Bessey clamp length tip

[semenza]

    I discovered this while clamping 12" wide pieces in Bessey Revo 12" clamps.  While putting shelf glue ups in clamps standing on the bench. Some clamps had a 12" opening making it tough to get shelves in. And some had 1/4" (12 1/4" opening) to spare.

      Hmmmm .............................  make sure the "foot" is attached as on the lower clamp in the picture. The direction makes about 1/4" difference on the opening.

      [attachimg=1]

Seth

 

[rvieceli]

You can also get a bit more jaw opening by removing that piece completely. Although you do have to be careful about dropping the head on the floor.  [eek]

Ron

 

[semenza]

You can also get a bit more jaw opening by removing that piece completely. Although you do have to be careful about dropping the head on the floor.  [eek]

Ron

Well, yes, but using the foot keeps it off the bench surface and makes it slide shut easily. And as you say ...............  no broken toes or clamp heads. [blink]

Of course the 1/4" only matters if the clamp is being used at capacity. Just one of those things you come across by happenstance.

Seth

 

[rvieceli]

Yup, but when you just need a little bit more space and it's either pop the stop off and be careful or go back and grab the 24 inch clamp. It works. BTW thanks for the tip I had forgotten that those things are actually directional.  [wink]

Ron

 

[RussellS]

When you posted the first picture, I wondered about my Bessy clamps.  And went to the basement to look whether I had the end piece correct to get the most clamping.  And when I got to the basement I saw the bars on my Bessy clamps had silver metal bars with divots, dings at the end to keep the head on the bar.  No black piece like in your picture.  Then I thought a bit more and figured out I only have Bessy K-Body clamps.  Not the Revo ones you are talking about.  Different bars used in the clamps.

 

[semenza]

When you posted the first picture, I wondered about my Bessy clamps.  And went to the basement to look whether I had the end piece correct to get the most clamping.  And when I got to the basement I saw the bars on my Bessy clamps had silver metal bars with divots, dings at the end to keep the head on the bar.  No black piece like in your picture.  Then I thought a bit more and figured out I only have Bessy K-Body clamps.  Not the Revo ones you are talking about.  Different bars used in the clamps.

My K-Bodies have a different type of rest / foot that fits into a hole and the head is removable on those too. I think you have some very early type K-Bodies.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

The original Bessey K-bodies had smaller diameter wooden handles and the bar was permanently staked to prevent the removal of the clamp head.