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Thread: F clamps

  1. #1
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    Default F clamps

    Hey fellas,

    I'm not sure if this post is in the right place (please move if not).

    I've just started a small collection of tools in my tiny workshop and am in need of some advice in regards to F clamps. I made the mistake of buying a bunch of Irwin quick grips that I find don't have enough clamping force.

    So after doing a small amount of research, I found that the local carbatec stocks bessey tg series 300mm clamps at $74nzd a pop. Supercheapauto however sells 300mm F clamps for $10.50nzd. I can understand that these two are on the opposite ends of the quality spectrum, but what I'd like to know is, are the bessey clamps worth 7 of the SCA variants? Should I get a few of the bessey's now or a whole a bunch of the SCA?

    Cheers,
    Umar.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

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  3. #2
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    Default

    Hi Umar,

    I'm sure that question's been asked a thousand times but I'll put in my two bob's worth. Of course more expensive is normally better. But the focusing question naturally is (as you've asked) the degree of "better".

    I have about 20 F-clamps. They are a mixture of cheap (SCA) and not cheap (in my case Sandvik). In EVERY case the go-to clamp for me is the Sandvik. They just work as they should. There is no flex or bending when you tighten them and the sliding part moves freely (even after forty years). And they don't rust. But I don't need 20 of them! Occasionally I need to use all 20 clamps and then I put up with the inadequacies of the cheapies.

    So I guess the answer is if you want hassle free clamping and are prepared to pay for it then buy the Besseys. If you're happy to compromise and spread your money around other tools then buy a mixture. But definitely but some of the Besseys (or equivalent).

    Steer clear of the "ultra" cheapies because they flex badly and rust easily.

  4. #3
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    Default

    Do a search on this forum...top right corner, you will find heaps of other information and from memory places to buy quality at resonable prices ( I think)
    I would love to grow my own food, but I can not find bacon seeds

  5. #4
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    Default F Clamps.

    Hi Umar,
    Try the Local Sat. / Sun. Markets & I'm sure you will find some good F Clamps.
    They will be a Fraction of what you are looking at.
    Regards,
    issatree.
    Have Lathe, Wood Travel.

  6. #5
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    Default

    Yes definitely get some of the Bessey clamps . They cost but the job is made much easier when your not having to fluff around with the cheap rubbish. Maybe buy two or four and keep hunting for a better deal or a cheaper but similar quality clamp to turn up.

    I had to bite the bullet and go out and spend over 3 G on Bessy clamps 20 years ago I bought them off some tool wholesale guy who supplied the shops with them . Something or other Trading ?? I forget now . I had been putting up with cheap stuff for to long and it was costing me in time and quality.

    I was also lucky once and came across a Blue Bessey type copy at a timber yard . I think they were $12 each for the 300 mm They work the same as a Bessey , no difference really . I tried two then went back and bought all I could.
    Ive had jobs where every 300mm clamp in the workshop is on one job , about 50 clamps.

    I do love those new Irwin quick grip clamps as well now. The downside to high power Bessey clamps is the weight . Some jobs cant take much weight so these quick grips are really good in the right situation . I never thought when I first saw them that I would ever need a cheap looking thing like that ! I tried two then went and got a heap more. They are fantastic . I have a job on the go right now restoring a 100 YO violin case , A light weight jigsaw puzzle in pieces, with strange clamping angles all over the place basically . The two ways I'm clamping is either with masking tape or those Irwin's.

    A few months back I was at a mates workshop and he had a heavy duty pair of Irwin's, He pointed out something I thought no clamp did and I thought I would have to make one day. The ability to take the fixed end off and put it up the other end facing out so that the clamp can be used as a separating clamp , to push things apart!! Man that's a need Ive had lots of times in the restoration of Antique chairs . to be able to put outward pressure in between the legs and tap with a mallet should be good. They are a beefy clamp to be used in the normal way as well . I just ordered two off ebay a few days ago, 900 mm long . Ill get a few more if they are good.

    Rob

  7. #6
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    Default

    For the F clamps I ended up purchasing from SCA a range of three sizes 300, 600 and 1000mm. I found that the longer ones I was not using them so I ended up selling them on the forum. I have since purchased a couple of Bessey cabinet clamps as replacements and have used them very rarely. My thoughts were if I need them I at least have them.

    Getting back to the F style clamps couple of things to look out for and that is to ensure that the threads are thick and squarish, not coming to a sharp point. You will know what I mean when you look at them. It is better to test each to ensure a smooth action from the very beginning to the very end of the thread. Do this before purchase and don't worry if people are looking at you they will soon be bored and move on.

    It is better for the handle to be thicker as this will allow you to use both hands to tighten if necessary. I have used the 300mm F clamps to hold things together on projects and I needed more force then what would normally be used in a glue up. Then I look at how easy it would be to replace a handle if it breaks. I think most F clamps will allow you to replace a handle, so far none of mine have broken.

  8. #7
    rrich Guest

    Default

    There is quality and quality.

    The Bessey 'UniKlamp' is cheap and meh.
    The top of the line Bessey clamps are about the best. They are designed to offer square clamping pressure.
    Irwin has two clamp styles. Quick Grip with the big fat bar and 36 inches offers the most clamping pressure that I've seen. The Irwin Quick Clamp (I think that is the name.) look the same as the QG but are obviously designed for less clamping pressure.

    There are some square clamps with bigger and wider clamping feet enclosed in plastic that are poor. (Jet with red feet and Wood River with green feet.) These clamps tend to slip on the bar. The shims inside the clamps are made of too soft of a steel and deform easily.

    As a general rule, the cheaper the "F" clamp, the thinner the bar. The thinner the bar, the easier the clamp slips out of square. The easier the clamp slips out of square, the greater likelihood that the clamps will bounce off the work.

  9. #8
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    Default

    There are modifications that you can make to the F-clamps to make them parallel clamp lite. Search youtube for details.
    You can also buy some nice parallel clamps from Aldav, a member here on the forum. I have a few of his parallel clamps I thoroughly recommend them.

  10. #9
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    Default Watch the Grip

    Hi Umar

    I bought some inexpensive F-clamps from Bunnings about ten years ago - they seem nice and heavy and are branded Shield, cost less than A$10 each.

    But they are useless. The grip simply lets go at the most inconvenient time, and the clamp arm slides along the bar.

    Then I bought some lightweight QuickGrips - four for A$19.99. These are reliable, and I compensate for their weaker clamping action by using heaps of them. Price has crept up and they are now usually stocked at A$16 each, but every six months they are put on special at A$29.95 for a four-pack. ($7.50 each = cheap.)

    If I was going to buy more cheap F-clamps then I would buy one or two and try them out vigorously before investing in more.

    A mate uses Bessey's; I just drool.


    Cheers

    Graeme

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by GraemeCook View Post
    Hi Umar

    Then I bought some lightweight QuickGrips - four for A$19.99. These are reliable, and I compensate for their weaker clamping action by using heaps of them. Price has crept up and they are now usually stocked at A$16 each, but every six months they are put on special at A$29.95 for a four-pack. ($7.50 each = cheap.)

    Cheers

    Graeme
    +1 for the QuickGrips. I bought a pack of four recently at that price and thought they were a steal. Yes they don't have the holding power of decent F-clamps but for some operations they're invaluable.

    Tony

  12. #11
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    Default

    Hi Umar,

    Surprised this hasn't been clarified yet, what are you using the clamps for?

    Different clamps are designed for different applications, such as using Bessey parallel clamps for gluing small pieces together is overkill. Similarly using long F clamps or quick clamps to glue multiple strips together is going to end up with alignment issues.

    Depending on the Irwin clamps you got I'm surprised you're having insufficient clamping pressure, as I can definitely apply enough force to crush some pine with mine. Are your edges jointed? or are you trying to squeeze the joint close? Either way you don't need much pressure to hold the joint together, as too much pressure will result in excess glue squeeze out in a properly jointed edge and a badly jointed edge will pop loose eventually. You should be able to close the joint with hand pressure and clamps just to hold in place.

    Also are your Irwins slipping? or flexing when you clamp? as its a known issue with some of the Qlikclamps where the clutch mechanism slips when you're clamping. If they're slipping take the clamp apart and give it a good clean with some methylated spirits to remove excess oil/lubricant/dust and give it another go.

    To answer your question, yes and no, Bessey clamps are significantly better than the SCA alternative, are they 7 times more? only your wallet can answer that question. Like others have mentioned, without unlimited funds you will probably end up with a mix of cheapies and pricey clamps all of which you'll use at some point or another.

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by tonzeyd View Post
    .....
    Different clamps are designed for different applications, such as using Bessey parallel clamps for gluing small pieces together is overkill. .....
    Umar was talking about the expensive Bessey F-clamps; Not their hyper-expensive Bessey parallel clamps.

  14. #13
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    I have the cheapies, Bessey's and good collection of second hand Dawn F clamps. Check out the Garage sales, markets and car boot sales for brands as Dawn, Paul Call & Record.
    Pat
    Work is a necessary evil to be avoided. Mark Twain

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by GraemeCook View Post
    Umar was talking about the expensive Bessey F-clamps; Not their hyper-expensive Bessey parallel clamps.
    Thanks...

    I understood Umars commment, my comment was around irrespective of what clamp you get they all have a place in a workshop eventually as you can never have enough clamps.

  16. #15
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    Sorry for the super late reply!

    So I had taken everyone's advice into consideration and had decided to get both bessey and SCA clamps so that I could begin my project. After a few weeks, I picked up a couple of bessey 250mm clamps everytime I went to mitre 10 and now have eight 250mm's. I also picked up 20 SCA f 600mm that I cut down to 400mm (a more useful size for me), these I just needed to be able to complete my new workbench. The SCA clamps will eventually be slowly phased out as I collect more bessey's over the coming months... Or not, as you can never have too many!

    I can definitely feel the quality difference between the SCA and bessey F clamps, everything is just built sturdier and "nicer". It's like going from a Honda to a Mercedes.

    Thank you to everyone for your advice, im sorry I'm not giving each person an individual response but I hope this will do.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

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