Bessey K body clamp "guides"

Bessey K body clamp "guides" · 02-12-2009, 01:33 PM

Called these things clamp "guides" because as usual I can not find the paper work that came with the set.

Couple of years ago I bought two K body clamp sets on sell from Amazon. They came with these black blocks with slots in them. I remember reading a little of the information. Seems as if they are used to make it easier to keep things square and hold the clamps at the same time.

I am making some frame and panel doors and decided to bring the "guides" out of the black hole. Using them seems simple enough. My question is why are there 2 slots running in each direction? Must be a reason me thinks. Not enough room to place two clamps side by side. Though I do not know why you would if you could.

Anyone able to shed any light on this?

I guess this qualifies as the dumb quesiton of the day

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bwat · 02-12-2009, 01:38 PM

So you can cross 2 clamps at 90 degrees - one over top of the other I believe.

Keye · 02-12-2009, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by bwat

So you can cross 2 clamps at 90 degrees - one over top of the other I believe.

I understand there are two clamps running in one direction and two clamps running in the other direction one set over the other. This leaves 4 empty slots. I am just wondering why the " guides" are made with what looks like extra slots.

Keye · 02-12-2009, 02:44 PM

After looking at them again I guess it could be as simple as having some flexability in spacing the clamps.

If someone does have the instructions for these things I would appreciate a PM. I would like a copy.

sapwood · 02-12-2009, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Keye

I understand there are two clamps running in one direction and two clamps running in the other direction one set over the other. This leaves 4 empty slots. I am just wondering why the " guides" are made with what looks like extra slots.

Keye,
Hope you, uh we, find the answer. I pulled mine out last week and wasn't entirely certain what was going on

Only "instructions" are the pix on the box. And the vertical slots are deeper than the horizontal slots . . . or vice versa. When putting the bar in the "shallow" slots the bar was a tiny bit higher than the blocks. Nice clamps though

Roger

adowden · 02-12-2009, 03:18 PM

Here is a little info with a pic:

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/i...OD&ProdID=2889

Amy

DaveO · 02-12-2009, 07:00 PM

I have a set of those blocks that came with a set of clamps my wife got me as a gift. I just went into the shop looking for them and couldn't find them. I guess that shows how much I have used them...actually never.
I don't see the benefit unless you are clamping mitered frames, and for that there are better ways to go about that.
For a standard frame and panel door you only need clamping pressure in one axis, against the stiles. Placing a clamp on the rails will only cause it to move (with a typical cope/stick joint) or be useless with a M&T joint.
I think them as an attempt at "value-added" that has no value. But they got my wife to buy me 4 Bessy clamps because she thought that I really needed this set-up...so I guess there is value to them

MTCW,
Dave

sapwood · 02-12-2009, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by adowden

Here is a little info with a pic:

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/i...OD&ProdID=2889

Amy

Now that was helpful

Also noticed they have discontinued the blocks

Guess that's why I got such a good price

And Dave, you got it

Clamping mitered frames appears to be the "Raison d'etre".

Roger

Keye · 02-12-2009, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by sapwood

Now that was helpful
Also noticed they have discontinued the blocks
Guess that's why I got such a good price

And Dave, you got it
Clamping mitered frames appears to be the "Raison d'etre".

Roger

Guess I now know why I threw them into the black hole

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