Bessey Rapid Action Clamps

**O2zi3** · 21st August 2013, 06:48 PM

Bought some new clamps...the Bessey LC8's aka GH20's in europe

2013-08-21 07.41.03.jpg 2013-08-21 07.41.13.jpg 2013-08-21 07.41.37.jpg

Here's the scoop i already had a GH16 (the samller version). They are quite exy ..i think i paid about $80 for it. Looked around, best price i found for these (LC8's)was $126 listed, without going into the shop. Ended up shipping them from the states for USD48 each.....even with delivery of $80...4 became about 1/2 price....Doesn't that just annoy u no end.

a few diffs...1s from US are stamped made in Germany, not the 1 i bought locally...i guess we get the asian made stuff.

Anyway if u are not familiar with these beasts...;they are just that, beasts..all metal construction (designed for welding). They are ratchet, therefore vibration proof. They dont let go of your work while you're routing. They can be operated 1 handed and they are easy to adjust e.g...1 click and the work can still be moved. 3 clicks and its goodnight. Worth the investment imo...bought once.

I dont use any vises......combinations of these = all vises (obviously set up is much slower but very versatile)

They are very well engineered as you would expect from the cost...but even in my 2 different types the GH16 and GH20....there are no common parts......it shows their attention to detail and engineering design. I LIKEY

**Pac man** · 21st August 2013, 06:52 PM

link to website you purchsed from would be handy

**O2zi3** · 21st August 2013, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Pac man

link to website you purchsed from would be handy

Blimey...that was quick.

Wasn't sure of the forum rules regarding posting links, anyway:

Bessey Clamps are SMART Clamps! | VerySuperCool Tools - Woodworking ToolsVerySuperCool Tools - Woodworking Tools

Very super cool tools...i have bought some other stuff from them...like the ultimate sharpening jig.

I am not affliated to them in any way. I was justy annoyed that we get gouged here in Oz when u can ship stuff from the US for 1/2 the price...JUST WRONG imo

**Old farmer** · 22nd August 2013, 01:18 PM

Thanks for your review and link, mate, very helpful.
I join you in your view of pricing.

**sleepy1963** · 8th September 2013, 01:09 AM

These clamps are the ducks guts we use them for clamping straight edges to 9 metre sheets of alluminium so we can rip them down with power saws and have never had any problems, ours are slightly bigger i would say but the same brand and design.

**Xanthorrhoeas** · 21st January 2014, 12:02 PM

I have not done an exact comparison and am only a hobbyist user but I picked up a couple of very similar (though green handled) clamps from Trade Tools last year (I have no affiliation with TT of any kind, am just an occasional customer). The TT ones certainly are heavy duty and hold on really well. Much cheaper than the Besseys and may be worth a look.

**GLENSPENS** · 25th January 2014, 06:00 AM

They look like they will do the job

**Xanthorrhoeas** · 30th January 2014, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Xanthorrhoeas

I have not done an exact comparison and am only a hobbyist user but I picked up a couple of very similar (though green handled) clamps from Trade Tools last year (I have no affiliation with TT of any kind, am just an occasional customer). The TT ones certainly are heavy duty and hold on really well. Much cheaper than the Besseys and may be worth a look.

Trade Tools rapid action clamp.JPG

**simops** · 7th February 2014, 08:00 PM

Bessey also make a cheaper version with plastic components. I have couple 6inch sized ones that work very well and are quite robust....as expected from a Bessey made product..... I got my pair from Masters pretty cheap.

**fletty** · 8th February 2014, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by simops

Bessey also make a cheaper version with plastic components. I have couple 6inch sized ones that work very well and are quite robust....as expected from a Bessey made product..... I got my pair from Masters pretty cheap.

Hi Simops,

Whilst not commenting on the Bessey LC8's the Bessey Kliklamps have a major flaw with the plastic components as noted below

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f171/b...aution-167821/

I can't tell from the pics on the LC8 if the trigger is plastic or metal but, if it is plastic, I certainly hope they are finally using UV stabilised plastic especially for a welding environment?

fletty

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Bessey Rapid Action Clamps

Trade Tools sell similar - much less expensive

Here is a photo of the Trade Tools model

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