Clamp recommendations

[Steve1]

I have 8 pipe clamp sets, and then a messload of different lengths of 3/4" pipe. I think they are all Bessey.
The problem I had was that the "fixed" end of the clamp will tilt with just a few pounds of force, and then move the workpiece.
So I added a small steel pad and screw at the bottom to remove the clearance.

 

[kevinculle]

I covered all of my large clamp handles with a grippy shrink tubing that I bought on the jungle river site. It's called "X-Tube Heat Shrink Wrap. You need a pretty stout heat gun to fully shrink it. It definitely helps considerably with the heartbreak of Geezer-grip.

 

[luvmytoolz]

It definitely helps considerably with the heartbreak of Geezer-grip.

Definitely feeling this one! ;-)

 

[smorgasbord]

As many know, the last couple iterations of Bessey's K-Body clamps have a 6mm hex socket in the end of the handle, so you can use a hex wrench to gain more leverage. I've thought about getting one of those ⅜" drive stubby ratchet handles and put a 6mm hex tip on it. Or maybe one of those round gimbal things:

 

[rvieceli]

It’s true that the new Bessey parallel clamps have that 6 mm hex socket. which is a blessing and a curse. Great for arthritic old guy hands BUT it’s also easy to crank down too much and distort the serrations in the rail which make the head stay in place. In theory Bessey says you can adjust a set screw in the head and take a bigger bite but I’ve never been able to get it to work.

Ron