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Thread: Anyone compared jorgensen to bessey I-beams

  1. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by jack duren View Post
    When I say "review" it generally means on a professional level. That's why i don't buy parallel clamps....
    Not sure I see how being a pro relates to parallel clamps? I use them because they are faster and I can stand them up when a panel is glued up. I Like that when a panel has two on it you can slide a third under sideways, something bar clamps will not allow. They are just not so damn clumsy. Less prone to damage without cauls, and I can make them work with one hand when needed. I like them, So in summary, I am a pro, and I lie Bessey K bodies. Oh, the shame!

    But I am curious about the Bessy I beams I have been doing more doors lately and I like beam clamps on doors, could use some more.
    Last edited by Larry Edgerton; 03-25-2017 at 3:53 PM.

  2. #17
    I used to do work for a living, and now that I am retired, can afford all the toys I used to have to do without. Funny how that works out. Did building projects because I enjoyed working with wood, and still enjoy doing it. Just can't hardly handle a whole kitchen project, because it wears me out till I need 2 weeks to rest up afterwards.

  3. #18
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    I bought a lot of parallel's at first, tried them and took them back. I kept 4 just for dovetails. I took them to work to try on radius tops to see if they were worth purchasing again. They worked but I could get the same results with a $13 Menards f-style clamp...This parallam is 48x96 and requires a lot of force to draw a good joint. I-beams would be perfect. The parallel clamp? Not so much.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  4. #19
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    Does anyone have a link on where to buy the Bessey I Beams? I could not find any. I bought 4 of their Parallel clamps when they first came out but did not like them. We never use them, but recently had a chance to try the new model and they work a lot better. The best bar clamp I have used is Hargrave (sp) with the big wood cranks. They come up used occasionally.

  5. #20
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    Like wine, they get better with age Joe. Did not like mine at first either but as they broke in and got less catchy, and I got used to how they work, now I would have a hard time getting along without. http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/b...bar-clamp.aspx

  6. #21
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    Learn something new every day -- I didn't know that Bessey made i-beam clamps, but I have owned and used Jorgensen's and they're good, fairly heavy duty workhorses. After many years of owning just about every different brand and style of clamp, I finally got some Bessey K-bodies and loved them for their accuracy and ease of use. But then, I was just making custom furniture for a living so my glue joints didn't need a million pounds of clamping pressure!

  7. #22
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    I didn't know they existed either.. But fewer options these days and I need to find a replacement....

    Looking around for good deals on Bosch 4x24 belt sanders too..

  8. #23
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    Joe, selectmachineryinc.com is who I get Bessey from when I need them.

  9. #24
    I have some of the I-beam clamps - the steel ones. The major problem I have with them is that the glue up gets pretty heavy. The I-beam clamps are a lot heavier than the Bessey K body clamps.

    Mike
    Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.

  10. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Henderson View Post
    I have some of the I-beam clamps - the steel ones. The major problem I have with them is that the glue up gets pretty heavy. The I-beam clamps are a lot heavier than the Bessey K body clamps.

    Mike
    You have Bessey I-Beams?

    The weight with clamps are not a problem. We have forklifts...
    IMG_0128.jpgIMG_0131.jpg

  11. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by peter gagliardi View Post
    Joe, selectmachineryinc.com is who I get Bessey from when I need them.

    Thanks, I bought my Lamello from them.
    I might try a couple of the 60" I beams. We have 48" Jorgy I beams and pipe clamps for longer. Seems like we always need a bit more than 48" and not a fan of pipe clamps either.

  12. #27
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    Jack-what are all these parallam glue-ups for? I gotta know! Some of those babies are massive.

  13. #28
    Quote Originally Posted by jack duren View Post
    You have Bessey I-Beams?
    No, all except one are Jorgensen I-beam, and the one other is Hargrave.

    Mike
    Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.

  14. #29
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    I wasnt even aware Bessey made an I beam, which caused me to panic when jorgy went under. I love the I beams from them. In the wake of their doors closing, i hounded used markets/auctions and grabbed another 20ish ibeams to go with my other 12-15 i beams. I cant say enough about the jorgy i beams. They arent a clamp for everyone, but they cannot be beat when it comes to table tops, countertops, doors, etc. Most of mine are 10-15 years old, and i expect them to last me the rest of my time as a woodworker(im 29). I have a wall of bessey revos that are great for light duty work, but the I beams are my first choice most of the time.

    Honestly, with how many jorgenson i beams ive seen on the used market, just buy them used. I bought a dozen of mine new from acme 2ish years ago when they had a 50%+ sale, but the others are from professional shops. On average i paid $15 a clamp for 36"-84" i beams. That is cheaper than the besseys new. They are so durable/over engineered that I dont see how you break them or wear them out with normal daily use. Furthermore, they would be a great clamp to supplement a JLT or similar.

  15. #30
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    There's a blurb about the new Bessey I-Beam type clamps in the latest issue of Woodshop News. They seem like nice clamps, patterned after the Pony I-Beam which is no longer available due to the company going under, with what Bessey says are a few improvements. I may try a few at some point for when I need something heavier.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

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