Woodcraft Parallel Clamp set sale

[chopnhack]

Got this in my inbox:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...Clamp-Set.aspx

Anybody have them? Thoughts?

[pelligrini]

That's not a bad price for the Woodriver clamps. I have a few. I probably wouldn't buy them again unless there was a really good deal on them.

I have four 12" ones and a couple 40s. The 12s get a lot more use for me. They are very much like the original Bessey K-bodies, but with plastic handles. They are made by Bessey. I'm not sure, but I heard they were farmed out and produced overseas. A few of my 12" clamps have developed a problem of not tightening. There are a couple studs that engage the bar in the clamping mechanism. Mine are getting stripped out. I've rotated them a couple times. There's not too many things more frustrating during a hurried glue up than your clamp not working. I don't know if I had a bad batch, if I'm overtightening, or what. I haven't seen the problem on my 40s, but they don't get used as often.

The setup blocks are nice to have. I have a set of the round Woodriver ones and the square Besseys. The square ones stay on my shelf better then the round ones, otherwise they do the same thing.

I prefer the new Bessey revos. I would be more apt to spend my money on them, but they are more expensive. I might be tempted with this deal if it were a little bit better.

[chopnhack]

Good to know, I'll keep the powder dry

[pelligrini]

They weren't all that bad. I have gotten a lot of use from mine. Once get around to it and find a replacement stud for my short ones they'll be good to go again. If I didn't already have some good 24" and 40" parallels I would seriously consider this deal. (I do like the wider heads and new handles on the Revos) A pair of new 40" fixed head Revos at Woodcraft is $102, this deal is 4 clamps (Two 24s and Two 40s) plus the blocks for $100.

[chopnhack]

I did see a lot of recent negative feedback on the woodcraft store website, perhaps the qc has not improved since you purchased. One person even mentioned the problem you are referring to Erik. The clearance between the part maybe too sloppy. Is the stud you are referring to replaceable? Any pic to clarify possible? Thanks

[pelligrini]

Getting a pic wouldn't be easy right now. There are two threaded studs about 5/8" long, maybe 3/16" diameter with a hex end. They're probably metric. They engage the knurling on the bar. One side of them is exposed and will push against the bar when tightened. They're not easy to access as they are in the middle of the clamping assembly.

[chopnhack]

LOL, I wonder if this is another clamp I can fix like the HF mod

[johnk]

Thanks!

[chopnhack]

Thanks!

If your buying a set, give us your feedback on the quality and clamping action! For what its worth currently at amazon the Revo Bessey's are selling for $50 more, but the long clamps are 50" which is a huge plus.