Mixing Parallel Clamps

[buckeyeguy]

Hi all. First post. Just got a new TS 55 REQ and a CT Midi a couple days ago and am really liking the setup!

I was curious if anyone owns both the Bessey K-Body REVO and the Jorgensen Cabinet Master clamps. I have been looking at both and have read great things about both sets. However, I was curious if the top of the bars stood at the same height if clamping at 90 degrees and/or on the side jaw.

I don't have a preference as to brand, but can get the Cabinet Masters at a big box store near by. I've used the REVOs in my father's shop and liked them, but they would have to be ordered. My thinking was it would be nice to have the option to swing by some place to grab an extra when the situation arose.

 

[MrGinCT]

I have the Jorgessen Cabinet clamps and the older version of the Bessey Cabinet clamps.  Both are good clamps, but i tend to favor the Jorgessen clamps because the handles are easier to grip as they are fatter.
The one time I had an issue with a Jorgessen clamp, they replaced - no questions asked.

 

[bkharman]

Hey buckeye guy (in OH by the way?)

I have a lot of the Bessys and they are great at squaring. I have used them on a lot of projects and they never let me down.

(Making a clamp rack for my clamps!)

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[bkharman]

Hey buckeye guy (in OH by the way?)

I have a lot of the Bessys and they are great at squaring. I have used them on a lot of projects and they never let me down.

(Making a clamp rack for my clamps!)

Cheers. Bryan

 

[Cheese]

I don't own that particular Jorgensen clamp, (I own other versions) but do own both the old version and the new version of the Bessey Revo clamp.
The new version is far better than the the original version. The handle on the new version is of a slightly larger diameter and it has rubber inserts that allow you to tighten the clamp more securely while not having to put the death grip on the handle.

 

[Ajax]

I own a bunch of the Jorgensen Cabinet Masters.  I love 'em.  Mine were all made in the USA.  Recently they started making the clamps overseas.  You can tell by the lack of "Made In USA" stamp on the metal bar.  Additionally, the newest ones no longer have a hardwood handle.  They have a plastic/rubber handle.  None of this may matter to you, but this is what differentiated the Jorgensens from the Besseys for me.  Both are excellent clamps.

 

[w802h]

I've also wondered if the clamps are the same height, although I'm happy to only own Jorgenson's.  With the jaw open, facing up the distance from the workbench to the top surface of the bar measures 2 1/16".  If you use them vertically, the orange piece is about a 1/32" shy of 1.5".  Someone else will have to give you the Bessey measurements, if you don't already have them.  I

 

[buckeyeguy]

Thank you all for the responses. Didn't see a response for a while after I posted so I forgot about this thread. I haven't decided on which ones I personally want to go with yet. I have been using my Bessey H-style bar clamps which I like, but would like some parallel clamps for table top glue-ups.

With the jaw open, facing up the distance from the workbench to the top surface of the bar measures 2 1/16".  If you use them vertically, the orange piece is about a 1/32" shy of 1.5".  Someone else will have to give you the Bessey measurements, if you don't already have them.

This was exactly the info I was looking for. My father owns the Bessey REVO clamps so I can measure those to compare.

 

[w802h]

Buckeye,

Let us know if they line up when you measure!  Thanks.

 

[Steve-Rice]

Too bad you didn't ask this question in December as Home Depot had a great sale on their already low prices on Bessey Revos. I doubled my collection of Revos by the end of the year. I've used them for years and I'm very happy with their performance.

 

[polarsea1]

I've always wondered who had/has trouble tightening the old style Besseys, I'm 73 years old and can, without much effort,  twist them until the glue begs for mercy.  [smile]

 

[buckeyeguy]

Was at a local hardware store that has a decent variety of clamps and low and behold they had some of the Bessey Revo clamps in stock. I grabbed a tape and the distance from the bottom of the clamp feet to the top of the bar was 2 1/16 in or 53mm. I didn't take any other measurements, but it appears that they could be used interchangeably if you had an assortment.