kreg automaxx vs bessey toggle

[ear3]

Got a couple of the Seneca bench dog clamp bases for my MFT style workbench, and am wondering what people prefer: Bessey toggle clamp, or Kreg Automaxx?  The Bessey is also significantly cheaper than the Kreg.  Thanks.

 

[nclemmons]

I have both.  I like the Kreg unit better.  The Bessey doesn't clamp as tight for me.  Plus the Automax has a bit more reach for more challenging depths particularly at angles.

 

[anthonyz]

Got a couple of the Seneca bench dog clamp bases for my MFT style workbench, and am wondering what people prefer: Bessey toggle clamp, or Kreg Automaxx?  The Bessey is also significantly cheaper than the Kreg.  Thanks.

I like the Automaxx, The reach is nice and easily adjustable. I made my own 20mm dog with ribs to grip to the table. works great.

 

[monstrol]

Maybe it's me but I couldn't get the automaxx to clamp tight enough, even with adjusting the little screw, when using pocket hole screws to keep the pieces from moving out of alignment.

 

[Wuffles]

Maybe it's me but I couldn't get the automaxx to clamp tight enough, even with adjusting the little screw, when using pocket hole screws to keep the pieces from moving out of alignment.

You will already know this I expect, but just in case you didn't. The screw works counter-intuitive to what you'd expect, caught me out. Mine clamp HARD, use them all the time for dominos - I watched Erock do just that in a video and I had to find them to purchase in the UK after that.

Do the Bessey clamps auto adjust?

 

[ear3]

Ended up ordering two of the 6in. Kreg automaxx.

 

[bertv]

I have both.  I like the Kreg unit better.  The Bessey doesn't clamp as tight for me.  Plus the Automax has a bit more reach for more challenging depths particularly at angles.

The Bessey can be adjusted for a tighter action.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I'm looking for clamps and the Kreg automaxx 3" looks good. Just seems to lack an easy way for mounting it on the mft 3, what is the solution I wonder..

The bessie clamps looked interesting until I found these.

Does this clamp render the Festool FS HZ quick clamp sort of obsolete most of the time? I suppose for some work like sanding the MFT-SP are still very useful.. Finally for thicker stock I'd just go for  the 300mm festool screw clamps

 

[Wuffles]

I'm looking for clamps and the Kreg automaxx 3" looks good. Just seems to lack an easy way for mounting it on the mft 3, what is the solution I wonder..

The bessie clamps looked interesting until I found these.

Does this clamp render the Festool FS HZ quick clamp sort of obsolete most of the time? I suppose for some work like sanding the MFT-SP are still very useful.. Finally for thicker stock I'd just go for  the 300mm festool screw clamps

Swap out the bolt in one of the Festool screw handle thingies (they pop apart to let you change the bolt easily) to the right type, and add a couple of big washers and you're golden. There are smarter solutions probably, but that's all I did.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I'm looking for clamps and the Kreg automaxx 3" looks good. Just seems to lack an easy way for mounting it on the mft 3, what is the solution I wonder..

The bessie clamps looked interesting until I found these.

Does this clamp render the Festool FS HZ quick clamp sort of obsolete most of the time? I suppose for some work like sanding the MFT-SP are still very useful.. Finally for thicker stock I'd just go for  the 300mm festool screw clamps

Swap out the bolt in one of the Festool screw handle thingies (they pop apart to let you change the bolt easily) to the right type, and add a couple of big washers and you're golden. There are smarter solutions probably, but that's all I did.

Thanks for the tip Wuffles! I found the kks-1120 on eBay UK for around 37 pounds expensive but a unique tool elegant design...

 

[Wuffles]

I'm looking for clamps and the Kreg automaxx 3" looks good. Just seems to lack an easy way for mounting it on the mft 3, what is the solution I wonder..

The bessie clamps looked interesting until I found these.

Does this clamp render the Festool FS HZ quick clamp sort of obsolete most of the time? I suppose for some work like sanding the MFT-SP are still very useful.. Finally for thicker stock I'd just go for  the 300mm festool screw clamps

Swap out the bolt in one of the Festool screw handle thingies (they pop apart to let you change the bolt easily) to the right type, and add a couple of big washers and you're golden. There are smarter solutions probably, but that's all I did.

Thanks for the tip Wuffles! I found the kks-1120 on eBay UK for around 37 pounds expensive but a unique tool elegant design...

Yes, Kreg stuff isn't as saturated in Europe as it seems to be in the US. I struggled to find them a couple of years ago, do enjoy using them though.

 

[bkharman]

I have used the Kreg clamps since they came out.  I added them on top of my Precision Dogs Clamp Plates and they do wonders!  I have so much holding power and with the long reach, I can clamp down a range of things without adjusting.

Video:


Precision Dogs Clamp Plate:
http://precisiondogs.us/products/precision-clamp-mount

Cheers.  Bryan.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I have used the Kreg clamps since they came out.  I added them on top of my Precision Dogs Clamp Plates and they do wonders!  I have so much holding power and with the long reach, I can clamp down a range of things without adjusting.

Video:


Precision Dogs Clamp Plate:
http://precisiondogs.us/products/precision-clamp-mount

Cheers.  Bryan.

Thanks for the demo video. I like the simplicity of the workflow with these clamps.. I'm poised to stamp the buy button...

 

[ear3]

I didn't realize Precision Dog made one -- it's actually slightly cheaper than the Seneca one, and I like the face that the dog is removable so it can be used for other applications when not clamping.

 

[bkharman]

I didn't realize Precision Dog made one -- it's actually slightly cheaper than the Seneca one, and I like the face that the dog is removable so it can be used for other applications when not clamping.

Yep. I have their plate for my TS fence and it does the same thing. It is nice to have a bunch of extra dogs when you need them!

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[GarryMartin]

Thanks for the tip Wuffles! I found the kks-1120 on eBay UK for around 37 pounds expensive but a unique tool elegant design...

Yes, Kreg stuff isn't as saturated in Europe as it seems to be in the US. I struggled to find them a couple of years ago, do enjoy using them though.

I buy all of my Kreg stuff from Xtools - always seem to have the best prices and stock pretty much everything (don't forget to "like" them on Facebook for an extra 5% off too!)  KKS-1120 is £27.65 incl VAT; delivery is reasonable too, or free for over £100.

http://www.xtools.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&filter_name=automaxx

 

[GarryMartin]

Swap out the bolt in one of the Festool screw handle thingies (they pop apart to let you change the bolt easily) to the right type, and add a couple of big washers and you're golden. There are smarter solutions probably, but that's all I did.

Great minds and all that - I bought some A4 Stainless Penny Washers off ebay - 40mm OD for M8 bolts. They work really well and provide plenty of surface area so that the 20mm holes in the MFT don't get damaged.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40mm-O-D-M6-M8-M10-M12-A4-MARINE-STAINLESS-STEEL-FLAT-PENNY-WASHERS-BOAT-/221135947867

 

[fshanno]

I think a third contender should be entered in the competition, Armor Tool.  There have been a couple of threads on FOG earlier in the year.

http://armor-tool.com/

I was in a Woodcraft today and they had a display.  They look good to me. 

 

[Wuffles]

Thanks for the tip Wuffles! I found the kks-1120 on eBay UK for around 37 pounds expensive but a unique tool elegant design...

Yes, Kreg stuff isn't as saturated in Europe as it seems to be in the US. I struggled to find them a couple of years ago, do enjoy using them though.

I buy all of my Kreg stuff from Xtools - always seem to have the best prices and stock pretty much everything (don't forget to "like" them on Facebook for an extra 5% off too!)  KKS-1120 is £27.65 incl VAT; delivery is reasonable too, or free for over £100.

http://www.xtools.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&filter_name=automaxx

Nice one Garry, not sure I need any now, but handy to have the link.

 

[waho6o9]

these Besseys work well for me:

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