Quality, durable C-clamps, bar clamps

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Alright,Where do you all buy, and what brand do you buy, when it comes to clamps?I've bought a couple 6" and 8" C-clamps recently, and they're all crap.They have cast/ductile iron bodies, and they rack as soon as you apply any kind of pressure to them.  Tired of wasting money on crap that doesn't work.Does anybody make their own clamps?  I've been thinking I might just have to buy some low alloy bar/flat stock, and make my own.  I can salvage the threaded rods from my crappy clamps, as these seem to be OK.Or does anybody have any tips for straightening bent clamps and then reinforcing them.  I'm thinking the ones I have that are cast iron, won't take having stiffening bars welded onto them very well.  Maybe straighten and braze some gussets to them?Thanks,DaveBenson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Bessey speed clamps... I didn't know there was any other "good" clamp out there.  I use a few "Columbia" s for my imports.  I have a few cheapos as well...but they are strong...I got them from a local Agri Supply Store.    I have seen Tractor Supply selling Bessey type knockoffs made in China.  I don't know how they work or hold up, but I never regret paying the extra money for a good "german" made clamp.Last edited by lugweld; 03-03-2009 at 09:09 AM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Well I recently bought some Harbor Freight c-clamps and welding  grips. The c-clamps elcheappos are holding up better than that set of welding  locking c-clamps which fail to clamp down and lock properly. Hey I was on a job and ran out of my precious Vice Grip Welding C-Clamps and Harbor Freight was just down the road. $23 for a set of five. As soon as I tried clamping down it seems they not fully lock onto the metal and when I put the grounding clamp onto them the c-clamp would come off.   They do work fine on sheet metal.Guess I need to fix mythree broken vise grip c- clamps by doing a Duanne fix on themCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldBessey speed clamps...
Reply:Bessey...  I like their pipe clamps.Stronghand clamps are good too.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:i personally would love some bessey clamps but i just cant afford to spend that kind of jack on them although they are supposed to be a one time life long investment.      i have strong hands which aint cheap either and are excellent clamps the bar type slide well and hold TIGHT.  I have put these clamps through all sorts of stange abuse around the farm being used for things that you just shouldnt use clamps for  but hey you do what ya gotta dowww.burdettenetworks.com
Reply:Another vote for Bessy sliding clamps.  They're faster and easier to use than c-clamps, and stronger than most.  I've also used Wiltons version of these clamps.  Bessys are worth the couple dollars extra that they cost over the Wiltons.
Reply:Bessey clamps hands down.  Prices for smaller sliding clamps are pretty reasonable on Amazon.com.  Anybody recommend anyone else for buying Bessey clamps online?Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Newly made, Bessey, or StronghandOld from days gone by, Armstrong is top of my list followed closely by Hargrave.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Wilton brand, bought at Graingers.  Probably other sources.  Even can get repair parts from Wilton.  Had a couple of the "C" clips wear out that hold the pad on the end of the screw.  Called Wilton, they sent me some free.  Great heavy duty clamps.  USA made.
Reply:One more vote for Bessey clamps, really versatile, really tough.The only thing I buy C-Clamps for is to cut in half for half clamps, those usually end up trashed after about a year.I would love to make my half clamps from Besseys but I would have to break one first and I haven't managed to do that yet.Yup
Reply:I found out the name of those decent old fashioned cheapo clamps: Olympia.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33Bessey...  I like their pipe clamps.Stronghand clamps are good too.
Reply:Bessey sliding clamps are my favorite. Menards sells a bar clamp for around $40.00 that is a great clamp. Not sure right now who makes it or where it's made, but they have orange ends I think. Made very well.only thing worse than an ugly woman is an ugly weld
Reply:here it is. Attached Imagesonly thing worse than an ugly woman is an ugly weld
Reply:Originally Posted by El_Lloydeohere it is.
Reply:Originally Posted by BurnitI would love to make my half clamps from Besseys but I would have to break one first and I haven't managed to do that yet.
Reply:Bessy and wilton are the best "new" clamps.  I have some porta vice clamps that arent as good as the bessys.  I have several older Cleveland machinist clamps that are over $400 each now a days that are not replaceable and very useful in the right situation.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:I am no professional but I love my Kant-Twist clamps.  http://www.wttool.com/category-exec/...Purpose_ClampsThe picutre doesn't show it but they have a copper coating on the screw and jaws to keep splatter off of them.Last edited by Berniep; 03-04-2009 at 07:47 AM.Reason: added infoHobart Handler 180HTP Invertig 201Longevity LP40D pilot arcGeneric O/A rigLots of hammers
Reply:I have a couple of Bessey clamps. They're pretty good, especially compared to most of the rubbish of Chinese origin. But, if you want the very best clamps it has to be Carver though you certainly pay for them! I'm not sure if they're available that side of the pond...Lincoln CV400-ILorch T220
Reply:Those are nice, but are limited when using a C-clamp for compressive duties, you just don't have enough "travel" to draw things together.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:HELLO TO ALL,i have bought C clamps from MSC.  they often have a saleon them. 6 clamps for about $106.00.  4in, 6in, and 8in,2 of each, and these are a leading brand.good luck to all.wlbrown
Reply:Archie,I was just rereading your post...certainly you are not comparing Bessey with the Chinese?  Or are you saying they are Chinese?  Here,in the US, they are German made...indestructable. And, you certainly do "pay for them".  They are not cheap at all.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:No definitely not! The Bessey ones are indeed German made. The ones I have are very good but IMO not as good as the Carver ones. Both are far better than any Chinese ones and both cost more. Over here a standard duty Bessey is probably about £30 whereas a standard duty Carver is probably £80. I don't own any Carver ones but have used them quite extensively at Uni and they're pretty awesome! Lincoln CV400-ILorch T220
Reply:I like wilton and bessey.Like anything, you get what you pay for.Originally Posted by lugweldArchie,I was just rereading your post...certainly you are not comparing Bessey with the Chinese?  Or are you saying they are Chinese?  Here,in the US, they are German made...indestructable. And, you certainly do "pay for them".  They are not cheap at all.
Reply:These are the clamps i use.  Slide bar clamp is rated to 1000kg and c clamp is rated to 600kg.  think they are German(EHOMA)...not sure.  Steel, not cast Attached Images
Reply:I wish I owned some really nice clamps like y'all have been talking about.  I usually buy the cheap ones.  I had to balance out having a lot of clamps vs. a few really nice ones.  LOTS of clamps won outI'll bet there isn't a person on this board that didn't at some time run out of clamps, and wished there were more in the bucketI do intend to go out and get one of the sliding clamps like the Bessies though.  It's murder holding a part, and trying to screw the C clamp down at the same time if it's a vertical setup."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Samm,my favorite is the sliding bar "vice-grip"...One handed operation..Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I do also own cheapies.  Not that cheap, just not as good as the ones i posted.  They are Record brand made in England.  Need lots of clamps.
Reply:Clamps are like socks...........You never have enoughMy worst habit is just dropping the clamp in the dirt the minute I take it off, or tossing it into the pile with the others.I'M A TOOL NAZI"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Had a heavy job fall off the bench and landed straight on my 2 week old EHOMA clamp.  Bent only slightly but still not happy
Reply:This'll make ya sickAnd they're callin' for rain tonightAlso note the vintage Quaker State STEEL oil cans.  I can still get them from the fuel oil guy here.  It's old 20w 20 detergent oil.  Reccomended for my 30 year old swather.  He buys stuff at auction, and has around 4 pallets of the stuff.  Smart guy, he knows there's geezers like me who'll beat a path to his door for it Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Yer got time to take pics of them!   Now go pick em up and put em away before the rain starts.
Reply:I picked up a pair of these at Canadian Tire a while back. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by LarryOYer got time to take pics of them!   Now go pick em up and put em away before the rain starts.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammGuilty as chargedBTW- raining as we speakThe triple chrome moly dolly lolly plating will save my bacon thoughJust a matter of breakin' 'em looose tomorrow.  Squeak, squeak, squeak
Reply:Like most of the people here, Bessey clamps would be the best choice. I have a Bessey BGPKIT and it works fantastic.Midwest Metal ProductsMetal Wire Forming Fan Guards Delta-Larm
Reply:Those Bessey's are nice!I went over to the local hardware store the other day, you know how it is, go there to buy some bolts, washers and nuts, and walk out with an arm full of stuff you wasn't going to buy but decided you needed! Anyway!I was standing there, looking over the bessey's, checking them out, testing the smooth action and admiring the fit and finish, and looking at the prices of $35.00 and up, then I put it back and reached over and grabbed a few of the store brand clamps that where next to them that where 1/4 the price and then went to checkout! #1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:Ken,One bessey = 4 cheap clamps.   Seriously,  one bessey at a time is how I got all 5 or 6 of mine.   One can out hold  2 cheapies.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldKen,One bessey = 4 cheap clamps.   Seriously,  one bessey at a time is how I got all 5 or 6 of mine.   One can out hold  2 cheapies.