Festool clamping elements or Bessey in-line auto adjust clamp?

[JimB1]

So I want to pick up some things to give me more options for clamping and lining up work pieces on my MFT. I really like the clamping elements but I saw these clamps from Bessey that Lee Valley has setup to use 20mm mounts and Bessey makes really well put together stuff so I was wondering if anyone has both or tried both and can tell me if the Bessey in-line clamp can do similar things to the clamping elements?

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=67627&cat=1,43838,43845&ap=1

I am thinking a pair of these and some Parf dogs or low profile stops should give me similar clamping capabilities to the elements but with a few more options in the Parf dogs for screwing on jigs and stuff.

Any thoughts on this?
Thanks
-Jim

Changed the link to the one that shows the 20mm posts...

 

[orm8426]

Think I prefer the design of the Festool.

 

[grbmds]

I have both. I like the Festool clamping elements for some things. I have used them to hold wood against the MFT fence if I need to make sure it doesn't move even a tiny bit during sawing, but you have to be careful not to clamp them too tight against the fence or it will push the fence out of square for that cut. I've also used them to hold pieces I'm working on in place while screwing or gluing.

The referenced Lee Valley hold downs I have not found quite as useful. It is a little difficult to place them in a useful spot with regard to holding work down. I also found that they don't seem to hold work pieces as securely (but, since I don't use them much, I might just not be as comfortable with them). I got them as part of the Lee Valley dog, clamping set for the MFT. I have used everything in the set when I need something that I don't have anything else to clamp with. I wouldn't recommend it, though, as it's kind of pricey for the use I've gotten from it.

I'd go with the Festool clamps, but it depends on what kind of work you do most often on the MFT and what you might use most. (I guess that's obvious.)

 

[Ellingferd]

I have the mft clamping elements set, and I use the bessey clamps all the time for various routing, cross cutting, etc. I think that having both would also not necessarily be a bad thing.

 

[Grasshopper]

Clamping elements all the way! The low profile of festool's elements makes sanding a breeze, where the bessy's would be in the way.

 

[John H]

If you want to have the full surface of your work piece available (if your sanding it for example) stick with the Clamping Elements

The Bessey 'horizontal' clamps which seem similar are in fact to high once you mount them on the plate - unless your working with something like 1 1/2" material.  For 3/4" material, they just don't work well

 

[bkharman]

I use the Festool clamping elements a LOT.  the low profile is great, they hold well and the only complaint would be that the metal used on them does "junk up" fairly quickly and sliding the element back and forth does get a bit bothersome but I have never had a major issue with them... sometimes have to go Arthur Fonzerelli on it to get it back in play.

I also really like my Precision Dogs Clamp and a Kreg long arm as it is quick and easy to clamp and release and no need to fidget with the clamp for any size (thickness) piece.  But if you need to sand the entire face of a workpiece, the Festool clamping elements can't be beat.  I will post a pic of the PD & Kreg clamp when I get down to my shop... darn you work that pays the bills!!  (fist shake in the air)

Cheers.  Bryan.

Pic as promised...

 

[Jimmy FineCut]

I have two of those bessey toggle clamps with the Veritas plates and love them. I find them very useful for routering and domino jobs.

 

[peter halle]

Festool Clamping elements work great with or without the knob installed underneath depending on your situation.  If the clamping pressure is too tight there is an adjustment bolt by the arm.

Peter

 

[Cheese]

These are not the Bessey in-line clamps, but they are the Bessey hold-down clamps with Lee Valley mounts. Love them because I can swap material sizes and they adjust for that. Front board is 1/8", rear board is 3/4" with both clamps set the same.
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[Bgladd]

I used those Bessey Clamps from Lee Valley, and they were fantastic! I have the Festool ones, but those Besseys were amazing.

Has anybody tried the Armor Tool clamps?

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[tbellemare]

I see them as two completely different animals...

The clamping elements hold from the side and the others from the top? I don't have those Besseys but it seems they are more of a replacement for a through-the-table screw clamp or quick clamp.

Tom

 

[grbmds]

I use the Festool clamping elements a LOT.  the low profile is great, they hold well and the only complaint would be that the metal used on them does "junk up" fairly quickly and sliding the element back and forth does get a bit bothersome but I have never had a major issue with them... sometimes have to go Arthur Fonzerelli on it to get it back in play.

I also really like my Precision Dogs Clamp and a Kreg long arm as it is quick and easy to clamp and release and no need to fidget with the clamp for any size (thickness) piece.  But if you need to sand the entire face of a workpiece, the Festool clamping elements can't be beat.  I will post a pic of the PD & Kreg clamp when I get down to my shop... darn you work that pays the bills!!  (fist shake in the air)

Cheers.  Bryan.

Pic as promised...

 

[grbmds]

I use the Festool clamping elements a LOT.  the low profile is great, they hold well and the only complaint would be that the metal used on them does "junk up" fairly quickly and sliding the element back and forth does get a bit bothersome but I have never had a major issue with them... sometimes have to go Arthur Fonzerelli on it to get it back in play.

I also really like my Precision Dogs Clamp and a Kreg long arm as it is quick and easy to clamp and release and no need to fidget with the clamp for any size (thickness) piece.  But if you need to sand the entire face of a workpiece, the Festool clamping elements can't be beat.  I will post a pic of the PD & Kreg clamp when I get down to my shop... darn you work that pays the bills!!  (fist shake in the air)

Cheers.  Bryan.

Pic as promised...

Do the Kreg clamps just mount directly to the Precision Dogs base? Is all the hardware included with the base or the Kreg clamp? I'm not familiar with either product, but it looks like it would be very useful.

 

[bkharman]

Do the Kreg clamps just mount directly to the Precision Dogs base? Is all the hardware included with the base or the Kreg clamp? I'm not familiar with either product, but it looks like it would be very useful.

You can see in the pic that the plate has 4 bolts on top... that is so it can work with Bessey and others that have the 4 bolt plates.  The Kreg has a single bolt underneath and that is connected to the bottom of the Precision Clamp plate.  I have a lot of other Precision Dog's items and they are all great quality.  the dog on the bottom of this is removable and is threaded in case you need that extra holding power.  Jerry @ Precision is a great guy to work with and like I said, makes very high quality items at a great price point.  Here is a pic of the undercarriage...

Cheers.  Bryan.

 

[Cheese]

I see them as two completely different animals...

The clamping elements hold from the side and the others from the top? I don't have those Besseys but it seems they are more of a replacement for a through-the-table screw clamp or quick clamp.

Tom
[/quote

This is Bessey's in-line version. However notice the the centerline of the spindle/head is 1 1/4" above the bench top. It will completely clear 3/4" stock.
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[copcarcollector]

Rockler has a clamp as well, designed to fit into T Track, you would have to make a solution for it to fit the dog holes...

http://assets.rockler.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/720x720/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/5/8/58616-02-1000.jpg

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

 

[JimB1]

I see them as two completely different animals...

The clamping elements hold from the side and the others from the top? I don't have those Besseys but it seems they are more of a replacement for a through-the-table screw clamp or quick clamp.

Tom
[/quote

This is Bessey's in-line version. However notice the the centerline of the spindle/head is 1 1/4" above the bench top. It will completely clear 3/4" stock.
[attachthumb=1]

Thanks For the pic Cheese, that's one of the things I was concerned about.

Judging by most of the responses it looks like the clamping elements are more immediately useful and the Bessey clamps may go on the back burner for now.

At least for my usage...
Thanks for the help and info everyone...
-Jim

Ps. Sorry Cheese, I originally thanked Tom for your pic, nested quotes threw me

 

[Ed Bray]

I have a set of the Clamping Elements, I also have a couple of Veritas 20mm Bench Blades and a couple of Veritas Wonder Pups.

For extra strong holding I would use the Wonder Pups in conjunction with a pair of Veritas 20mm Surface Dogs (I prefer these to the Parf Dogs for clamping because as well as a round surface they have a flat surface so gives more even clamping and does not mar the wood as much). This is not to say I don't use the Parf Dogs/Pups, I do, just prefer the Surface Dogs for clamping against.

The Bench Blades whilst very thin are quite restrictive in use and provided the bit of wood you are using fits between the dog holes and within the 1/4" travel of the blades then they are very good, especially for planing in conjunction with a Veritas planing stop. But it is rare that the wood does actually fit when using an mft and they need to really be used in conjunction with a vise as a quick release mechanism than as a normal clamping solution on an mft.

For speed clamping, then I don't think the Clamping Elements can be beaten.

 

[NERemodeling]

Between the bessey or clamping elements define try go with the clamping elements.. they are define try worth the money and super versitlal.  I do own both setups and do the think I ever actually used the besseys! Haha.
The clamping elements are lower profile and super fast and easy to use.. the besseys aren't quite as "auto adjust" as they claim they are..    also the distance between dog holes on the mft requires the longer throw of the clamping elements to insure you can clamp pieces of any width between dog holes
as another person mentioned. All mounted up, the pad on the besseys wouldn't even be able to clamp a piece of 3/4.. it is too high off the table