I needed some more miniature clamps and these "Micro Trigger Clamps" by Bessey were a father's day gift.
They were $7 each. Not too bad.
But like most miniature clamps they flex some and again like most they feel like they'd break if squeezed too much.
With a 4 1/2" opening by 1 5/8" jaw depth and 40 lb clamping force, it’s a good size for holding workpieces against jigs and fixtures and securing stop blocks or small-scale project parts.
It has soft, removeable pads that prevent the clamp from marring surfaces and are crosshatched to ensure a strong grip.
What I don't care for is the "Release" trigger. It's in an awkward spot.
The clamps are decent but I would prefer the release in front or back like the other two shown. Functionally for the clamping force they are good.... For the release they are awkward... I rate them as "average"
Seems to me that it's one of the ways companies try to survive the continual onslaught of imported Chinese made product. .... and then they still go offshore there to have it made. Go figure!
I was just about to do a quick release post, and then Ducky did his Mega Clamp posts, and I waited. I have a varied mix, and also agree the really light ones are, well, really light. There are some winners in this category though, but like Ryan mentions, increased cost is definitely in play.
Good post, it shows the noobs looking to start collecting clamps while these look like a deal due to lower price, they sure aren't heavyweights. Taking those funds, and moving up the scale is a good move though. Plus at 40 pounds of pressure, they are not real good when it comes to actually clamping. Most TB adhesives call for around 150 pounds of pressure for a good bond. They could be helpful though if you were trying to hold 2 pieces together to screw in a pocket screw or similar. So they are what I call, kinda clamps.
I’ve got a set of those too. They’re heavier duty than my tiny brass clamps but not much. And I strongly agree, the clamp release is in the wrong spot. Then again, I do enough small boxes that I need a clamp that size that doesn’t suck. Just wish these were it.
Those are interesting brass clamps They seem pricey. Are they worth it?
I like them for some uses. They don’t have much clamping force, but making boxes with ¼” thick stock, I don’t need a ton of clamping force, and they work well for that. They’re fiddly to apply, and almost useless one-handed, though, so keep that in mind.
I have 6 inch and 12 inch ones. I wouldn’t mind getting some 3 or 4 inchers some day, because who has ENOUGH clamps?
