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Thread: Irwin vs Bessey Clamps
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1st June 2008, 12:21 AM #1
Irwin vs Bessey Clamps
Hi Guys, I've moved back to Oz from overseas and need to re-buy clamps. I sold my Bessey clamps 12 years ago, been on the move since then, now time to buy clamps again.
Looking around at prices, I see Bessey clamps are 2-3x the price of Irwin clamps from Bunnings. Of course, the Irwin clamps only get to 1270mm opening. Perhaps that's not enough? The Besseys are much heavier and you can get them online in Oz to 1500mm, maybe more.
Specifically, let's compare the Bessey K body clamp to the Irwin XP clamps. Is there any compelling reason to buy one over the other? Thanks guys.
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1st June 2008, 12:30 AM #2
I don't own either but if I had the money I would go for the Bessys just because I think you would have more control over clamping pressure. With the Bessys you can tighten or loosen. I know with the Irwins you can tighten by squeezing harder but from my limited time playing with them in store I thought there was just a release leaver so in essense you can not loosen them as such, you can just remove the pressure completely and start increasing pressure again. I for one tend to stuff around alot when gluing up loosening and tightening different clamps until I am happy, the Irwins would soon annoy me if I could not back them off just a bit.
I am also in Perth and may be interested in sharing shipping costs if you find some cheap Bessys in the US and have a contact who can ship them at a reasonable rate, I am probably not the only one, maybe we can do a Great Bessy clamp order for WA forumites similar to what they have done over East in the past.
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1st June 2008, 12:37 AM #3
I have been using both pistol grip and screw type Irwin and screw type bessy (only smaller sizes 300-600) I have been happy with the screw type Irwin and Bessy over the pistol grip type. You can still get just the right amount of pressuer with the screw type to get good glue squeeze. And Irwin are cheaper. I just bought some 1200mm TTI brand sash clamps from toolies but have yet to try them.
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1st June 2008, 12:37 AM #4
Good point, Burnsy. Is it worth 3x the price? I suppose you only buy these things once ... or in my case, twice.
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1st June 2008, 12:38 AM #5
Claw Hama, what about all the hoo-haa Bessey put out about the exactness of the 90 degree angle of their clamps? Just sales BS?
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1st June 2008, 12:39 AM #6
Yes pistol grips are as Burnsy says. Go the screws!!
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1st June 2008, 12:42 AM #7
Which store is "toolies"? justtools?
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1st June 2008, 12:43 AM #8
Jet also make a clamp that is spouted as being 90 degree. Check out Timberline tools to see them and the Bessys. 50 inch Bessy US$52, 50 inch Jet US$41. Interesting to see what shipping would be to Perth if they would do it. Last time I looked the Irwins in that size range were around $40 so you would be looking at alot less than 3 times the price given the current exchange rate.
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1st June 2008, 12:43 AM #9
It might be an issue for smaller finer work but for larger furniture size work it doesn't seem to be an issue. I do definitly like the bessy's but Irwin are fine for the money.
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1st June 2008, 12:45 AM #10
Not sure if you have Toolies in teh West. Just goes under Toolies or Total tools here I think.
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1st June 2008, 12:47 AM #11
Hey, just bought 4 x Bessey 100cm K Body Clamps, less than AU$400 shipped. What the hell.
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1st June 2008, 12:49 AM #12
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1st June 2008, 12:53 AM #13
Damn it!! I see that I could have bought the same thing from Timberline for US$332 (AU$338). I paid the bigger price at justtools.com.au. Think I'll cancel it.
The key thing is PayPal, which I use. Timberline and Justtools both take PayPal, which is fairly unusual.
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1st June 2008, 01:04 AM #14
Trying to cancel the justtools order. They are pretty nice guys, shouldnt be a problemo.
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1st June 2008, 01:35 AM #15
Group buy time for Perth guys? I like the look of the Jet 50" clamps from Timberline. We can get them for $50ea in bulk (delivered), says Burnsy.
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