Clamps

[chevyman_de]

They are very expensive. I didn't find a website with pricing. The big ones and the bar clamps cost several hundred $ each, the small ones will start in the high two-digit range. But every now and then a few used clamps in good condition can be found on ebay. That's how I started my collection, I've never bought one new.

[crawler]

Anyone have any experience with Gross Stabil? They're German made.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gross-Stabil-Hea...d=p3286.c0.m14

[chevyman_de]

Gross-Stabil is part of the Bessey group.
So yes, they're ok.

[CarbedNotch]

I saw these aluminum corner jigs and I know their not clamps but I four of want them!

[crawler]

Gross-Stabil is part of the Bessey group.
So yes, they're ok.

Steffen,

Thanks for the reply. Would you say the Gross-Stabil are as good as Bessey?

Thanks,
Charles

[WyoRoy]

Not in line with Bessey's Heavy Duty models, at least not for the clamp you linked to. That Gross-Stabil clamp has a nominal clamping pressure of 2800 while an 18"...sorry, no 20"...Bessey Heavy Duty model is rated at 4880 lbs. Gross-Stabil may indeed have a heavier duty model available that would go head to head with Bessey, but I would imagine they would also be priced similarly.

[Justin00Stang]

I've got a couple sets of these in various lengths

http://www.amazon.com/Vise-Grip-VIS1...342298&sr=8-13

keep in mind its overall length and not throat depth

works good for setting stuff up on my table

i have the ones with little pivoting feet, not the rounded points like the picture above

[chevyman_de]

Gross-Stabil is now 100% Bessey, same product, same label. When you go to http://www.gross-stabil-tool.de, a Bessey website opens. They do no longer make any clamps with the Gross-Stabil logo.
Bessey has a very large range of clamps, which makes comparing them to other makes a little bit difficult, because there is no "the Bessey clamp".
Their catalog has about 95 pages of clamps.

The biggest advantage of the carver clamps (in my opinion) is the fact that it takes almost no effort to tighten them down. You can reach their clamping force with one hand, no need for additional wrenches or extensions to turn the spindle.
The spindle is covered, well protected against weld spatter. And, just in case, you can get spare parts for them...

[Sonora Iron]

The Bessey and Wilton type clamps are great for what they do. But they don’t have the umf that these do.
When splicing beams and the flanges don’t match you’ll destroy a Bessey trying to force the flanges together. We have gang boxes full of these!

[Portable Welder]

CevyMan, I have one of those clamps which which is a strong clamp but clumsey to use. I saw the price of my 24"er and about fell over.

I have found Bessy clamps to be the most versitil

Sanora showed us what are called beam clamps which are slow to use but by far the strongest.

The clamps I use the most are the bessy and 11R by vise grip.

I currently do not have any beam clamps.