Good Starting Selection of Clamps?

[ggg71]

Can someone recommend what I should get for a set of starter clamps?

I was looking at this set of Bessey Clamps:

http://tinyurl.com/yf9s2h

Is this a reasonable deal? Should I get more pipe clamps?

Thanks in advance,

Garth

[LarryG]

Any woodworker will tell you that you can't have too many clamps. I have well over 120 and could still use a few more, of certain sizes. So what to start with is mostly a function of your needs for the first projects you'll build.

The Bessey Tradesman clamps are fine clamps but in those small sizes, the Pittsburgh brand from Harbor Freight work every bit as well, for far less money. If you have an HF store near you, wait until they put these clamps on sale and then go load up. For the same $50 that set will cost you, you'll be able to buy three, four, maybe even five times as many HF clamps.

And BTW, welcome to the forum!

[Tom Miller]

Welcome to the forum Garth!

I have the Bessey F-clamps in those sizes shown, and use them regularly. Comparing to Bessey prices I've seen elsewhere, I think the price is quite reasonable. But, like Larry said, there are cheaper alternatives out there. I don't have personal experience on how the quality might compare, though.

For pipe clamps, I happen to have Jorgensen, and there are much cheaper options for those, too.


Regards,
Tom

[LarryG]

Tom's post got me wondering if perhaps I spoke (typed) too quickly, so I did some checking. HF doesn't offer sizes that match up exactly to the Bessey set, so I'll substitute the closest sizes they do have:

3/4" pipe clamps, item 31255-8VGA, on sale now for $3.49 x 2= $6.98

6" Pittsburgh F-body clamps, usual sale price is $1.99 x 4 = $7.96

12" Pittsburgh F-body clamps, usual sale price is $2.49 x 2 = $4.98

2" Pony spring clamps are about $3 at Home Depot x 2 = $6.00

That's a grand total of just under $26, so yes, I did type too quickly: this particular Bessey set is priced more aggressively than I realized. Still, your money will go roughly twice as far at HF if you buy their clamps when they're on sale (which they frequently are).

Also, the Pittsburgh clamps have multi-plate clutches, whereas the Bessey Tradesman clamps are free-sliders. I'm guessing that most people prefer to have a clutch (I know I do) because the head will stay where you put it when you're setting up to do a glue-up.

[ggg71]

Larry,

Thank you very much for the info. I'm in MA, so there's no HF near me. I'm seriously thinking about ordering 8 pipeclamps at that price though. Seems like a great deal.

As for what I'm planning on doing... I have plans to build a coffee table, definitly some home improvement projects, possibly a platform bed at some point... I guess wherever inspiration takes me.

My Dad bought me a 3100 last year for Chirstmas, and I've used it quite a bit around the house. Built a nice workbench, replaced my basement sills, and put in a cedar closet in my bedroom. I guess that's what's given me the bug. As a computer programmer I find it's nice to work on something tangible for a change.

Cheers,

Garth

[ironhat]

Larry,

Thank you very much for the info. I'm in MA, so there's no HF near me. I'm seriously thinking about ordering 8 pipeclamps at that price though. Seems like a great deal.
<snip>
Garth

Be *absolutely* sure that you buy that exact clamp number. There is another (I won't even post the number) which uses a serrated pawl on the tail piece which doesn't hold very reliably. If you ever get the Cummins tool show in a nearby town they also have some nice bar clamp sets made of a much sturdier steel than most of the bar clamps I've seen in the 'economy' stores. I looked on Cummins and didn't see the one I picked up but they have had them at every sale that I've been to.
Later,
Chiz

[LCHIEN]

Larry,

Thank you very much for the info. I'm in MA, so there's no HF near me. I'm seriously thinking about ordering 8 pipeclamps at that price though. Seems like a great deal.

As for what I'm planning on doing... I have plans to build a coffee table, definitly some home improvement projects, possibly a platform bed at some point... I guess wherever inspiration takes me.

My Dad bought me a 3100 last year for Chirstmas, and I've used it quite a bit around the house. Built a nice workbench, replaced my basement sills, and put in a cedar closet in my bedroom. I guess that's what's given me the bug. As a computer programmer I find it's nice to work on something tangible for a change.

Cheers,

Garth

I'm not a big fan of pipeclamps
My comments on clamps are in the 9th post on this thread:
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...ht=pipe+clamps

Like Larry I have over 100 clamps of varying styles and sizes.
In very rough order of most often used:
I have about 12 quick grip 6" minis
I have about 5 quick grip regular 6" and several more in 12 and 24" sizes
I have probably 20 F-style clamps, mostly Pittsburg from HF in 12, 18 24 36 in sizes around 4 of each size
I have about 12 Bessey F-clamps in 4" size for fixtures and fence attachments
I have 4 aluminum bar clamps in 36" sizes (because the bars is stiff although the reach is small)
I have a bunch of parallel jaw clamps (bessey k-body and jorgensen cab msters) in 24, 30 and 40 inch sizes or similar 2-4 of each size
I have wooden hand screw clamps in 8, 10, and a bunch of 12" sizes. that are useful for certain things.
I've got several pipe clamps but hardly use them.

I have quite a few bessey WS-3 miter clamps for corners.
I have some quick grip styles in micro size, not that useful

A bunch more I'm sure. this is all off the top of my head.

[jackellis]

I'm still collecting but I've got about the same selection as the others - some F (Pittsburgh, Jorgensen, Bessey), some spring, a few HF aluminum bar clamps, a couple of quick-grips, and some K-body clamps (Jorgies). I have some 6, 12 and 18" very heavy duty clamps clutchless bar clamps that are from the '40s or '50s I bought cheap at an estate sale (hand-made carrying case and all).

I've bought most of the better clamps from postings on Craiglist and at garage sales. If you're patient, you end up paying about half as much. I bought four 40" K-bodies for $20 apiece, which is half the price on Amazon and probably a third the price you'd find most other places.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

For a starter set, my vote is for HF Aluminum Bar Clamps. 48" and 24" on sale, get 4 of each.


In my opinion the set your url points to would be a poor beginning set. A handful of 4, 6 and 8 inch clamps are not going to get you very far.

EDIT : Did you check out my start on the Clamp FAQ? I know I need to get it finished but it will give you an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of each type of clamp.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...ight=Clamp+FAQ

[Wood_workur]

I have 4 bessies k bodies, some spring clamps, some HF bar clamps, and a small trademan clamp. I would reccomend getting 2 of those jet clamps from rockler. Well worth the price, and they are on a pretty hefty sale at the moment.

[onedash]

of the few F clamps I have the best one seems to be a heavy duty Craftsman. Its the shortest one I own but the bar is much heavier. I bought it to hold a feather board on the router table.
It makes the others seem pretty flimsy but I rarely use them.
I use my K body and Cabinet Masters the most followed by spring and c clamps.
I would have loved to order a set or two of those Jets.....Maybe next time after the band saw has faded from her memory.I still have to get blades....

[LCHIEN]

...

In my opinion the set your url points to would be a poor beginning set. A handful of 4, 6 and 8 inch clamps are not going to get you very far.

...

OTOH, depends on your application.
For building furniture, no, you need bigger clamps.
But, for building small boxes, and jigs, or just creating temporary jigs and fixtures, locating stop blocks and attaching tools and guides to fences and tables, these are the perfect sizes.