issue. This consists of
> a plastic insert that you can retrofit to your clamps easily to avoid the
> problem. All new CMs have all of these improvements (I checked this at
> Home
> Depot and confirmed it). So, with this in mind I have to stand behind the
> CMs. As you might imagine, it would have been much better to not have the
> problems at all, but the customer service was exceptional, and it seems
> they have truly attempted to fix what was wrong in good faith.
>
> So there you have it. I still use my Besseys as much as the CMs, and in
> most
> cases I have no real preference. They are both exceptional clamps and I'm
> happy with them all.
>
> Mike
>
>
> "Upscale" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> "Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:_ornd.26043
>>
>> > 6x50". Not all are K-bodies, I have some jorgenson cabinetmasters, too
>> > (actually 24 of them are CMs).
>>
>> I'm sure it's been asked before, but I must have missed it. How do the
>> Cabinetmasters to the K-bodies? Weight? Ease of use? Overall preference?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>>
--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Mike in Mystic wrote:
> The CM bar is very smooth and polished - glue is VERY easy to get off the
> bars, once it has cured. The serrations on K-bodies is what I guess makes
> the glue stick so well and makes it difficult to remove.
When it gets in the serrations it's a pain but even if it falls on the
smooth side of the bar it sticks like crazy and when I do get it off it
leaves a discolored spot. I've taken to waxing new ones when I get them.
Have to give CMs a try.
> Mike
>
> "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>I have one question about the CabinetMasters. Don't know what it is about
>> the material the bars on the Besseys are made from, but I found out the
>> hard way that Titebond II sticks to it like grim death. Have you noticed
>> if the same is true of the CabinetMasters?
>>
>> Mike in Mystic wrote:
>>
>>> In performance, they are nearly identical, with the edge going to the
>>> cabinetmasters. The improvements in features consist of larger clamping
>>> surface - which I've noticed improves clamping force distribution
>>> considerably - and the inclusion of small feet that allow the movable
>>> head
>>> to be slid into position even when the clamps are laid down with a
>>> workpiece
>>> on the bar. This last one is a BIG improvement and makes panel glueups
>>> go
>>> much easier, IMO. The CMs also feature reversible heads, which I've
>>> used a
>>> few times, so it is a nice feature. I think the Bessey's might be
>>> incorporating some of these features in their offerings now, but I'm not
>>> sure. Weight isn't something I've noticed much difference in - so I'll
>>> have
>>> to say they are even there. Both are pretty hefty.
>>>
>>> There have been some negative aspects to the CMs in terms of product
>>> "malfunctions". These have been reported previously, as well. Namely,
>>> *some* of my clamps exhibit "stuck head" syndrome, where if the movable
>>> head is allowed to slam down against the fixed head the clamping
>>> mechanism
>>> jams
>>> and the clamp is stuck closed. It isn't really that hard to remedy the
>>> problem, but it is very annoying when it happens. The materials in my
>>> CMs
>>> weren't top-notch, either. The plastic isn't as good as in the
>>> k-bodies, and on one of my clamps the fixed head housing cracked
>>> severely when it fell
>>> off my bench. I also had several clamps where the bars developed
>>> notches as a result of the clamping action - most of them didn't have
>>> any impact on performance, but a few of them were serious enough to
>>> affect the ability of the movable head to slide past them.
>>>
>>> The good news is that the Adjustable Clamp Company is standing by their
>>> product and accepting responsibility for these issues. I reported all
>>> of them to their customer service manager (Jim Luley) and he gave me no
>>> argument whatsoever, and required no proof (i.e. having to mail the
>>> clamps
>>> back or something like that). He was very professional and replaced all
>>> the
>>> items for free. In total, I received 7 new clamps (it was just the
>>> fixed
>>> head and the bars). As Jim explained to me, there was some quality
>>> issues
>>> with the parts initially supplied to them for the CMs, all of which have
>>> been remedied. They changed the plastic to a glass-filled type, which
>>> is
>>> more durable and robust. They improved the quality of the steel bar
>>> stock,
>>> and they came up with a fix for the "stuck head" issue. This consists
>>> of a plastic insert that you can retrofit to your clamps easily to avoid
>>> the
>>> problem. All new CMs have all of these improvements (I checked this at
>>> Home
>>> Depot and confirmed it). So, with this in mind I have to stand behind
>>> the
>>> CMs. As you might imagine, it would have been much better to not have
>>> the
>>> problems at all, but the customer service was exceptional, and it seems
>>> they have truly attempted to fix what was wrong in good faith.
>>>
>>> So there you have it. I still use my Besseys as much as the CMs, and in
>>> most
>>> cases I have no real preference. They are both exceptional clamps and
>>> I'm
>>> happy with them all.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>>
>>> "Upscale" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> "Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:_ornd.26043
>>>>
>>>> > 6x50". Not all are K-bodies, I have some jorgenson cabinetmasters,
>>>> > too
>>>> > (actually 24 of them are CMs).
>>>>
>>>> I'm sure it's been asked before, but I must have missed it. How do the
>>>> Cabinetmasters to the K-bodies? Weight? Ease of use? Overall
>>>> preference?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>> --
>> --John
>> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
The CM bar is very smooth and polished - glue is VERY easy to get off the
bars, once it has cured. The serrations on K-bodies is what I guess makes
the glue stick so well and makes it difficult to remove.
Mike
"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have one question about the CabinetMasters. Don't know what it is about
> the material the bars on the Besseys are made from, but I found out the
> hard way that Titebond II sticks to it like grim death. Have you noticed
> if the same is true of the CabinetMasters?
>
> Mike in Mystic wrote:
>
>> In performance, they are nearly identical, with the edge going to the
>> cabinetmasters. The improvements in features consist of larger clamping
>> surface - which I've noticed improves clamping force distribution
>> considerably - and the inclusion of small feet that allow the movable
>> head
>> to be slid into position even when the clamps are laid down with a
>> workpiece
>> on the bar. This last one is a BIG improvement and makes panel glueups
>> go
>> much easier, IMO. The CMs also feature reversible heads, which I've used
>> a
>> few times, so it is a nice feature. I think the Bessey's might be
>> incorporating some of these features in their offerings now, but I'm not
>> sure. Weight isn't something I've noticed much difference in - so I'll
>> have
>> to say they are even there. Both are pretty hefty.
>>
>> There have been some negative aspects to the CMs in terms of product
>> "malfunctions". These have been reported previously, as well. Namely,
>> *some* of my clamps exhibit "stuck head" syndrome, where if the movable
>> head is allowed to slam down against the fixed head the clamping
>> mechanism
>> jams
>> and the clamp is stuck closed. It isn't really that hard to remedy the
>> problem, but it is very annoying when it happens. The materials in my
>> CMs
>> weren't top-notch, either. The plastic isn't as good as in the k-bodies,
>> and on one of my clamps the fixed head housing cracked severely when it
>> fell
>> off my bench. I also had several clamps where the bars developed notches
>> as a result of the clamping action - most of them didn't have any impact
>> on performance, but a few of them were serious enough to affect the
>> ability of the movable head to slide past them.
>>
>> The good news is that the Adjustable Clamp Company is standing by their
>> product and accepting responsibility for these issues. I reported all of
>> them to their customer service manager (Jim Luley) and he gave me no
>> argument whatsoever, and required no proof (i.e. having to mail the
>> clamps
>> back or something like that). He was very professional and replaced all
>> the
>> items for free. In total, I received 7 new clamps (it was just the fixed
>> head and the bars). As Jim explained to me, there was some quality
>> issues
>> with the parts initially supplied to them for the CMs, all of which have
>> been remedied. They changed the plastic to a glass-filled type, which is
>> more durable and robust. They improved the quality of the steel bar
>> stock,
>> and they came up with a fix for the "stuck head" issue. This consists of
>> a plastic insert that you can retrofit to your clamps easily to avoid the
>> problem. All new CMs have all of these improvements (I checked this at
>> Home
>> Depot and confirmed it). So, with this in mind I have to stand behind
>> the
>> CMs. As you might imagine, it would have been much better to not have
>> the
>> problems at all, but the customer service was exceptional, and it seems
>> they have truly attempted to fix what was wrong in good faith.
>>
>> So there you have it. I still use my Besseys as much as the CMs, and in
>> most
>> cases I have no real preference. They are both exceptional clamps and
>> I'm
>> happy with them all.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>> "Upscale" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> "Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:_ornd.26043
>>>
>>> > 6x50". Not all are K-bodies, I have some jorgenson cabinetmasters,
>>> > too
>>> > (actually 24 of them are CMs).
>>>
>>> I'm sure it's been asked before, but I must have missed it. How do the
>>> Cabinetmasters to the K-bodies? Weight? Ease of use? Overall preference?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>
> --
> --John
> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
On Fri, 19 Nov 2004 18:49:38 GMT, "Bob"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Ok, so I'm going to get some Bessey K-bodys for Christmas - my first.
>Naturally I cannot get all I would like. I am thinking that size choice
>will be like my experience with buying a bunch of F-clamps in the last
>year - "longer is not necessarily handier or as useful".
You are correct. I found that the hard way when I first started my
K-Body collection. I have an article on my website that deals with
your first K-Body buy. Looks like it might help you.
I have about 2/3 of my inventory as 24"ers, by the way.
- -
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
http://www.woodbutcher.net
"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Bob" wrote in message
>
>> in anticipation of this sale. Does that help?" Whoever decided to put a
>> Rockler store in Houston in a better than average location is a genius.
>> Their retail prices are ridiculously high sometimes but their sales can
>> be
>> pretty awesome.
>
> If you're talking about the one on SW FWY feeder between Edloe and Kirby,
> their sales can be competitive, most all the merchandise is better quality
> than you'll find at a BORG, a lot of the catalog stuff is in stock, and
> the
> salesfolks are _way_ above average in helpfulness and savvy ... but the
> real
> kicker is that I can be there in five minutes.
They have had every thing that I have called ahead on.
In performance, they are nearly identical, with the edge going to the
cabinetmasters. The improvements in features consist of larger clamping
surface - which I've noticed improves clamping force distribution
considerably - and the inclusion of small feet that allow the movable head
to be slid into position even when the clamps are laid down with a workpiece
on the bar. This last one is a BIG improvement and makes panel glueups go
much easier, IMO. The CMs also feature reversible heads, which I've used a
few times, so it is a nice feature. I think the Bessey's might be
incorporating some of these features in their offerings now, but I'm not
sure. Weight isn't something I've noticed much difference in - so I'll have
to say they are even there. Both are pretty hefty.
There have been some negative aspects to the CMs in terms of product
"malfunctions". These have been reported previously, as well. Namely,
*some* of my clamps exhibit "stuck head" syndrome, where if the movable head
is allowed to slam down against the fixed head the clamping mechanism jams
and the clamp is stuck closed. It isn't really that hard to remedy the
problem, but it is very annoying when it happens. The materials in my CMs
weren't top-notch, either. The plastic isn't as good as in the k-bodies,
and on one of my clamps the fixed head housing cracked severely when it fell
off my bench. I also had several clamps where the bars developed notches as
a result of the clamping action - most of them didn't have any impact on
performance, but a few of them were serious enough to affect the ability of
the movable head to slide past them.
The good news is that the Adjustable Clamp Company is standing by their
product and accepting responsibility for these issues. I reported all of
them to their customer service manager (Jim Luley) and he gave me no
argument whatsoever, and required no proof (i.e. having to mail the clamps
back or something like that). He was very professional and replaced all the
items for free. In total, I received 7 new clamps (it was just the fixed
head and the bars). As Jim explained to me, there was some quality issues
with the parts initially supplied to them for the CMs, all of which have
been remedied. They changed the plastic to a glass-filled type, which is
more durable and robust. They improved the quality of the steel bar stock,
and they came up with a fix for the "stuck head" issue. This consists of a
plastic insert that you can retrofit to your clamps easily to avoid the
problem. All new CMs have all of these improvements (I checked this at Home
Depot and confirmed it). So, with this in mind I have to stand behind the
CMs. As you might imagine, it would have been much better to not have the
problems at all, but the customer service was exceptional, and it seems they
have truly attempted to fix what was wrong in good faith.
So there you have it. I still use my Besseys as much as the CMs, and in most
cases I have no real preference. They are both exceptional clamps and I'm
happy with them all.
Mike
"Upscale" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:_ornd.26043
>
> > 6x50". Not all are K-bodies, I have some jorgenson cabinetmasters, too
> > (actually 24 of them are CMs).
>
> I'm sure it's been asked before, but I must have missed it. How do the
> Cabinetmasters to the K-bodies? Weight? Ease of use? Overall preference?
>
> Thanks
>
>