Festool 491594 vs Bessey GTR16S6H vs Busy Bee BB103 Quick Ratcheting Clamps

[unixisgoodforyou]

Hi,

I was interested in purchasing some quick ratcheting clamps.  (I am in Canada.)  Initially I looked at this link (https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...h-quick-ratcheting-clamp/msg589413/#msg589413 ), where people basically concluded that the Bessey was very similar to the Festool quick clamp, and maybe a bit better as theirs did not pinch the skin as much.

I noticed that Busy Bee tools makes a BB103 ratcheting clamp.  It is definitely different from the Festool/Bessey clamps.  The BB103 is cheaper, and claims to clamp with the same force as the other quick clamps.

Here's the link. https://www.busybeetools.com/products/ratcheting-guide-rail-table-clamp-6in.html

Does anyone own a set of BB103 clamps?

The best deal I have found in Canada for the Bessey's are $39 at elite tools.https://www.elitetools.ca/en/product/guide-rail-table-lever-clamp-bessey-gtr16s6h/

No one seems to sell Bessey clamps in 2 packs.
RWW

 

[Claimdude]

RWW,

I recently purchased some replacements for my Festool ratchet clamps. They are  Piher Mini T-Track Quick Clamps and I absolutely love them! I will be selling all my Festool clamps so if you need some I can make you a good deal on them. To my knowledge these claim can only be purchased from Go2Toolz.com. Gentleman by the name of Keith Bow at 585-749-4528. Great guy and stellar service. If you can't find what you are looking for at the website just reach out to Keith and you will get a quick response. There are two versions a 15cm and a 22cm length. The 15 is about the size of the Festool clamp. No more fiddling with holding the clamp arm up in position in order for the ratcheting mechanism to catch. Just open the minie, stick through the dog hole and pump the handle just like am Irwin clamp. I only have one hand so the festool clamp has always been a source of irritation for me. If you have any questions let me know or reach out to Keith at sales@bowlogistics.com

Jack Lemley

 

[Michael Kellough]

[member=10616]Claimdude[/member] thanks for the tip Piher makes good stuff. Do the track clamps fit through the MFT holes?

 

[Claimdude]

Yes, they fit the MFT holes perfectly!

Jack

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.

I noticed that Busy Bee tools makes a BB103 ratcheting clamp.  It is definitely different from the Festool/Bessey clamps.  The BB103 is cheaper, and claims to clamp with the same force as the other quick clamps.

The best deal I have found in Canada for the Bessey's are $39 at elite tools.https://www.elitetools.ca/en/product/guide-rail-table-lever-clamp-bessey-gtr16s6h/

No one seems to sell Bessey clamps in 2 packs.
RWW

A quick pictorial comparison suggests to me that if I use clamps not just for tracks, I would avoid the imported BB103 because the jaw is all metal (which could leave bite marks on the wood), assuming its ratcheting mechanism is as good as Festool's or Bessey's (both German).

As for the Bessey clamps, if your order is smaller than $100 (threshold for free shipping at Elite), your alternative is:https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/clamps/110662-bessey-ratcheting-track-clamp which has no minimum order for free shipping. Or consider the offer from Jack above.