Anyone tried to make their own Bessey REVO clamp?

[ear3]

The Bessey vario REVO clamps allow both heads to be moved and even taken off the metal bar, so I'm wondering if anyone has ever tried to make their own longer clamp by getting their own section of the metal bar and attaching the clamping heads to that?  I'm not looking at the clamps at the moment, but there doesn't seem to be anything special about the profile/thickness of the bar such that you couldn't get a section of it from a metal supplier.

I ask because I have a large project coming up that will involve clamping 11 ft. pieces.  I could get a longer section of pipe for my pipe clamps, but ideally I want the parallel clamping action of the Bessey REVO clamps.  I do have the Bessey connectors to attach my 8 ft. Bessey clamps to some 4 footers, but I was just thinking there might be another solution.

 

[semenza]

I think the main thing would be the little ridges. I would guess they have something to do with the holding action or they would not be there.

Not sure if the small bevels along the edges are functional or not?

Seth

 

[Mort]

Perhaps if you can't get the ridges to work, maybe a set screw along the bar instead? It'd be a bit of a pain, but how often are you going to use 11' clamps?

 

[Blackberry]

http://ace.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pACE3-17000319enh-z7.jpg

Sorry I'm using my phone and attempting to reply to this, screen is small and fingers aren't. Someone feel free to post a picture or better link. The answer to your question is, I haven't made my own bessey clamps. However I believe the Stanley 2x4 clamp may work. As well as a coupler on black pipes does work, and ratchet straps work.

 

[ear3]

[member=1619]SRSemenza[/member] So your sense is that the metal stock used on the bar is proprietary -- meaning they have their manufacturer do the ridges, which act as a grip for the clamps?  But it's not something that is otherwise publicly available?

I think the main thing would be the little ridges. I would guess they have something to do with the holding action or they would not be there.

Not sure if the small bevels along the edges are functional or not?

Seth

 

[bertv]

[member=37411]Edward A Reno III[/member] — Since you have the connectors (which I have too, I have been using them today), you could use those to build your own long clamps. For each one you would need two original Revo’s and two connectors plus a piece of T-shaped steel. Drill holes in the stem of the T-shaped steel at each end that correspond with the holes in the connector (you could use two of the three), connect the Revo's to either end and presto you have a clamp that can be awfully long… : )

 

[thedude306]

Do you find the connectors don't work well or you don't want to buy more clamps to have enough clamps to clamp together?

I was looking at getting some connectors for my bessey's for the odd time I need some longer clamps.

I wonder if you can get just the metal as a part direct from bessey in any length you want?

 

[Svar]

At 11 ft your bar, whatever it is, will bend so much that the "parallel clamping action of the Bessey REVO" will not be parallel any more. Just use 3/4" pipe.

 

[GarryMartin]

The first couple of photos at the below site show the custom "figure of eight" profile as well as the notches, both of which play their parts in the clamp operation.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/besyvariorvu.html

However, there has been a previous post on the FOG where [member=2830]festup[/member] made his own extenders. Perhaps that's worth a try?

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/bessey-clamp-stretchers/

 

[Grasshopper]

http://www.amazon.com/Bessey-KBX20-Body-Clamp-Extender/dp/B0014A44Y8

 

[ear3]

That's helpful, thanks.  The extenders work fine, BTW, I was just thinking outloud about other possible solutions should I ever need a large number of long clamps.  I'll keep in mind the comment though about the parakllel action being nullified above certain lengths.

The first couple of photos at the below site show the custom "figure of eight" profile as well as the notches, both of which play their parts in the clamp operation.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/besyvariorvu.html

However, there has been a previous post on the FOG where [member=2830]festup[/member] made his own extenders. Perhaps that's worth a try?

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/bessey-clamp-stretchers/

 

[Tayler_mann]

The ridges I feel so have something to do with the holding action, however, I think also they would work without it but be a bit of a pain. You would just have to push the handle up hard and twist the handle and would maybe take a few tries to engage it. All clamps work a like and if ou look at the jorgesons and the jets they are smooth bars. It is the two metal plates that bind to the steel same as a pipe clamp. I would just buy pipe clamps though and have a large jaw welded on with an offset towards the beginning of the jaw to make sure complete contact. It would be much cheaper than buying metal bars and would probably work better than a make shift cabinet clamp. I would be interested though if you do try it.

 

[bkharman]

I bought some removable heads on an Amazon deal last year and rarely use them. They work fine but I don't often have the need to do those sort of glue ups. If I do use them, it is often as a spreader instead!

Cheers. Bryan.