Useful Bessey KR-Body Clamp sizes?

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Wuffles

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May 23, 2013
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I've got a number of naff aluminium sash cramps, I've tried squashing peas with them before and the heads need resetting, so I'm going to go down the Bessey route.

I do have a couple of them already, think they're 600mm and they're super good - but you all know that.

My question is, if I were to buy a set of 4, I'm torn between 1000, 1250 and 1500. What do you find yourselves reaching for? I know, how long is a piece of string.

I work with reclaimed wood making "things", bits of wood I find off the beach, cabinets (rarely over 1m wide)...as I type this I can feel I am answering my own question.

Anyhoo, it's typed now, so what do you think? Given they can be joined too, I suppose it makes it easier.
 
My thoughts:

1) If you don't need bigger than 1000, get the 1000's.

2) However with that said the main cost is the jaws, not the bar, so you might as well go for at least the 1250 for that just incase factor.
 
Locks14 said:
My thoughts:

1) If you don't need bigger than 1000, get the 1000's.

2) However with that said the main cost is the jaws, not the bar, so you might as well go for at least the 1250 for that just incase factor.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's where I am...and then I think, hmm, what about the 1500 in that case. I'm just lucky they don't sell 1750s.
 
I started with 4 600mm clamps which were brilliant and I use them more than any other. I then bought 4 1500mm ones and have used them a lot (because you can never have too many clamps) but find them a real pain for the vast majority of tasks which only require much shorter ones. I then bought 4 800mm clamps (all KRs) to give me slightly longer reach but retain most of the ergonomic benefits of shorter clamps. Why not get some 800s or 1000s and 4 coupling bars? (if you get the coupling bars I would go with the 800s). I bought a set of coupling bars at the same time I got the 1500s but have never needed to use them.
 
cliffp said:
I started with 4 600mm clamps which were brilliant and I use them more than any other. I then bought 4 1500mm ones and have used them a lot (because you can never have too many clamps) but find them a real pain for the vast majority of tasks which only require much shorter ones. I then bought 4 800mm clamps (all KRs) to give me slightly longer reach but retain most of the ergonomic benefits of shorter clamps. Why not get some 800s or 1000s and 4 coupling bars? (if you get the coupling bars I would go with the 800s). I bought a set of coupling bars at the same time I got the 1500s but have never needed to use them.
Click to expand...

That's the spirit, I was hoping for an anecdote along the lines of "hey, these were too long and annoyed me", as I am a clear candidate for that exact thing happening. I'll re-think what my maximums are because perhaps the 1000s will do the job - as everyone is pointing out.
 
Whatever size you get will be great, until that one job where they're too short. And that WILL happen, and sooner than you think!
 
jonny round boy said:
Whatever size you get will be great, until that one job where they're too short. And that WILL happen, and sooner than you think!
Click to expand...

The flip side.

There's been times where I could have done with 2.5m, or a hammer.

I have a nice Estwing hammer.
 
Hi I work with reclaimed too, hope its going well for you. We are are in brighton. I know somerset pretty well and love it. Anyway!! Id go for the 1500s to cover yourself. Definitely, unless your really limited for space.
working with reclaimed and maintaining the character of the wood often means not planing it down. As you prob know this means its not always that square. The besseys are pricey because they are designed dead square for exacting tasks. Do you think you really need them? We use good t-bar clamps like record, that help squash things together when not square and besseys when using prepared wood. Just a thought...
 
Yes, I've got some rusty sash ones which do apply a lot of force, but it's the size of the heads on the Bessey ones that I liked.

I went for 1000s in the end, as if I need more I can join them. From DM-Tools they came with a free pair of smaller UNI ones too.
 
Wuffles said:
Locks14 said:
My thoughts:

1) If you don't need bigger than 1000, get the 1000's.

2) However with that said the main cost is the jaws, not the bar, so you might as well go for at least the 1250 for that just incase factor.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's where I am...and then I think, hmm, what about the 1500 in that case. I'm just lucky they don't sell 1750s.
Click to expand...

Would a 2mtr
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BESSEY-KR200-2K-2000mm-KR-PARALLEL-JAW-CLAMP-/390612580046?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

or even 2.5mtr do you?  [big grin] [big grin]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BESSEY-KR250-2K-2500mm-KR-PARALLEL-JAW-CLAMP-/390612579997?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5af252f69d
 
Yes, I meant the 1750 being an unhelpful stepping stone into going to the 2000 and beyond.

Now they're on the shelf I doubt I'll use them for ages, naturally. Much like the RO150 I got yesterday, unless it can help me lay my patio.
 
I started with a couple of the 600mm plus a couple of the 800mm.  I am afraid my collection has grown several times since…..

If you can manage the 1000mm, by all means get them, however 800mm certainly 'get in the way less'.

What I don't believe has been mentioned above is going the other way - that is, I find the 300mm indispensable as an addition to the longer clamps.

The joining extrusions are very useful as has been mentioned, however, if you try to clamp too hard there is some flex at the join.  Great for occasional use however eventually I also got a couple of the 2.5m KRV series where you can slide both ends in order to clamp anywhere you want along the length of the bar.

So, in summary, suggest a set of 600mm plus 800mm (or 1000mm) plus a couple of the joiners plus a set of 300mm when you realise just how useful they would be.

John
 
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