Which Clamps Should I Buy?

[McNally Family]

This is where I buy my clamps (Bessey).  Right now I am stocking up on the Bessey Rapid Action Clamp LC8.  The 8" covers a bunch of quick clamping needs.
http://vsctools.com/shop/product-category/bessey-clamps/

I like this guy, and also purchase my sheet sandpaper for my RS 2E sander from him.  My Son and I are also going to build his "Ultimate Work Table" as our first project together;
http://vsctools.com/shop/the-ultimate-work-table/

He only lists a few different types and sizes of Bessey clamps on his site, but points out that he can order anything from their catalog.  His prices seem as good as any I have found...

 

[Oldwood]

I have a lot of clamps I have collected over the years but the ones I reach for first these days are these ones.http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=70618&cat=1,43838

They are nice and light and don't have sharp edges to damage the product. They don't have deep jaws and are not the answer for all glue ups but when they work they are a pleasure to use.

I have a bunch of wood clamps I made with the help of the Beale wood threader kit and they are some of my most used hand clamps

Gerry

 

[Gregor]

The KliKlamp KLI are nice as extra hands and are very light (plus 10 of the 25cm ones fit nicely into a drawer of the new systainers).

For Cabinets and such the Bessey Revo KRV are great (heavy but very sturdy), IMHO.
While the KR version is a bit cheaper, always go for the KRV since they're way more versatile:

• move blocks to where you need them, so you can decide where you want the excess of the bar
• remove the stopper and move the end block so it sits flush with the end of the bar (turning it into a KR, function wise)
  
• extend them with the KBX20 when you need longer reach, or (since you can order all parts seperatly) obtain rails in other length and slide the blocks over to assemble a clamp the size you want at the moment
  
• move the blocks from one onto another in case you need dual clamping on one bar
  

Also the KP set is nice when building boxes with the KR(V) since you can fix them onto a worktop and have a result that is guaranteed to be square in the end. And the KR(V) can deliver very high pressure (7000 N).

Bessey is a quality manufacturer, they have excellent service in case you have problems and make everything available as spare parts. Stuff from them is for life, and - while they're not that cheap as stuff from china - I at least neither have enough money to rebuy cheap stuff several times since it breaks nor the nerve to deal with bad quality (the reason I buy Festool).

Should you look for a load of budget clamps for lower pressure scenarios: take a look at HKL 40 (or the original Klemmsia, the Bessey is identical to it) - they are also very durable when treated as intended and work nicely, plus they're cheap to get used.

 

[online421]

For small jobs I use Bessey F clamp
For bigger job I use Urko F clamp
For small panel job I use T bar clamp
For boxes, irregular shapes I use Lamello band clamp
For bigger panels, initially I used standard Record t bar clamps, I then moved onto Frontline Clamps, and then pneumatic table clamp, now I use a modified Frontline clamp, I modified the standard Frontline clamp with a Pneumatic ram.

 

[roblg3]

Until you spend thousands of dollars on clamps you will never have enough or the right amount of the right kind. Every type of clamp has a purpose and every type of clamp is necessary from time to time. Quick clamps are find for holding something still, but useless for pulling pieces together. Bessey make very high quality parallel clamps that are amazing, but often unnecessary. Jorgensen makes good clamps too. Many projects are completely fine without the need for major clamping force. A Bessey K body(my clamp of choice) is almost never needed. Good fit and finish comes well before any clamp is ever placed. If I need 900-1500 psi clamping force, my problem is in the production of my pieces.

 

[Holmz]

Until you spend thousands of dollars on clamps you will never have enough or the right amount of the right kind. Every type of clamp has a purpose and every type of clamp is necessary from time to time. Quick clamps are find for holding something still, but useless for pulling pieces together. Bessey make very high quality parallel clamps that are amazing, but often unnecessary. Jorgensen makes good clamps too. Many projects are completely fine without the need for major clamping force. A Bessey K body(my clamp of choice) is almost never needed. Good fit and finish comes well before any clamp is ever placed. If I need 900-1500 psi clamping force, my problem is in the production of my pieces.

^He speeketh the truth^
I got couple of K clamps... Or just a use the dog holes on the MFT table.
And then get more as you need them, but not before.
Basically you do not need a bevy of clamps, only a Goldilocks amount.

 

[JimD]

I've built a lot of furniture for our houses and my kids houses with relatively cheap clamps.  My long clamps - 3 feet to 6 feet - are pipe clamps.  Harbor Freight models work pretty well - particularly the ones for 3/4 pipe.  One nice thing is you can couple the short ones to make long ones.  I have 4 3 feet long, about 6 that are about 4 feet long and a couple that are 6 feet long.  I find four footers the most useful.  And if you couple the 4s to the 3s (or each other) you can have some really long ones when you need it.

I also have 6 small bar clamps, also HF.  They work fine.  And I have a bunch of C clamps.  Mostly HF but some other brands too.  Three inch to 6 inch.  The threes are a little small.  I mostly use these to glue up thick legs for beds or tables.  The 2 foot HF clamps get pulled out too when I run short. 

I'm going to buy some aluminum HF bar clamps some day.  I think they are a little flimsy but I've seen a you-tube about putting a wood bar down the center to stiffen them up.  I'll probably get them around 4 feet long. 

I don't have a lot of HF power tools (but their vibratory saw is OK and I like my big hammer drill) but their hand tools are good buys.  I'm sure the nicer brands work a bit better buy I don't think my cheap clamps affect the quality of my projects at all.