Hi,
I was all set to buy a few Bessey Clamps from LeeValley until I went to Amazon.com and found a great deal on Jet parallel clamps. (jet Parallel clamp kit for $129.00 US. comes with 2 24″ clamps and 2 40″ clamps. Unfortunately, they don’t ship to Canada.
The reviews on the Jet parallel clamps said they have a deeper throat than the bessey clamps. Plus they have a quick release lever and are glue resistant. Plus they are a bit less expensive than the Bessey clamps.
Shame I don’t know anyone in the States. Why can’t Jet and Powermatic ship to Canada… 🙁
How does Jet stack up to the expensive Bessey Parallel clamps??? Anyone here have experience with the Jet brand of clamps?
Wanda
Replies
After of years of using the Bessey's I am converting to the Jet clamps, as I love them. The latest WOOD & FWW Magazine gave them their top rating. Rockler usually has the 4 clamp set on sale for $100 but I do not know if they ship to Canada.
Their has been much discussion on Knots about the Jet clamps. Start with the link below.
http://forums.taunton.com/n/main.asp?qu=jet+clamps&webtag=fw-knots&ctx=search&cl=724992&af=10000&o=relevance&be=0
Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .
Wanda200
I have some of each, bessey and jet, as well as some experience using Jorgenson.
I bought my first jet for the pins that allow using it in bench dog holes, as I do a fair amount of cabriole legs and carving.
At this point, jets are my choice. They grab right off when tightening, something that was difficult with the jorgensons, which is why I dont own any jorgensons (grin).
The handle, quick release, the ruler etched on the bar are icing on the cake.
But its a close, close race. I would not turn any of the three down. The pricing is darn near equal in the real world, so the little things make a difference. So I buy jets.
Would not make a big deal about throat depth though, and all are glue resistant (when yellow/white glue is dry it peels right off)
Buy whichever, knowing that all will work fine - its the project that counts, after all.
I am in the Detroit area. Are you anywhere near Windsor? or Sarnia? Work takes me over the border often, might be able to work something out. (possibly Toronto, but not often, once or twice a year)
Mike
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the offer but I am east of Toronto. Way out of your way unfortunately.
Now I know Rockler sells jet I must find out if they ship to Canada but by the time I pay customs/brokerage fees and the exchange rate on the dollar plus tax I will be up to around $220 Canadian. ($129 US dollar converted into Canadian funds then add on .14% provincial sales tax then customs and other hidden fees.. ) Well it might be worth it.
Wanda
Wanda,
Anywhere near Sherbrooke? I have a summer cottage in St. Hermingilde, not far from Coaticook.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Mike,
I have six of the Besseys. You mentioned getting the glue off. I use Titebond III. The stuff does not peel off of the metal rods and it causes the lower (moveable) jaw to get stuck. What is the best way of getting that glue off?
THanks,
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
9619,
Your experience is much different than mine, I just put a fingernail under it and pop the glue drip off.
I use titebond 1, liquid hide glue, and hot hide glue - all just pop off when dry.
Mike
Mike,
Maybe I will switch to Titebond I. Also, I will wax my Besseys (the metal part). The Titebond III really sticks, and it is hard to pry off with a knife or a screwdriver.
Thanks,
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel,
Don't let anyone see you waxxing your Besseys! Waxxing your Jets is Ok as it improves mileage when traveling to the end of mobius phlanks.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 7/25/2007 12:52 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
Bob,
I am thinking of recording a song to the tune of an old Beach Boys song, Surfin Safari.
Let me know what you think of this.
MelIt will go:Waxing up my Besseys,
Gonna clamp real soon.Lets go clampin now
Everybodys learning how
Come on a clampari with meCome on baby, wait and see
Yes Im gonna take you clampin with me
Come on baby, wait and see
Yes Im gonna take you clampin with meLets go surfin now
Everybodys learning how
Come on a safari with meAt Boston and Malibu
Theyre clampin some chairs
At Huntington Beach, they're clampin their wares
Were going on a clampari with Norm this year
So if you're coming, get ready to goCome on baby, wait and see
Yes, Im gonna take you clampin with me
Come on baby, wait and see
Yes Im gonna take you clampin with meMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel,
I really think you're on to something. Now if you can get Lataxe to sing some falsetto backup vocals, I'll play the drums with my autographed Dennis Wilson drumsticks.
Maybe get Ray to play the flute! Hmmmmmmm
They could call us the Bench Bumbs!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 7/25/2007 1:17 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
Bob,
I can almost hear the Axe man (rather like Tiny Tim) singing "tiptoe through the toolshed".
No flute for me; the only instrument I play is my nose--I can pick it, or blow it.
My Uncle used to fiddle with his whiskers...
Ray
Hi,
For some reason I've been having a problem accessing the forum. The problem seems to be resolved now. Thank God!.
Rockler is selling the Jet parallel clamp Kit for $159.00 (US funds) Amazon is selling the same kit for only $129.00 (US funds). Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't ship "tools" to Canada. There are no Jet distributors here in Canada. So my only option would be to order directly from Rockler. Wondering If I should wait till the price comes down a wee bit.
From what I've read there is no ? that Jet clamps are the best. I think I'll hold out and see if the price comes down. Then I will place my order. They charge an $11.99 (US funds) handling fee. And then I would be charged a shipping fee. The exchange rate on the US dollar right now isn't too bad. But I worry about the hidden fees.
I would love to get my hands on those Jet clamps. I really do need a set of parallel clamps. Been waiting years. LOL The only clamps I own are Quick Grip by Irwin and a few 6" and 8" C clamps plus 1 jorgenson 12" F clamp.
Any Jet distributors in the State of Maine? I have a cousin who sometimes drives over the border to Maine. Perhaps she could pick me up a set next time she travels to the US.
Wanda
Mel,
The Ballad of Jet Clamp Kit
Well, let me tell the story 'bout a clamp named Jet,
Such a good deal, they never slip a bit.
Why just the other day, I let some glue get dry,
And peeled it right off 'em, easy as pie!
Graduated, they are, and slick,
Like snot on a doorknob.
Then forestgirl says, "You can take it from me
Those Jets are the best, just try one and see."
Paddy joins in, "To that you will agree,
Or I'll eat me hat, but YMMV"
Product endorsements, unsolicited,
No connection to the company.
Now ol' Mel called up Rockler, and ordered a Jet kit.
Tossed all his Besseys, that he didn't like a bit.
Now he is so happy, like a hog in slop;
With all those new clamps, hangin' in his shop.
New clamps, inspired a song,
(That's a writer's cramp, to Lataxe).
Cheers,
Ray
Edited 7/26/2007 10:30 pm ET by joinerswork
;>)
Hey, Mel,
Just post your clamp to the Knots Cafe, and it will be excoriated and picked at until there is no residue of glue. Doesn't matter whether there are liberal amounts of glue on it, either.
Regarding the thread, I have a bunch of Besseys, and recently bought a half-dozen Jet 50" clamps. The Jets are nice, and were I to need more clamps, I'd probably go with Jet. I believe both are quality products.
Ask not what you can do for your clamp, ask what your clamp can do for you.
Wanda,
My experience with parallel jaw clamps is with Bessey, Gross-Stabil, and most recently Jet. There are things that I like and dislike about Bessey and things that I like and dislike about Gross-Stabil. When I got the Jets, they seemed to take the best features of both the Bessey and Gross-Stabil plus, added a few of their own. I really like the size of the Jet handle and the comfort when tightening. I also like the quick release handle. At first I thought, why would anyone put length markings on a clamp bar but, after using them - what a great idea! I think Jet really hit a home run with these clamps.
Steve
I really like the Jet clamps. The one caveat: They are much heavier than the Bessey's. But I love the various features, and the fact that I can hang them on my clamp rack and the jaws stay put.
In defense of those who stick with the Bessey clamps, though, it may depend on what you get used to. Lee and I traded sets of clamps recently, because he just couldn't get used to the Jets and I had a set of Bessey's I was less than thrilled with. To each their own, right?
FG
I recently had the chance to use besseys and jets side by side. The jets are heavier because the bar is thicker and has deeper striations. The jets also have a quick release lever and have the ability to be placed into dog holes for benchtop clamping and jig use. Besseys are good; Jets are better. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
Yep, I've used 'em side-by-side too. The other thing I like about the Jets is the adjustable foot at the end of the bar. When clamping something quite smaller than the capacity of the clamp, you can slide that foot up and the bar is supported even though it might be sticking out off your clamping table (read: table saw) a long ways.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
The ability for the clamps to use the dog holes in your benchtop is great. For gluing up table tops, I can set up a virtual clamping station.
I also agree with the previous poster, the handles fit well in your hand and you can really crank them down. Keep an eye out at Rockler, they sometimes sell them for buy 2 get 2 free ($100 for 4).
Josh
All I can add is that I bought two of the sets that Rockler is selling at $99 and couldn't be happier with them. Actually Ican't imagine any clamps that would be better than the Jets. If you or anyone else is in the market for this style of clamps that Rockler deal is fantastic.
You might want to get the latest copy of WOOD Magazine. They have a review of parallel jaw clamps and there is a lot of good info in the article. They tested for force and there was quite a variation among the eight manufacurers tested. The degree of parallelism was also tested.
The article also discusses other types of clamps also. All in all, the article should help in making a decision.
Wanda, play any angle you can to get the Jets-Rockler is on sale till the end of July, I think-even with the delays and duty etc.
I have all of the big clamps.
Bessey -good clamps.
Wood craft -bad but workable clamps for the price.
Jorgies- very good clamps.
JET- super clamps.
Jet has redefined the clamp to be easier to use and has provided the little things that add functionality while maintaing superior fit and finish in their quality control. Paddy
BTW, FG, those 6 Jet 50" that Rockler agreed to finally showed up as limited to 4 and wayyyyy back ordered(talk about your oversold) . Do ya remember if there was a quantity limit when that deal was in the stores? pfh
Hiya, Paddy. The only deal I really was aware of was the 4-clamp boxed set (2 24" and 2 longer ones, 40" maybe?) with the "cross-doc framing blocks" and dog-hole pegs included. Don't remember off-hand any limit on those. This was back in Aug or Sept 2006, IIRC.
Taunton reported an average price of $160 on these awhile back, but Amazon's selling them right now for $99.99 with free shipping, a killer deal. Not sure when Rockler might have the same deal again. I see it as a "bring 'em into the fold" deal that gets people familiar with the Jets, and then if they like them, they'll buy the longer ones later on.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 7/25/2007 11:02 pm by forestgirl
J, before I went an got lost in TN, for 3 months*, I had talked to the Rockler folks as they had a "store only" sale on the 50" Jets that I could not get near by 300+ miles in either NY or TN and on the phone they agreed to my order at the sale price for 6 . They reneged at shipping time when I called due to the long back order cycle to a limit of 4. BUMMER. I was just asking if you remembered if there was a limit at the store for the sale on the 50's
I subsequently bought the 24/40/dogs kit at @135 and recently two more kits at $99 each. These are GREAT clamps and I will stock up as the prices allow-I still have my Jorgies. Thanks, Paddy
*May, June, July.
Edited 7/25/2007 11:52 pm ET by PADDYDAHAT
Hey, PaddyDaHat,
Back in March, Rockler (Seattle, WA) had a couple of pallets full of the 50" Jets at 2 for $50. I purchased three (3) pairs. I don't recall there being a limit, other than SWMBO was with me, and I didn't think I could convince her that I needed more, as I had Besseys all lined up in the shop.
Bob
You can never have too many clamps, but you can have not enough tools
Edited 7/26/2007 7:15 pm ET by BobMc
Sounds "actionable" to me, Paddy (a new word I learned, listening to the news today. ROFL!!! Perhaps write a letter to the Attorney General -- oh, he's got other things on his plate these days.)
Those guys sounds more than a little shifty to me -- if they took your order, they should stand behind it. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I'll get flamed for this, but the only thing holding me back on the Jets is the fact they are made in China. I'm getting so tired of paying top dollar for things made in China when competitors (Bessey, Jorgie, Gross-Stabil) are made in the US or Europe. With the low pay, low quality, questionable dealings in Chinese goods of late I have a hard time paying anything close to comparable prices to US/Euro goods. Just my 2 cents.
Shame since the Jets seem to be a step up from the competition.
Are they made in China, or in Taiwan? The box for mine went to Lee's place a couple weeks ago, so I don't know, but most of the better tools, if made in Asia, are made in Taiwan. There is a difference.
While it's obvious that we need to be cautious when buying goods made in China (I, personally, try to avoid any food products made there; or personal care ingredients), the boat has sailed on manufacturing, and there's no turning it back. The thing is to buy only the quality items that are being made there, and turn your back on the junk, no matter how much they might appear to "save" dollars.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
According to the Wood article they are Chinese made. More and more stuff is now being moved from Taiwan to China, and while I have a Chinese made Shop Fox jointer that I'm very satisfied with, the price was also more competitive. But I had to think hard about that purchase since the Grizz 0586 is still made in Taiwan. I passed on a Hitachi combo router because it was Chinese made and the same price as the competition's products made in Japan or the US.
Some will chalk this up as some kind of xenophobia, but that isn't the case. I work with a couple Chinese guys and the stories of corruption and incidents like what we are seeing play out in the news lately are commonplace.
Your choice to avoid food is good, albeit hard. A lot of organic produce is actually being sourced from China. Given their track record on all things regulatory and environmental I'm not gonna take that chance. Not to mention it is absurd that we are shipping perishables halfway around the globe. By all means don't use any herbal supplments from China. I used to work in a lab and the Fairfax County Dept of Health submitted a sample for testing, initially for lead, and subsequently for mercury. It was ~13% lead, ~35% mercury. Turns out it was an herbal infant "nutritional supplement". They couldn't figure out where the kid was being exposed until they took a look at the supplement grandma had been getting at the Asian market. Needless to say the kid is screwed for life.
Now China is resisting testing of kid's products for lead. They want to put a warning label on it instead and say we are too stringent. Like my daughters (pre-school age) are gonna read that and say "hmm..I suppose I shouldn't put this in my mouth".
Yep, the effort to avoid food/medicinal goods from China is extremely difficult. I think that as consumers, we're fortunate that the recent mishaps coming in a big cluster was fortunate. If the same incidents had been spread out over a year's period, the reaction wouldn't have been as strong. Unfortunately, getting things changed still is extremely difficult.
I buy as much local produce as I can, and avoid things like cherries in February, because I know for sure they don't come from the US. Herbal supplements are more difficult, for sure! Being the old person I am ;-) I take things like fish oil, glucosamine but not too much in the way of all the other things that are hyped for your health.
I'm not so sure about the statement that much organic produce is sourced from China. I have a friend who's in the tea business, and she's quite familiar with the process it takes to get a tea certified as organic. I can't see the Chinese going through that and getting the cert from the US. Where did you see this info?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Cascadian Farms organic makes frozen veggies, and they are not cheap. Look right on the package (though you often have to look very hard) and it says product of China. We stopped buying those on the spot when my wife saw that. With all of the produce coming from China I wonder about it being organic and who is confirming that and ensuring that it is all organic. Again, given the stories from my friend Ning I question the veracity of that.
I probably wouldn't buy them either. Not just because of the problems that have come to light recently, but also because I think we need to support our own agriculture industry. Can't think of any reason I should buy produce or other ag products from out of the country.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
What makes my blood boil is that after that poison they sent to the US they turned down several shiploads of perfectly good US products using the excuse that it wasn't fit for consumption. With that attitude, I won't but any of their machinery either.
j, as Bobmc recalls(thanks Bob) there was no limit and IIRC I actually ordered 8. I don't think that they are shifty, just too dollar focused and in an owner controlled shop(a one man band -actually a lady these days-that is the authority over all, that will only be as good as the owner is smart.
The customer service folks are very pleasant, try to be helpful but have no depth or authority. It is obvious that they are minimum wage + with trainning to generate orders.You must go up at least one level to get someone interactive and several levels for technical. I repeat that these are all very nice people but it appears there is a structure of the strong man merchant attitude.
I had one of "their " items that was unusable due to poor fit work by their sub-contractor, I spoke to a 3rd or 4th level up and was offered X$ if I wanted to fit it myself or ship it back for a replacement. I elected to do it myself, he looked up the order to execute the credit and saw that was an on sale purchase so he said he had to cut the rebate 30% . I was still unusable and I still had to fix it 100%, why did I have to share their pain? I should have just sent it back for a credit at their expense, no sale. Hartville suffers in a similar manner but Highland, LN and as you well know LV would have never let that happen to a very good customer. I have turned to only sharp shooting good sale items. All the best, Paddy
Edited 7/26/2007 9:45 pm ET by PADDYDAHAT
I looked for those on Amazon and could not find them. Would you have a link? Thanks,
Peter
edit: please disregard...I found them.
Edited 7/29/2007 9:45 am by PeterDurand
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