Recommended clamp assortment

[Slik Geek]

There was discussion in the Pipe Clamps vs Bar Clamps thread
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...914#post221914
about creating a clamp FAQ. Was it created and posted? I searched for "clamp" and a few variations in the FAQ section and came up empty handed.

Tom Miller and Pappy's clamp storage photos have given me a bad case of clamp envy. (And clamp storage envy as well). I don't have enough clamps at the moment (does anyone?), so I've decided to make an investment. I'm not certain what type I'll purchase yet, and unsure where to purchase them to be most cost effective. I'm hoping that if I buy a quantity of clamps that I'll be able to find a discount price (bulk price). Plus, the quantity of clamps to buy is another question still unanswered.

I'm going to be making a drawer cabinet for my workbench soon, and my current collection of clamps likely won't support simultaneously gluing of much of that project. (Didn't get any clamps for Christmas this year! ) I presently have the following (many were gifts from LOML):

1 Jorgensen Cabinet Master 48"
3 (antique, rusty) 3/4" pipe clamps, 48" long
4 Irwin Quick Grip 36"
2 Irwin Quick Grip 24"
2 Irwin Quick Grip 18"
4 Irwin Quick Grip 12"
1 Irwin Quick Grip Mini ~12"
2 Jorgensen F style (3712) 12"
1 Jorgensen F style (3704LD) 4"
1 no-name import F style 12"
2 Craftsman 10" Cabinetmaker-style handscrew
4 Jet 10" Cabinetmaker-style handscrew (on order)
2 Pony spring clamp 9" long
2 Pony spring clamp 6" long

I use them all, but the spring clamps only rarely.

I know that there are a multitude of opinions on this topic, but I'm also sure that there is great advice out there...

[Stormbringer]

here ya go

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

[TheRic]

Jeff said he was going to finish the clamp FAQ before the new year. But he didn't say which new year.

[onedash]

My favorites are the jorgensens.....
Then K-Bodies.
I dont have any of the new Jet Clamps but those look better than both of these.

If they ever go on sale I will probably get a set.
I Wish I had a dozen of the 12" of any three of these.

When I glued my veneer to plywood I used 6 of these and a hand full of C-Clamps. I probably use C clamps second most spring clamps third and lastly F clamps.

I have one wood hand screw to hold pen blanks at the DP.

I was looking at a pretty heavy duty Craftsman quick grip type the other day and I might have to try a few of those....
I might also see if I could get a bulk discount on the Woodcraft green K bodies...

[Stormbringer]

.

OneDash,

My favorites are the jorgensens.....
Then K-Bodies.
I dont have any of the new Jet Clamps but those look better than both of these.

I have all of the above. The Jets are love at first sight. Read the reviews and you'll see how many people are parting with their Jorgys and Besseys for the Jets. They have a great clamp there.

If they ever go on sale I will probably get a set.

I was saying that for a long while too. Then Rockler had the cabinet maker set (2 x 24" and 2 x 40" and blocks and dogs) marked down from $150 to $89 and I bought two sets (over the phone even though it was in store only) Amazon ( http://www.amazon.com/Jet-70411-Para...3?ie=UTF8&s=hi) had them down to $117 for a while. Rockler has had them on sale a couple of times over the last six months. Keep your eyes and ears out.

I Wish I had a dozen of the 12" of any three of these.

Couldn't agree more. Keep yours eyes on the 12" Bessey UniKlamp. A lighterweight version of the Bessey Kbody but just as effective IMHO. The lighterweight is nice too. I picked up six three months ago when Amazon marked them down to $12 or $13. I couldn't get myself to pull the trigger on the 12" KBody for $23 on sale. Put them in you Amazon Cart and just check daily for price drops. That's what I did.

I was looking at a pretty heavy duty Craftsman quick grip type the other day and I might have to try a few of those.

Excellent clamp. Just wait until they go 50% off to $9.99 and grab a bunch. Very durable, nice large pads, reversible, trigger release....

Regards,
Greg

[Pappy]

Minimum 8 each of every type and size!

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Jeff said he was going to finish the clamp FAQ before the new year. But he didn't say which new year.

Nice one!

I will really, really try to get it finished with all the suggested clamp types.

I hope after I get that done we can get some responses in the official FAQ thread that will talk about each persons ideal set of clamps, starter clamps etec.

Edit :
1) I think that the Craftsman quick clamps mentioned by others are currently on sale for 50% off per the bargin alerts thread.

2) I still stand behind my recommendation on the aluminum bar clamps in the Pipe Clamp v. Bar Clamp discussion you mention. They have killer bang for the buck IMHO.

3) I pretty much exclusively use Bessey Parallel Jaw Clamps (K-Body) for all my projects. I do use an occasional F clamp here and there on jigs and what not. Heck I even ordered 8 of the Jet Screw Clamps from Rockler the other day. But day in and day out it's my Bessey collection I fall back on. 24's are where it's at in my opinion. A couple of the 2440 kits go a long way (2 - 24s and 2 - 40s plus set up blocks per kit). In 2006 I bought 2440 and 2450 kits from Amazon for less than $70 each. I believe the Jet Parallel Jaw is the best of the bunch right now, but would not let anything other than price determine whether I purchase Bessey K-Body, Jorg Cabninetmaster, Jet , Woodcraft, heck even HFs new parallel jaw clamp.