Customer Reviews

Bessey KLIK-4S 4-Piece 8-Inch Ratcheting Action KliKlamp Set

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These are fantastic little clamps. I use them in almost all my glue-ups. They are not a replacement for the the clamping power of the "traditional" bessey parallel clamp, but boy they are easy to use and convenient.
For example, I use these clamps for a board glue-up on the sides of the joint to keep the boards aligned top to bottom while my k-bodies apply the joint pressure. These clamps compliment right angle jigs very well. I got 8 of them now and I am thinking about the 12". I wish they had the 12" in this 4 pack package. It seems like a good value.
Update 4/07 - I have had two of these clamps fail...they start slipping immediately after putting on pressure...they are still nice overall...but i would look for alternatives given the cost

I've been using these around the shop for about a year now. When you look to buy clamps, remember that you will need a variety of clamps for different tasks. I have parallel clamps, bar clamps, wooden hand screw clamps, spring clamps and quick action clamps.

These clamps are a type of quick action clamp. I prefer them over the Quick Grip clamps as they have more holding power and the ratchet is fun to use. When I first got them, I just played with the ratchet. I was also really surprised by how light they are. Much lighter than a Quick Grip.

If you don't have much hand strength (kids or older woodworkers), they are easier to put on the pressure than a Quick Grip (which takes a certain amount of grip strength) and you'll get more clamping pressure too. Another point, the bottom pad (the one the ratchet handle is attached to) is able to tip a little, so if you're attaching something that has an angled face (i.e. the two faces are not parallel to each other), it will still work (as long as the angle is not too steep - in this case, it'll slide off/pop out).

However, a couple of points to consider... Due to the ratcheting action, the pads are not parallel through the range of motion. That is to say, that if you have two pieces of wood that are aligned along an edge for a glue up, they will move on you as you tighten the ratchet through it's arc - not hard to deal with if you're expecting it - just remember to check the edge alignment before you walk away. Also, the ratcheting handle will need some clearance as it moves through it's arc - in tight quarters, this can be a problem. Remember that these clamps are speed clamps, not for heavy glue ups - they only give around 300# of pressure (some flex is evident) - not 600# of pressure like a Bessey Tradesmen clamp (much heavier bar). The ones I have seem to have a chrome coating that has flaked off in spots - not a problem in use, just makes them not appear as new. Another thing I don't know about is how long the teeth on the ratchet will last. This is a metal on hardened plastic action, which may eventually cause the teeth to fail (years down the road I'm assuming).

Now with all that being said, I still really like them. I much prefer them to my Quick Grip clamps. And they blow the spring clamps away (I find these type of clamps about useless). I have found that when I need to attach a jig or fixture I reach for my KliKlamps (I have 8 - 8").

These clamps are good.
- Very light weight.
- Took me few tries to getting used to it.
(1) The black ratcheting handle has to be all the way
out, away from the iron arm and
(2) the jaws have to be touching with
full contact on material before tightning.
(3) Now you pull the ratcheting handle towards the iron
arm to tighten it.

If step (1) is not fulfilled then you will not get the
full pressure after tightening. If you need less pressure
you can keep the ratcheting handle in the middle also, but
in my case I never wanted that. Since the ratcheting handle
will maintain its position when you release it, you have to
make sure before tightening that it is all the way
open before tightening. I frequently forget that,
and it takes some time getting used to it.

The release of the clamps are also great, just
one hand operation.
The maximum pressure cannot be changed, but for most of
my operation it is fine. I never planned to use these
for heavy duty operation.

Except the main clamp backbone, every thing else is non
iron. The jaws are probably light hardened aluminum, but
looks like plastic. It has a silver color.
The ratcheting handle and the release mechanism
is made of hardened plastic.
I have not used it too roughly or for a long time, to comment
on its durability, but uptil now these are holding up fine.
The finish is really nice.


This package of 4 has a very good price. I paid around $60
with shipping. In Wood craft and Lowes these are priced $20
a piece. Which adds up to $80.

These are all 8 inch long I wish they also offer the 12 inch
version at this price, or you can choose a pair of each kind.
Like two 6 inch and two 12 inch or two 8 inch.

I will recommend this product to any one at this price.
The main outstanding qualities of this product are
very light weight and ease of use.

This is a decent clamp for holding things temporarily, and as effective as the inexpensive $5 plastic ones I bought at a liquidation place. Bessey makes an all metal version of this that has amazing clamping pressure, but these aren't them. You get 4 Bessey Kliks for the same price of one of the all metal ones, and they have about 1/4 the pressure, so it comes down to you get what you pay for.

The Klik clamp is one of the most useful clamps in my shop. For most things the pressure is adequate. The speed and security of the clamp is outstanding. My recent purchase added 4 of these clamps to a group I already own. Just a well designed clamp.

I love these clamps and use them almost every day. The clamping force is perfect, for their size and the clamping action is very intuitive. I would like them a tiny bit more if there was a bit of friction on the sliding movement of the jaw. It's tough to use these one-handed.

These clamps are absolutely awesome, easy to use. very little pressure needs to be applied to use clamp, while the clamp is squeezing with up to 350 pounds. quick and easy to clamp and unclamp. Would spent the money again for another set or for some more!!!