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Thread: Parallel clamps
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2nd January 2020, 01:14 PM #1SENIOR MEMBER
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Parallel clamps
This question popped up in a post kuffy started but it's a little of topic so worthy of a separate thread.
Its probably been discussed ad nausea before so please advise if this is the case.
Anyhoo.
I'm in need of some parallel clamps for an upcoming furniture project. Currently I've been using some pipe clamps (1.5m) but I suspect this won't be enough.
From what limited I see there are bessey, torquata or mcjings being the ones mentioned most for a weekend woodworker. There may be other brands I should include so please advise.
The price point for bessey and torquata are pretty equal now for the 1m ones ($92 vs $97), mcjings are about half the price.
In the kuffy post someone mentioned that the torquata type might be rebadged jet clamps.
What are the pros and cons of these and how do they stack up?
Some posts talk about needing to modify the claps to make them useable so please advise if this is the case.
Regards,
Adam
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2nd January 2020 01:14 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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2nd January 2020, 01:59 PM #2
Another option is DIY. If you do a google search you will find loads of easy to follow DIY options.
I have a handful of Bessey clamps from the group buy several years ago and they are good. But I won't be buying any more. If I need more, I will make them.
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2nd January 2020, 03:06 PM #3
I have the Torquata ones and I like them, they clamp parallel and the metal bar seems strong enough. I wait till they are on sale and then buy the 4 packs from Timbecon, they work out way cheaper than Bessey that way. Haven't tried Aldav's clamps, heard good things but the shipping over to Perth makes the Torquata a better option as I can pick up in person.
Need to buy some more soon for upcoming builds but waiting for some clamp brackets to arrive from Mcjing so I can make a clamp trolley.
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2nd January 2020, 03:32 PM #4
I did just notice Timbecon have some heavy duty parallel clamps which I haven't tried yet, I have the cheaper ones with the black bar. I need longer clamps now so will probably try the HD ones out once they restock the 4 packs.
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2nd January 2020, 04:18 PM #5GOLD MEMBER
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Aldav isn't getting new stock in as far as I know - pity because the clamps are very good. He may have some limited remaining stock.
Don't get the McJings - I got one to try after Aldav stopped supplying. They're big, clunky, and much poorer quality.
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2nd January 2020, 06:00 PM #6rrich Guest
I have the Jet, a.k.a. Torquata. There are some that are green in color sold by Woodcraft that are identical except for the color.
In a warranty claim with Jet, they sent me 4 new ones. I recycled the old ones.
I am trying to be polite and not get banned.
They all tend to slip if they are tightened too much. The problem is that the gripping teeth are made from too soft of a steel. Once they slip because the edges of the teeth burr their gripping power is severely reduced. My advice here is to buy the Bessey clamps.
Here the Bessey will be in a 4 pack for maybe $20 more than the Jet, also on sale.
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2nd January 2020, 07:39 PM #7GOLD MEMBER
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Thats pretty much a deal breaker for me in regards to Torquata.
If there is any interest in Bessey parallel jaw clamps I would be willing to organise
Was the last group buy through Bessey directly, the Australian imprter/distributor or a retailer?
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2nd January 2020, 08:31 PM #8SENIOR MEMBER
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I'd be interested in a group deal. I've been considering getting a set of 4 x 1000mm.
Regards,
Adam
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2nd January 2020, 08:53 PM #9GOLD MEMBER
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+1 for group buys
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2nd January 2020, 09:00 PM #10GOLD MEMBER
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Right guys, which one of you is putting your hand up to do the legwork.
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2nd January 2020, 10:00 PM #11SENIOR MEMBER
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I got some clamps from aldav before he stopped selling.
they are very good and I prefer using them to the two Bessey I have of the same length.
I do wonder if they're available by other means in Australia?
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2nd January 2020, 10:07 PM #12SENIOR MEMBER
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I'd be in a group buy.
Peter
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2nd January 2020, 10:09 PM #13GOLD MEMBER
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There might be a few available from the guys who stole 32 from me just before I ran out of stock. I've got no idea how to contact them though. I've never seen anybody else selling the Parallel Action Clamps in Australia. The only other seller I'm aware of is Peachtree Woodworking in the US. No reason you couldn't do a group buy on them, they'd be much cheaper than Besseys.
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2nd January 2020, 11:19 PM #14GOLD MEMBER
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Can you go into a bit more why you prefer them?
Also are you comparing to current generation Bessey or the older ones? I have the current ones now and they are fantastic. Easy to open and close and can be cranked down on pretty hard.
Old Bessey https://www.toolboxbuzz.com/wp-conte...8/05/aaaaa.jpg
new Bessey Bessey K-Body Revo Clamp
Damn that sucks, dogs. Did you have any idea who took them? People who do stuff like that are scum.
The company in Taiwan who makes them actually emailed me about their parallel clamps March last year - she mentioned that they were going to make them again. If anyone is interested I can ask her. Its going to be Chinese new year soon not sure when they will go on their break.
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My experience with parallel clamps, just to stay on topic with the OP, is that I have used McJing's and Bessey
The McJing ones are no good. They can break if you crank down too hard. I am weak too. They're also difficult to open/close, esp once you get a bit of glue on the bar.
I dont have anything bad to say about the Bessey's. You dont have to think about them - they just work.
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3rd January 2020, 09:06 AM #15SENIOR MEMBER
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Qwertyu, I do have the older ones going by your pics.
My preference is just in ease of handling.
I have found the ones from aldav just a bit smoother to use.
I think they may be a touch lighter than my Bessey ones.
The Bessey are still very good clamps
I may need to check out the newer ones.
Or take advantage of a group buy if that happens
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