First Gloat???

[greenacres2]

I'm brand new to woodworking--bought a brand new BT3000 in 1996 to rebuild my garage after a fire, only made an occaisional cut here and there since. I've used my BT3000 more in the past 3 months than i did in the past 16 years total.

Inspired by what i've learned here, i've picked up a few good deals in the last few months to really get very well equipped, but i might have done all right on Friday.

Got a package of 8 Bessey WS-3 corner clamps for $72 (shipping was an additional $20) an average cost of $11.50 each including shipping (and no tax). They arrived today--no scratches, marks or dust, as if new. Timing was perfect--i'm all set to make a few frames for LOML whose birthday is jsut 10 days after Mother's Day.

Gloat-worthy????
earl

[Cochese]

Absolutely. That's near Harbor Freight prices.

[LCHIEN]

good deal 4 u; they go for $25-40 ea. at the retail stores.

[cabinetman]

Yes a very worthy gloat. Now all you need is wood.

.

[pelligrini]

Yea, you suck!

I've seen them on real good sales a couple times for about $15ea, but that isn't a normal price by a long shot. I've got a couple of those and I do like them.

[Pappy]

Good deal.

If you plan to make a lot of picture frames, invest in a good band clamp. The make pulling all 4 corners tight and square much easier.

A couple that I use are the Bessey Vario and a Merle Band Clamp. I prefer the steel banded Merle for 4 sided frames. The steel band makes it easier to set up, at least to me.

The Vario uses a nylon web band which makes it a bit harder to set up until it is slightly snug against the wood. The advantage is that extra corners are available and easy to attach and remove for frames with more than 4 sides. Extra corners are available for the Merle but are a little harder to add and remove (at least on the older version that I have).

The Vario is avalable from Woodcraft at a cost of $42.50.

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/200...rap-clamp.aspx

I also found this one that is a little cheaper ($22.95) but the band is only 6' and the reviews weren't very good.

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/200...and-clamp.aspx

Merle clamps are sold through MLCS for $29.95.

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shops...rle_clamp.html

My recommendation would be to go with either the Vario or the Merle. Both come with 23' bands and mine have given me good service for several years.

[greenacres2]

It's nice to get a "you suck"!! Thanks.

Cabinetman--i had some wood, but i turned it into scrap and sawdust over the past several weekends!!

Thanks Pappy--i'm not setting out to do a lot of frames, but i got some Italian postcards and Lira for my wife, and she'll enjoy them in rustic frames. Not sure i can pull off rustic, but i can guarantee crude!! Actually, i just finished up a bookshelf that a pair of the Merle clamps would have saved a ton of assembly time. I had one aluminum corner clamp and a Rockler corner, so i glued up one corner at a time, let it dry, glued up the next. At 62" x 42" the Merle would have had six feet of band left.

Thanks to all y'all for the stuff you contribute--it's an education just to read.

earl