Peachtree "Parallel Pro" Clamps

[TheChief]

Peachtree USA has a deal going on some parallel clamps that seems like pretty good deals... these look very similar to the Bessey K-Body clamps.

http://www.ptreeusa.com/edirect_012309.htm

[sweensdv]

They may look similar to a Bessey but do they perform like one? Anyone have any experience with these clamps? If they're any good, this is a super deal.

[fishdude123]

I ordered some of the 15" so I'll let you know in a couple weeks.

[TheChief]

I waffled for a little while but broke down and ordered the 39" clamps. Guess there might be a couple of reviews shortly.

[TheChief]

The four 39" clamps arrived today despite the snow. I'm not sure how to review a clamp, but I do have some first observations.

They look very much like the original Bessey K-Body clamps but with plastic handles with rubber inserts. The handles flip 90 degrees. One clamp is missing the end cap for the handle. Between the pull-and-flip mechanism and jaw screw there's a little play when free. Most goes away under pressure.

The bars are very heavy, thick and solid. They won't be flexing. Machining on the retaining clip/hanging hole is a shade rough on two of the clamps.

The jaws have removable rubber pads. Some online reviewers have noted these leaving an oily residue on wood. I haven't clamped anything long enough to tell but they feel dry to me.

The business ends are well assembled steel frames. On one clamp the frame is not completely parallel - one end or side was squeezed too hard during assembly. This is minor and doesn't affect clamp travel. Fully extended, the metal head behind the sliding jaw is solid but shows some tool marks that have been smoothed over. On three clamps the head moves smoothly over the bar with only expected indexing. The clutch of the other clamp is touchy - a little pull and the head moves like the others but pull a little more and the head won't move at all.

I have one solid piece of wood I could "test clamp". Hand tight with straight handle was pretty tight. It was a struggle to move the clamp but it could be done. Flipping the handle allowed another turn and a half, at which point that clamp (and the wood between it) wasn't going anywhere. Couldn't budge it. Flipping the handle out again made loosening easy and I didn't notice any marring on the wood.

The bulk of the clamps I have now are HF F-clamps that flex like nobody's business, but when found on sale do the trick and haven't failed me yet. Recently I picked up some 18" and 24" Bessey Duoklamps (24" @ Lowes for $20 each, 18" for $17 each) and have enjoyed those, but they're not long enough for everything.

I consider these Peachtrees the first "decent" set of clamps I've bought, and at $80 shipped for four of 'em I think they're going to do a bang up job.

[Uncle Hook]

All sold out.

[codaman33]

i have similar models from woodline. They are okay, but I won't buy them again. I would rather buy the Jet or Bessey clamps. The plastic cracked on me, but I don't know if it is because something fell on them or not. I think the way the crack is is because of slightly overtightening, not sure. They also stick a little in places. Like I say, they are okay, but I won't buy that still again.

[herb fellows]

I just got mine. They also come with a big red warning tag on the invoice, telling you not to put 'too much pressure' when you put the screw handle at 90 degrees. It will void the warranty.

If it's common sense, like dont jump up and down on the handle, that's one thing.

Apparently, 'too much pressure' is defined by whatever point it breaks at. Kind of a catch 22. Whatever pressure you used to break it, that was where it's defined as too much!

I also had one clamp out of 4 that was a bit tough to move. As stated though, these things are heavy duty, certainly won't flex.