Bessey KLI3.008 8-Inch Ratcheting KliKlamp

by Bessey

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Magnesium jaw, glass-fiber reinforced, polymid lever and world-famous Bessey steel rail - a new generation in clamping! The KliKlamp's ratchet action resists vibration - the perfect clamp around power tools. It also features quick clamping and quick release...on virtually any shape! Perfect for any pressure - from "light as a feather" touch, to the grip of an eagle's talon...always the right pressure - up to 330 lbs!

Product Description

The KliKlamp is durable, as well as speedy. Ratchet action controls clamping with an ergonomically shaped clamping arm made from fiberglass-reinforced polyamide. Fixed and sliding arms made from magnesium are extremely light and strong. Fixed arm with V-groves holds round, pointed or angular shaped workpieces firmly. Complete with plastic cap to protect workpiece. This 8" clamp has a throat depth of 3" and a clamping force of 260 lbs. Made in Germany.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.2 x 6.8 x 1 inches ; 10.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00008K2TD
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: KLI3.008
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,812 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #79 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Hand Tools > Clamps > Bar & Pipe Clamps

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Compact, & Convenient Medium Power Clamp, November 7, 2003

By 

David Wright (Greenville, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bessey KLI3.008 8-Inch Ratcheting KliKlamp (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have lots of pairs of clamps. Quick-Grips, bar clamps, pipe clamps, spring clamps, and so on. Different versions of some from different manufacturers. They all have their perfect uses but limitations. The Quick-Grips are good one handed but you have to really work to get good clamping force and workpieces tend to squirm beneath the large puffy pads. Bar clamps apply strong force and have less tendency to make the workpiece squirm, but take 2 hands to set and sometimes dent the workpiece. Pipe clamps with pads are massively strong and stiff but are awkward to install and have very shallow jaws. All of these options are heavy and large for their opening dimension.

Enter the Bessey KliKlamp. I recently picked up a couple of the 8" ones and have given them a good workout in the shop. The KliKlamps are exceptionally light and compact for their capacity. Let's compare them to a close competitor, the 6" Quick-Grip:

Quick-Grip: 6" capacity, 14"x9"x1.5", 2 1/4" jaw depth (to center of pad - the real world test), 24 oz., 250 pound clamping force, 3x mechanical advantage driving clamp, $20.

KliKlamp: 8" capacity, 11"x5"x1", 3" jaw depth (to center of pad), 11 oz., 330 pound clamping force, 18x mechanical advantage driving clamp, $20.

The KliKlamp has set a new standard. It offers more capacity, less size and weight for easy jobsite carry, greater jaw depth, higher clamping force, and better mechanical advantage to make getting the clamping force easier. All for the same price. I haven't had the KliKlamps long enough to say how their magnesium jaws hold up compared to the Quick-Grip plastic jaws. The bar pin sheared on one of my four Quick-Grips after extensive shop use.

The KliKlamp can be set one-handed, but not as easily as the Quick-Grip. That difference will keep my Quick-Grips around, but I'll be using the KliKlamp for most tasks. The KliKlamps will for sure be my travel clamps on account of their size and weight. Note that KliKlamps, and Quick-Grips, are "convenience" shop clamps. They get heavy use holding workpieces, stops, and in light duty glue clamping situations. You still typically have to reach for bar and pipe clamps when gluing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent clamps, July 21, 2008

By 

L. F. Smith (E. Wenatchee, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bessey KLI3.008 8-Inch Ratcheting KliKlamp (Tools & Home Improvement)

The Bessey KliKlamp is an excellent clamp. It offers a great combination of deep throat capacity, high clamping strength, compact size, and light weight. I haven't had them long enough to know how well they'll wear, but they seem to have the same high quality that all Bessey clamps have.

It's important to realize that, like any other piece of equipment, these clamps have limitations, and you have to live within those limits. In the case of clamps, that's why there are so many types and sizes; good results depend on selecting the right clamp for the particular job at hand.

The KliKlamp falls into the category of quick, one-handed, convenience clamps. They are NOT heavy-duty production clamps. I've found them incredibly handy for quickly securing a workpiece to a bench, holding small pieces for gluing, etc. They really stand out for clamping down cutting guides for circular saws and routers. Their low profile prevents them from interfering with the tool as you go along the guide.

I think the KliKlamp is well worth the money. They're certainly not cheap, but the do several jobs better than anything else I have. I'm happy with the value, and I'd buy them again if I had it to do over.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great little multi purpose clamp, August 17, 2004

By 

P. L. Palmer (San Elijo Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

After hearing and reading about these clamps I began to look around for a pair to try out. When I first picked one up I grew skeptical because of their lightweight. It turns out this first impression was unfounded. These clamps really speed up basic clamping time. For clamping down a straight edge or holding two cabinets together during installation, you just can't beat these clamps. You can't draw together difficult joints, mind you, but they excel at one handed clamping tasks while your other hand is holding your afternoons work together. Their light weight and relatively small size make them easily stowable in shop apron or tool belt. The speed is not only in the clamp up action but in the ease of release, as well. A single finger and thumb will easily release the lever. I am sold on them.