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LIttleBlackDuck
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Bessey Variable Jaw for Body Clamp Quick Action Revo
Boys and Girls,
If you don’t own any Bessey parallel clamps you may leave, however, if you want to regret your possession, read on.
I have been a fan of Bessey clamps and I’ll try not to mention that they were the only ones available at the time.
When making boxes/cabinets/drawers we (most) tend to use a combination of short and long pairs. Oftyen it’s nnot because of supply, but rather the inconvenience of balancing a long clamp over the short dimension. And often if we don’t have the shorties, we buy some as using the big ones just pisses us off.
These little jems, though unfortunately at a cost, but fortunately less than a new clamp, will let you convert a long clamp into a manageable one over “short spans”.
Originally posted at LJ on Oct 25, 2020 and re-posted here for anyone that is thinking of building/upgrading their clamping empire.
PS. Just a word of warning. Besseys are well built and removing the original jaw was no "walk in the park"... a link to the blog at the bottom of the post explains the issue I faced.
PS. Just a word of warning. Besseys are well built and removing the original jaw was no "walk in the park"... a link to the blog at the bottom of the post explains the issue I faced.
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Bessey Upgrade... cause I can!
Bessey - Revo KREV (Rating: 5)
Boys and Girls,
If you happen to be a Bessey clamp tragic or pay homage to the quality gods, this may be of interest and just skip to the next paragraph, otherwise you can save me time by not wasting the review and force me to translate into "Philistineese"… and may I bid you French Moses.
I had the pleasure of spending a few+ shekels in buying and eventually reviewing Bessey K-Body Revo Vario Clamps... If you read the review, you may be under the apprehension that I love them and if you haven't read the review, I'm telling you I love them.
Now I don't baulk at parting with my shekels when it comes to quality tools… compromise for quality is not in my vocabulary.
In the past, I only purchased 4 of these Varios
Boys and Girls,
If you happen to be a Bessey clamp tragic or pay homage to the quality gods, this may be of interest and just skip to the next paragraph, otherwise you can save me time by not wasting the review and force me to translate into "Philistineese"… and may I bid you French Moses.
I had the pleasure of spending a few+ shekels in buying and eventually reviewing Bessey K-Body Revo Vario Clamps... If you read the review, you may be under the apprehension that I love them and if you haven't read the review, I'm telling you I love them.
Now I don't baulk at parting with my shekels when it comes to quality tools… compromise for quality is not in my vocabulary.
In the past, I only purchased 4 of these Varios
and when I had the opportunity to put them to use, I found that the other Bessey clamps I had,
with the fixed heads
were sadly lacking in comparison… they were still good but the desire for more Varios kept dogging my glue up process. Like a true little battler, I persevered and after the project, vowed to forgo some casks of vino to save up for more Vario clamps…
After the not so prolonged drought, sacrificing drinking a lot of vino, dramatically shortened the overall potential cost accumulation duration. Armed with an abundance of shekels, I hit my favourite clamp suppliers only to be floored by the lack of stock. I found 2 suppliers… both with a single clamp in stock… hell, who buys a single clamp… or even an un-even number… DOH!...
Damn, I should have, one from each and I'd have at least two extra ones… I surrendered to the notion of paying the double shipping costs (from 2 separate suppliers) and while surfing for their WEB site, I came across the Bessey 95mm Quick Action Vario Revo Clamp Jaw KRE-VO which was about 1/3 the price of the full clamp… don't freak out, that link is $Aust… and Yankees complain about costs.
It was not as much the cost as availability, determined to arm myself with more Vario clamps, I bit the bullet and decided to get some and finished up buying 4… the devil in me prompted buying 5, if only to bugger up some future unfortunate purchaser when only 1 would be left, but complacency took the better of me. While I had no assurance of compatibility due to lack of documentation, I was hoping that the "head" of some of my existing clamps could be converted… I considered it a worth the gamble.
"Where is the bloody review?", you may ask… "Following!", I answer…
The jaws arrived today
After the not so prolonged drought, sacrificing drinking a lot of vino, dramatically shortened the overall potential cost accumulation duration. Armed with an abundance of shekels, I hit my favourite clamp suppliers only to be floored by the lack of stock. I found 2 suppliers… both with a single clamp in stock… hell, who buys a single clamp… or even an un-even number… DOH!...
Damn, I should have, one from each and I'd have at least two extra ones… I surrendered to the notion of paying the double shipping costs (from 2 separate suppliers) and while surfing for their WEB site, I came across the Bessey 95mm Quick Action Vario Revo Clamp Jaw KRE-VO which was about 1/3 the price of the full clamp… don't freak out, that link is $Aust… and Yankees complain about costs.
It was not as much the cost as availability, determined to arm myself with more Vario clamps, I bit the bullet and decided to get some and finished up buying 4… the devil in me prompted buying 5, if only to bugger up some future unfortunate purchaser when only 1 would be left, but complacency took the better of me. While I had no assurance of compatibility due to lack of documentation, I was hoping that the "head" of some of my existing clamps could be converted… I considered it a worth the gamble.
"Where is the bloody review?", you may ask… "Following!", I answer…
The jaws arrived today
and I was straight off to the workshop. Hesitant to cut off the original heads (drilling out 4 rivets - 2 each side),
all I had to do was detach the handle, flip and rotate it 180° (no, that's not 360°) and thread it on from the other end… I can then slip on the new "Vario" jaw from that same end… just get the order right… and I suddenly had 2 new Vario clamp,
with 2 more conversions to follow.
So far the "down side" is that the original heads still sit on the other lazy end,
and will be removed scientifically (rivets drilled) or brutally (angle grinder) if they prove inconvenient.
Did a quick trial run with the new configuration,
Did a quick trial run with the new configuration,
I was so impressed, I immediately came up to write this review. Having used the Vario before I didn't have to evaluate any further (read my review) and thought that any further delay could deprive other LJ'ers out there from early upgrades.
If you have enough clamps (you are a liar) then this is a reasonable way to upgrade existing Bessey clamps at 1/3 the price.
Gallery photo #3 was an unpaid false advertisement for use of these jaws (its a short clamp)… one of the major benefits of the Vario design is to centralise the weight which would not be of concern with shorter clamps… I have reserved the upgrade to 1m+ clamps.
Having sacrificed vino consumption to pay for the clamps, now that the jaws have arrived I can resume my regular vino intake.
Late addition…
I couldn't sleep, knowing the original fixed jaws were hitching a free ride at the expense of my muscles… Decided to extricate them on this blog!
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
12 Comments
You are 100% on the bummer of long clamps on short jobs. Sure you can notch some 2x wood to make intermediate supports, but that means cutting up valuable 2x4s that I've been hoarding.
I've been looking for replacement handle ends since my screws are buggered from over tightening, but you bring up a feature I have used in the past.
The second? generation has the hole at the end for the clip-on support which helps, but is still at the wrong end.
I'll slide the handle end off the bar and then slide on (backwards) a handle from another clamp, followed by the original end, making a two clamping jaw clamp much like the setup you created.
I'm too squemish to pop my rivets so i'll work in a pinch.
I've been looking for replacement handle ends since my screws are buggered from over tightening, but you bring up a feature I have used in the past.
The second? generation has the hole at the end for the clip-on support which helps, but is still at the wrong end.
I'll slide the handle end off the bar and then slide on (backwards) a handle from another clamp, followed by the original end, making a two clamping jaw clamp much like the setup you created.
I'm too squemish to pop my rivets so i'll work in a pinch.
Nice write up buddy.
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
There are always workaround Splinter... I must admit I'm a creature of convenience and after all these years of struggling, am prepared to unpocket my shekels..
I was complacent/content with my "original" Bessys, however, once I experienced the vario... that to me is like having to struggle opening a good bottle of vino rather than pushing the squeeze knob on my casks.
I was complacent/content with my "original" Bessys, however, once I experienced the vario... that to me is like having to struggle opening a good bottle of vino rather than pushing the squeeze knob on my casks.
That Murphy guy/guyesse is an absolute sadist... always manages to turn up during a glue up to wreak havoc and always manage to rob me of 90% of dry time.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Good job on the reviews and ideas...but I have Jet clamps....they run 50% of day after thanksgiving ( late November to you) it is tradition to buy some!!!
Mike
Can't negative the Jets... If I remember correctly, they have a quick release which would appeal to me and I also believe they are a few shekels less than the Bessey's.
Unfortunately finding replacement dentures for a lame duck are easier to find here in Aussieland than the Jet.
Do they have the serrations on the side/wraparound like the Bessey?
Unfortunately finding replacement dentures for a lame duck are easier to find here in Aussieland than the Jet.
Do they have the serrations on the side/wraparound like the Bessey?
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
The Jets just have the flat along the edge serrated versus the edge and chamfers that Bessy uses.
That said, I do like the Jets. They are clunky compared to Bessys, but have some nice extras.
Locking lever to keep the movable jaw from sliding when using vertically.
Threaded holes in the heads for mounting to a table or other uses.
The supplied stands slide along the bar and have a thumb screw to lock into position, also their base has a threaded hole for securing to a surface.
The handles are large and hexagonal for a much better grip and more leverage.
Higher clamping force IMO.
Basically some things Bessys could use, but they'd need to add them without adding the Jet's clunkyness.
That said, I do like the Jets. They are clunky compared to Bessys, but have some nice extras.
Locking lever to keep the movable jaw from sliding when using vertically.
Threaded holes in the heads for mounting to a table or other uses.
The supplied stands slide along the bar and have a thumb screw to lock into position, also their base has a threaded hole for securing to a surface.
The handles are large and hexagonal for a much better grip and more leverage.
Higher clamping force IMO.
Basically some things Bessys could use, but they'd need to add them without adding the Jet's clunkyness.
Just my thought without scientific tests...
Cannot understand the phobia of more leverage... Unless you're trying to straighten out a bend, white knuckle force may rob the join of glue and when released any major out of shape would only spring back.
Now I can appreciate white knuckle force when using pocket holes to prevent lateral sliipage.
Cannot understand the phobia of more leverage... Unless you're trying to straighten out a bend, white knuckle force may rob the join of glue and when released any major out of shape would only spring back.
Now I can appreciate white knuckle force when using pocket holes to prevent lateral sliipage.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
My problem came (comes?) from trying to force tenons into mortices. I had basically a ladder structure with two rails and maybe 10 rungs, tenons on each rung end.
Apply glue, only to find out that it had begun to set by the time I began installing all the rungs. Just like fighting glue open time on a large , box jointed box.
Used those clamps to smash it all together.
Apply glue, only to find out that it had begun to set by the time I began installing all the rungs. Just like fighting glue open time on a large , box jointed box.
Used those clamps to smash it all together.
SplinterGroup
commented 4 minutes ago
new
My problem came (comes?) from trying to force tenons into mortices. I had basically a ladder structure with two rails and maybe 10 rungs, tenons on each rung end.
Unfortunately that's what happens when one tries to fit a 3" tenon into a 2" mortice... that's why I use metric.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Point taken Splinter... guilty as charged.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
I have 4 of the 6'. If that doesn't work. I can buy black pipe 3/4" x 10', for cheap, and HF sells clamp heads that fit, and work, so I can roll my own 10' clamps as needed. I generally try to travel the path of least resistance.
But good write up....
But good write up....
Never been a fan of black pipe... I have a fair selection, however, the only ones I use are my long throated Jets.
Pipe clamps (at least the ones I have access to) still have a fixed tail which make balancing more difficult unless you have the correct length.
At my age, I never sacrifice convenience for cost... I might as well spend it, than let my kids piss it up against the wall when I go... let them worry about disposing of my tools... on my demise, you'll be able to pick up some bargains if you're prepared to visit their garage sale..
Pipe clamps (at least the ones I have access to) still have a fixed tail which make balancing more difficult unless you have the correct length.
At my age, I never sacrifice convenience for cost... I might as well spend it, than let my kids piss it up against the wall when I go... let them worry about disposing of my tools... on my demise, you'll be able to pick up some bargains if you're prepared to visit their garage sale..
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
