Bessey K3.531 K-Body 31-Inch Parallel Jaw Bar Clamp

by Bessey

$59.47
41% off
buy from amazon.com
Average Rating: * * * * *
Sales Rank:21531 (lower is better)
Price as of:11/21/2008 11:07:15 PM MST
Shipping:Free Shipping on most orders over $25*
Availability:
Label:Bessey
UPC:091162006535
Binding:Tools & Hardware
Published By:Bessey
ASIN:B0000224BA
Category:Home Improvement

Bessey K3.531 K-Body 31-Inch Parallel Jaw Bar Clamp Features

  • 31-inch max opening k-body clamp ideal for frameless construction, cabinets, and more
  • Ideal for gluing applications; evenly distributed clamping pressure and sliding-arm braking system
  • All-steel design; jaws encased in non-marring glue resistant material
  • Includes ergonomic wood handle
  • 38.8 by 1.5 by 5.2 inches; 6.1 pounds

Editorial Reviews and Product Descriptions

Product Description

The K-body is designed to remain parallel when pressure is applied. K-body are fitted with a swivel foot pad that is removable allowing a woodworker to reverse the lower K-body jaw for use as a spreader. It also functions as a leveling foot to keep the K-body rail parallel to the work surface..

Customer Reviews

Bessey 40" K-Body clamps - Reviewed on 2008-10-09
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I am not new to Bessey K-Body clamps. I have over 2 dozens but as the saying goes, "you could never have too many clamps". I love the Bessey K-Body clamps. The 40" clamps I most recently purchased were used for building a table top. I love the even pressure created by these clamps. I do have 1 pair of the other manufactured parallel clamps but I truly enjoy the Bessey parallel clamps. I guess that's why I only have 1 pair.
DON'T BUY ANYTHING LESS THAN THESE - Reviewed on 2008-07-05
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1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
unless you wish to give the others away and buy these later.

nuf said.
over-hyped, now made of imported material - Reviewed on 2008-06-12
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2 customers found this review not to be helpful.
Success seems to have sunk Bessey's rising star. Their clamps are now made of "imported material" (a creative way of avoiding having to write "Made in China"?) and assembled in the US, but even the most skillful surgeon can't save a man with faulty organs. Case in point--the plastic clamps that keep the sliding head from slipping off the bar are flimsy plastic, and mine already are breaking. Jorgensen, on the other hand, is more intelligently designed, using a cotter pin to hold the plastic stop in place. Jorgensen also has wider and longer clamping surfaces.

If you must have designer names, no one will talk you out of buying Bessey. On the other hand, if you want the best product for your dollar, look at Gross Stabil (made in Germany) or Jorgensen (made in the US).

great, but Cabinetmasters are better, in my opinion - Reviewed on 2008-05-08
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1 customer found this review not to be helpful.

I bought this kit, and a few days later took advantage of a sale at another retailer offering free shipping and reduced prices for the Jorgensen Cabinetmaster line. First, the wimpy plastic piece at the end of the Bessey clamps is easily broken, in fact one arrived broken. Amazon's packing for shipping has definitely gone downhill over the past year or two. To Bessey's credit, I called them and they immediately overnighted four replacement tail pieces so I would have spares, at no charge. They told me at Bessey that they get a lot of calls from people who buy their clamps from Amazon because they aren't packed well, and the tiny plastic clips are frequently broken.
Anyway, when I went to glue up two frame and panel doors I had made, I found myself trying the Bessey's first, then trying the Jorgensen's, and ended up using the Jorgensens. They have larger clamping surface in both height and width(in fact they make the Bessey's look small when put side-by-side ), making setup of the door easier, for me at least, and I immediately saw that the serrated edges running the length of the bars of the Bessey's marked up my pre-painted center panels on contact (panels were pre-painted in order to avoid having an exposed panel edge if the panel contracted). On the other hand, the Jorgensen bars are smooth at the edges, and do not mar the surfaces they come in contact with; they did not mark up my panels. Fortunately I was able to sand the marks out and finish the glue-up.
The CabinetMasters have a much more substantial removeable tail piece; it actually attaches with a spring pin, and will not come off unless you want it to, and is a completely different design and appears built to last and not break.
The CabinetMasters are heavier, but I actually like that, they have a more stable feel during the setup process before tightening everything down.
Bottom line, the Bessey's are good clamps, but for value and design I like the CabinetMaster's by Jorgensen.
Excellent - Reviewed on 2008-04-23
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My experience with this order was great! Amazon shipped just as expected. The clamp set arrived in ready to use condition.

These clamps perform just as advertised. The wide base helps reduce marring of wood. Glue does not stick to the body. They are very powerful.
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