Clamps and thoughts

[rvieceli]

Grainger doesn’t carry them anymore. I looked for a US distributor but couldn’t find one. They do have a contact form on their main site.
https://www.urko.com/en/about-us#contacto

Ron

 

[RKA]

Closest equivalent I've found in the US are the heavy duty Piher clamps (Rockler sells a lighter duty as well as the heavy duty versions) or the Bessey rapid action clamps.

 

[online421]

I have different types of clamps,

you can consider Frontline clamps if you do table tops, I have 8 of these babies and they are great.

If you do large/wide glue ups, you may need a glue table like this.

[attachimg=1]

I have no idea where you can buy them in North America, I was surprised I can buy them here in New Zealand.

The longest they come is over 12 ft. pretty impressive.

They are my favourite clamp, deep throat (125mm for 40mmx10mm bar section) and very heavily built.

It also helps if you have deep throat F clamp. I love my Urko F clamp. having Bessey sitting next to them make Bessey look like Wanna-Be clamps...

[attachimg=2]

need those giant urkos where do I buy them

I am not sure where you can buy them from in North America
I was surprised I can buy them here in New Zealand.

I use them more often than my T bar clamps, due to its deep throat and load capacity

 

[earcaesar1]

Did you forget to add anything?

 

[earcaesar1]

What are the thoughts about clutch f clamps vs the sliding ones? Bessey makes them either or

 

[RKA]

I use those for light duty applications like holding something to a work top or machine.  So I have a small selection of 6 and 12” versions of these.  The throat depth is shallow and they aren’t meant to apply a lot of pressure.  But they are small and light and sometimes that’s what you need.

 

[earcaesar1]

Well I had a couple cheap ones that were clutch from HF and the metal piece that puts pressure on the clutch bars broke. Is that common for those and why the bigger bars don't use them and just use the binding of the bar on the bottom to bind pressure?

 

[Cheese]

What are the thoughts about clutch f clamps vs the sliding ones? Bessey makes them either or

I've used Jorgenson clutch style clamps for years before I purchased some Bessey clamps. The Jorgensen work well and in some applications are easier to use than the Bessey.

The Jorgensen clutch engagement allows you to open the clamp up to any size you want without having the clamp handle assembly accidentally slide down the bar.  [mad]  You also have to be careful when tightening the Bessey clamps to put pressure on the clamp handle or otherwise you'll turn the screw but it won't engage the notches on the bar.  [sad]

Having said that, the Bessey really are the only clamps I use for woodworking when wood surface quality/no indentation are important.

 

[sancho57]

To the OP

Since you want to do picture frames, Bessy akes a nice strap clamp that works well once you get used to them. Also HF sells some cheap and nice ratcheting clamps. I used these once when I was inna pinch and needed some additional clamps for clamping up cabinet door panels. They worked really good. Im thinking about picking some up for my workshop here
https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-ratcheting-bar-clampspreader-62125.html

as far as table tops, it really depends on the length , width and thickness of the top. But for something like a coffee table/end table or a small kitchen table the Bessey redo clamps will do ya right. For much longer and wider tops they will work but you will need more and prolly glue up in stages until you get the width you want.

 

[sancho57]

[member=182]Corwin[/member]

[member=182]Corwin[/member]

This is a little off topic for this thread. Where is a good plce to buy lumber/ply etc near the Tri cities area? Thanks for your help. [smile]

Sorry, but I cannot help you with the Tri-Cities area. That's on the other side of the mountains from me. I have a difficult enough time finding suppliers anywhere near me.  [smile]

Im loking to move near the trip cities (still got to sell the wife on it) They have a Windsor ply shop there. It has a lot of stuff but not everything. I guess Ill be making a road trip to Portland or Seattle when I need some and then load up the truck. I do know a nice slavage yard out near Bend.  Ive been there once a long time ago. Cant remember the name but my good friend (like family) knows right where it is. It has all sorts of stuff.

 

[dlu]

If you're thinking about heading towards Portland or Seattle, you might want to consider going through Tacoma. Edensaw Woods has a location there and they can get most of what they have in Port Townsend there overnight. There is also Architectural Hardwoods in Tacoma. Plenty of good places in Portland (and no sales tax).

 

[sancho57]

Cool thanks. I have a small job coming up near the tri cities in the spring.  That info will come in handy.

 

[earcaesar1]

Where all would you suggest to buy some tradesman bessey clamps from or who would have some good black friday deals for clamps in general.

 

[dlu]

Where all would you suggest to buy some tradesman bessey clamps from or who would have some good black friday deals for clamps in general.

Acme Tool seems to have good pricing and free shipping.

 

[lwoirhaye]

JET had a seasonal sale of their parallel clamps for awhile.  I never bought any because I already had clamps.  I don't know if they're the best ones out there but with the discount people who bought them seemed to think they were a good deal.

 

[BarneyD]

Received a sale flier from japanwoodworker.com yesterday. Staring on the 27th they will have 30% off on the Bessey 'F' style clutch type clamps. The 24" version will be $10.32 ea.

 

[butzla]

If you're looking to clamp up large table tops, you're going to be into huge money for the type you linked to or the many different k-body style others have recommended.  Don't get me wrong, I have many k-body clamps but none longer than 36".  But back when I started out, i bought a handful of pony bar clamps and bought some black pipe to make several long lengths. I still use them to this day. 

Having a large assembly table will help you keep them flat.  Otherwise, there are many jig tables you can cobble together to help you with that.

 

[earcaesar1]

Looks like Woodcraft has a deal on bora parallel clamps for 99 with 2 x 24" and 2 x 31" what are people thought of the brand. Sale is on until the end of the day

 

[dlu]

Looks like Woodcraft has a deal on bora parallel clamps for 99 with 2 x 24" and 2 x 31" what are people thought of the brand. Sale is on until the end of the day

The prices today are $90 for two of the 24 or 31 inch clamps. Acme Tool's usual price on Bessey K-Body clamps is lower. Without no experience with the Bora clamps, I'd lean towards the Besseys.

 

[rmhinden]

Looks like Woodcraft has a deal on bora parallel clamps for 99 with 2 x 24" and 2 x 31" what are people thought of the brand. Sale is on until the end of the day

The prices today are $90 for two of the 24 or 31 inch clamps. Acme Tool's usual price on Bessey K-Body clamps is lower. Without no experience with the Bora clamps, I'd lean towards the Besseys.

Home depot also has very good prices for the 50 in. K-Body REVOlution (KRE) Parallel Clamp.  They usually have them in stock where I live.