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Thread: Bessey, Irwin or Jet clamps

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2008
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    New Hampshire
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    Bessey, Irwin or Jet clamps

    With the deals going on right now and some discounts I have I can get these three brands for about the same price. What one is the best?

  2. #2
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    Oct 2006
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    For the same money I would buy the Jet from the mfgs you listed. I like the handle. I own both Bessey and Jets.

  3. #3
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    I would go with the JETs. I have both and for the same price, the JET is superior. I particularly like that you can screw bench dogs into the back to mount them on your workbench.

    That being said, with some of the sales on Besseys, I am considering a few more. They are very good clamps and you can never have enough clamps.

    Cheers,
    Chris

  4. #4
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    Jul 2003
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    I own Jet and Stanleys...both are great clamps but both have pros and cons. The Jet has a rulered bar which is handy to preset the jaws, and they have the quick release lever....the lever is great when you have clear and easy access to it, but sometimes when the clamps and workpiece are in position the levers can be hard to get at and are cumbersome to reach. It's quicker and easier to slide the jaws on the Stanleys in those critical situations during a glue up. I replaced the cheap plastic stop at the bottom of the Stanleys with a bolt.
    31FLjEdANnL._SL500_AA280_.jpg 41J411AeonL._SL500_AA280_.jpg
    Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Heidrick View Post
    Bessey and Jets.

    Isn't that a song?

  6. #6
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    Clinton Township, MI, United States
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    I would buy by price (include shipping in cost!) first, then all else being equal, I would lean toward the jets, but they are ALL good clamps, I have some of each, and outside of pairing them up so they sit level, dont care which I grab.
    Mike
    From the workshop under the staircase, Clinton Township, MI
    Semper Audere!

  7. #7
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    Mar 2003
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    Albuquerque, NM USA
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    Only have the Besseys here. I haven't even put my hands on the Jets yet.

    Pete
    "Last year we couldn't win at home. This year we can't win on the road.
    My failure as a coach is that I can't think of any other place to play."
    - Harry Neale, Vancouver Canucks

  8. #8
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    The Jets have some great features but like the Irwins are heavy to manuever. A 24" Jet is over 15lbs according to their website (I was curious, I thought they felt heavy). I only weigh about a buck-fifty so a 6lb. k-body is easier for me to work with.
    Last edited by glenn bradley; 05-31-2008 at 4:57 PM.
    "A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".


    – Samuel Butler

  9. #9
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    Glenn,
    Are you sure about the weight? The jets are heavier, but not that heavy. Are you sure that is not the weight per pair? Lifting two besseys in one hand and a jet in the other, the besseys are heavier (2b vs 1j) but individually, one to one, the jet is heavier than the bessey. Suppose I should get a scale out, but I am lazy.
    Mike
    From the workshop under the staircase, Clinton Township, MI
    Semper Audere!

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by mike holden View Post
    Glenn,
    Are you sure about the weight? The jets are heavier, but not that heavy. Are you sure that is not the weight per pair? Lifting two besseys in one hand and a jet in the other, the besseys are heavier (2b vs 1j) but individually, one to one, the jet is heavier than the bessey. Suppose I should get a scale out, but I am lazy.
    Mike
    Yeah, that seems way-high. That's gotta be shipping weight or something. Oh, here it is . . . that's per pair and they're in a "pack". Now I feel better That seemed awfully heavy. Thanks Mike.
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    "A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".


    – Samuel Butler

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
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    DFW, Tx
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    I have JET and Bessey I vote for the JET's
    larry

  12. #12
    Gee, for the longest time, the Besseys were the cat's pajamas. Now, its Jet, who were not mentioned previously. Is Jet the same manufacturer as in Jet mini lathe?

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Barnett View Post
    Gee, for the longest time, the Besseys were the cat's pajamas. Now, its Jet, who were not mentioned previously. Is Jet the same manufacturer as in Jet mini lathe?
    YES it is. Boy I sure do hate that "message too short" that pops up just by entering "YES"

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    I think I will hold out for the new Bessey clamps. The new ones will be able to adjust the front jaw down the bar to even out the weight. Something that will be handy when you have to use your longer clamps for short clamp ups.

  15. #15
    Jet all the way!

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