Bessey clamps and MFT?

[arso_bg]

Hi everybody!

Does someone know if these Bessey clamps can be used with the Festool MFT ?
Can they fit into the holes?
http://www.woodpeck.com/besseyminiclamp.html

Thanks !

 

[Memphis Larry]

I don't know if it is the same item, but I bought some clamps at Lowes that looked like that one to see if it would work on the MFT.  They were listed as welding clamps.  The welding clamps from Lowes would have worked except the flattened part at the bent end of the clamp was too wide to fit through the hole w/o grinding it off.  I took them back and ordered some more Festool clamps instead.  [sad]

 

[JimRay]

I'm pretty sure that the Bessey's won't work. If you look at the top end you'll see that the cross section is a lot taller that what the Festool clamps have. I think that this will interfere with them sliding into the guide rails. I have not tried the Bessey's though. On the other hand, those are nice clamps, and at the worst, if you get them and they are not compatible, you'll have more clamps!

Jim Ray

 

[Qwas]

I have 2 of the 8 inch model of this clamp. It will not fit most of the holes due to the design. The  8 inch model will fit the outside 2 rows of holes since you can lower the clamp farther to get past that S hook on the bottom of the clamp. The 12 inch model might get to the third row of holes also.

 

[justinh]

i slotted the holes on my mft and mft style work bench to accomodate the Kreg bench clamp's bottom bolt.  the round holes now resemble a key hole.  the ridge on the bessey clamps slide right through the slot.  i prefer the bessey clamps to the festool as the tend not to slip.

justin

 

[arso_bg]

Thank you Justin!

This is very interesting. Could you post some pictures of the "key holes" so that we can better understand how you use the Kreg bench clamp on the Festool MFT ?

Is the MDF table top strong enough according to your experience to withstand the enormous forces without any damages when you use the Kreg clamp?

 

[justinh]

i don't have any pictures but it looks like the slot and hole in either of the Kreg clamping plates.  the mdf handles the pressure fine. 

 

[woodwreck]

NO  I got tired of the guessing so I went and bought one locally as you show. Model "MM" $25. The throat of the clamp is too short, so that it only fits the outer row of holes on the table in order to swing upright. It is about 1/2 shallower than the Festool clamp.

Now I will go return it.    [dead horse]

 

[arso_bg]

Thank you for your efforts and the info Woodwreck

It's a pity that they don't fit ...

Regards

 

[worknfool]

Just bought a handful $10 a piece for the 12", and they fit. The tail piece has to be slid to the very end of the beam to allow the head to be manipulated into the hole.

 

[vkumar]

Just bought a handful $10 a piece for the 12", and they fit. The tail piece has to be slid to the very end of the beam to allow the head to be manipulated into the hole.

Can you please post which specific make and model fits and where did you get it?
Thanks.
Vijay

 

[worknfool]

Sorry I didn't respond earlier, actually I'm sorry I opened my big mouth at all. Went back to check and the 12" only works within the first two rows of holes. Mid-table is still out of reach. The supplier was Skarie in Baltimore. Don't know if the ship but their number is (410) 728-6000.