Episode 12- The Big Squeeze

24 Responses to “Episode 12- The Big Squeeze”

1. Travis on March 16th, 2007 10:31 am

   Excellent podcast as always. Actually, it’s a timely piece, since I just made a rough clamp rack (a series of racks, actually) and noticed that some of my nice new Jet clamps have dried glue on them! I thought that the polished bars would be resistant to the glue, but apparently that’s not so. But at least now I have a couple of solutions to try…

   I was curious, however, why you didn’t include Aluminum bar clamps? They can be found for very little $$ in some cases, and are lighter than the pipe clamps, which makes them easier to work with. The only downside is that they do flex more than the pipe clamps, so they won’t provide as much pressure. But so far, they’ve done well for me.

   Also, it seems Bessey is making their clamps for other companies. Of course Woodcraft has them now, but also Harbor Freight carries a Bessey clone (who knows if it’s actually made by Bessey- but they are exact to the Woodcraft clamps except for the color). The nice thing about those clamps is that the handle is a fluted aluminum handle, which is easy to grip. Also, with the infamous Harbor Freight sales and discount coupons, they may be available for a very reasonable cost.

2. Ray Jackson on March 16th, 2007 10:31 am

   Unfortunately episode 12 freezes after a few seconds and reverts to the beginning.

3. thewoodwhisperer on March 16th, 2007 11:11 am

   Hey Ray. Are you watching the streaming version on the site or one of the quicktime movies above the image? If you are watching the streaming version. It always helps to hit pause after it starts playing and give it a few extra seconds to buffer up. Im not positive that thats the reason for your problem, but it could be. And unfortunately, I cant seem to reproduce your problem.

4. thewoodwhisperer on March 16th, 2007 11:12 am

   Hey Travis. I left out several clamps simply because I don’t own them. I really wanted to focus on the clamps that I use on a daily basis. But of course, there is nothing wrong with a nice set of aluminum bar clamps.

5. Mike Lingenfelter on March 16th, 2007 12:31 pm

   Thanks for the tip on keeping your clamps clean. I guess that means it’s time to clean them up now :).

6. PtrainFSU on March 16th, 2007 12:53 pm

   Great Job Marc!! I love your videos, and just wanted to let you know! Keep up the good work!

7. Wilbur on March 16th, 2007 1:26 pm

   Hi Mark,

   Love your website. How deep are the 12″ deep throat clamps that you like and mention in this podcast?

   I’d also like to make a plug for my favorite clamps: Wetzler quick clamps. They are F-style clamps that are built like tanks. I have a bunch of the 4″ deep clamps, and love the way that they work. The feel of these clamps is second to none, even the best parallel clamps, and they are square enough that I think they do just as well as parallel clamps in glue ups.

   I think your pal David Marks likes these clamps as well.

8. Dan Wilt on March 17th, 2007 9:59 pm

   Great podcast as usual. The tip about waxing your clamps is a good one but you don’t want to wax the bar of the old-style Quick Grips. The clamp head will want to slip when you want it to grip. I know this from past experience :(

9. thewoodwhisperer on March 18th, 2007 9:29 am

   Hey Wilbur. That big clamps have a 6″ throat.

   Wetzler does indeed make great clamps. Well built and sturdy. I remember using them in David’s shop and they never failed us. I did find them comparable in quality to Bessey’s heavy duty line of clamps.

   Marc

10. Greg Watson on March 18th, 2007 10:10 am

    Great show as usual Marc. I am wondering if you might post a couple of shots of your hanging rack, as that is next on my list of adjustments to the shop and I am looking for inspiration.

11. thewoodwhisperer on March 18th, 2007 11:07 am

    Hey Greg. I did take some close-up shots of the rack in the video. Let me know if you need more detail than that. Good luck!

    marc

12. Rob on March 18th, 2007 8:10 pm

    When you say they can be bought on-sale for a ‘good’ price, what is a good price for the jet parallel jaw clamps? I see the current price on Amazon, but what can I expect to save through patience?

13. thewoodwhisperer on March 18th, 2007 8:22 pm

    Hey Rob. I would estimate a “good” price to be a 20-25% savings.

14. nancy on March 20th, 2007 3:19 pm

    Thanks… I am a new wood worker/// just getting my woodshop together… and clamps use and types has always been a huge question.. gonna mozey over to your store…

15. thewoodwhisperer on March 21st, 2007 7:51 am

    Jeff just alerted me to a decent sale over at Amazon.com (aka The WOod Whisperer Store). Bessey K-Bodies are reduced quite a bit.

    These Amazon sales are unpredictable so if you are looking to stock up, get your butt over there and do it before they change the price again.

16. Victor Proo on March 21st, 2007 2:03 pm

    Mark, I’m new to woodworking as I have inherited a fine woodworking workshop from my father-in-law. He was not much for teaching and so I’m having to learn how to use the equipment on my own with the manuals. So far so good. I have created a few pieces and your videos have been very helpful as well as entertaining. My father-in-law, probably, would not have appreciated your humor but my wife and I lol. Keep up the podcasting. That in and of itself is an art you and your wife, have been doing well with too. I notice you are a Macintosh aficionado. Good man! I purchased a pair of the Bessy® K clamps I saw you using with the cutting board series. Mark, thank you for sharing your woodworking acumen with guys like me out here.

17. Andrew Lin on May 9th, 2007 7:09 am

    Thanks for the great video! Very informative. I will definitely be visiting The Wood Whisperer more often.

18. Louis Pengue on June 11th, 2007 8:52 pm

    Marc,
    Just reviewed this podcast to see the detail of the wall racks for the clamp storage. I need to build some and I like ypur simplicity. What dimensions did you use for the Bessey rack? It looks like 3/4″ plywood on top and botom.

    On the other rack with the 2×2’s and poplar - are the horizontal boards 1×4’s spaced off the 2×2’s? That’s what it looks like in the video.

    I do really enjoy your videos and check for them weekly - keep up the good work.

    Thanks,
    Louis

19. thewoodwhisperer on June 11th, 2007 10:44 pm

    Hey Louis. You are right on both accounts. They smaller rack is just 1×3’s over 2×2 strips. The Bessey racks are just 3/4″ ply screwed to a 2×4. Pretty straightforward. Let me know if you need any more info.

    Marc

20. Mike Ward on August 21st, 2007 10:33 pm

    Hi, My streaming vidio also freezes; I will try the ‘pause’ technique you suggest.

    My comment on Wetzler clamps, based on an expert instructor from Marc Adam’s School of Woodwokring, Steven Procter by name. He LOVES Wetzler. Partiularly likes not only their sturdy construction, and the fact that the screw comes out parallel with the bar evrery time (not true with Bessey’s). but the fact that they have that little pad cast into the head so that you can stand up a glued up assembly on it’s head, all the tops of the clamps sitting level on the floor. Checi out the picture.
    Mike

21. Bren on November 26th, 2007 8:02 pm

    Mark:
    I am curious about the F style clamps you showed. What brand are you using? Is that the brand you would recommend to someone buying new? What is a good source for these? I did not see them in your Amazon store.

    I really enjoy your site. Excellent creativity. I really admire what you have done career wise. All this and you have only been at it for 5+ years? Amazing!

    Regards,
    Bren

22. thewoodwhisperer on November 26th, 2007 8:51 pm

    The F-style clamps I use are Rockler (blue ones) and Bessey (Red and black). I would absolutely recommend both brands.

    Thanks Bren. We would be no where if it wasn’t for the encouragement and support of our fans and friends. Thanks for watching.

23. Garrett on March 10th, 2008 11:04 am

    Mark,

    Just stumbled across your site and am really enjoying watching your videos. Just started outfitting my shop and am deciding on clamps…

    With the Irwin XP clamps being a little bit less expensive than the Jet Parallel clamps, what would your thoughts on just getting the Irwin XPs?

    Thanks!

24. thewoodwhisperer on March 10th, 2008 12:15 pm

    Hey Garrett. Although I really like the Irwin XP’s, they would not be my first choice for clamps. I would definitely get a good Jet setup first. I consider the Irwins “non-essential” clamps.

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