Bessey PG4.012 12-Inch Powergrip Clamp

by Bessey

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

For use on both wood and metal. Quick 'One Hand' action without sacrificing clamping pressure. Plastic pressure caps feature non-marring, non-slip pads that protect the work, can easily be removed for use on metal. Unique composite bushing for quick, one-handed release. Single-hand clamping lever makes one-handed clamping from either the jaw side or the rail side of your work easy.

Product Description

A breakthrough in hand clamping technology, a 1 handed clamp with up to 1000 lb. of clamping pressure. The innovative 2 way hand lever gives you the flexibility to operate the clamping action from either the rail side or the handle side of your work. Bright drawn, spring tempered steel rail, minimizes flexing and bending, won't ever rust and prevents black marks on wood. Quick release button for rapid movement of sliding arm. Glass fiber reinforced polymer housing and hand lever, tough enough for industrial use. Plastic pressure, nonmarring, nonslip, glue resistant pads protect your work, easily removed for use on metal. Wood handle, 4'' depth, 200 lb. pressure with lever and 1000 lb. of pressure with handle.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 27 x 6 x 1 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000224BD
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: PG4.012
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,519 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Tool!, October 31, 2002

By 

Carter B. Provo (Burlingame, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bessey PG4.012 12-Inch Powergrip Clamp (Tools & Home Improvement)

After reading some of the other reviews, I realized how clueless some people are in using tools. This clamp is a very specialized tool which does one thing better than any other clamp I've seen. It is meant for those occassions where you are holding something to be clamped in one hand and therefore only have your other hand to operate the clamp. The beauty of this clamp is that you use the squeeze lever to cinch the clamp securely to the items being clamped and then use the traditional screw mechanism to really tighten whatever it is your clamping. Contrary to another review, the lever is only meant to get the clamp tight enough to then use the screw mechanism where you get the full power of a traditional clamp. And yes, you do have to leave a few threads on the screw mechanism when you clamp anything so you can back the screw away from the clamped objects and then quick release. The first time you don't do that you'll see the problem you've created for yourself.
In summary, this is an exceptionally good specialized tool for one hand clamping jobs for use by "thinking" people

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Quite as Advertised, But It Is Useful, January 7, 2001

By 

Al the Pal "Al the Pal" (The Fruited Plain, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bessey PG4.012 12-Inch Powergrip Clamp (Tools & Home Improvement)

I received one of these for Christmas and have used it some over the past two weeks. I quickly discovered, as did toolpig, that the clamp is difficult to release if you do not leave about 1/4" or more of thread showing on the handscrew before "pumping" it on tight. The combination of pumping it tight and then adding a half turn of screw makes it virtually immovable. The "one hand release" is something I haven't figured out yet. You MUST loosen the screw before you can release the thumb button to slide the body on the bar. It is a good clamp with great clamping pressure, but for the price, I expected much smoother operation. If you can live with the shortcomings outlined here and need more clamping pressure than "Quickgrip" clamps provide, get it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Steroids will kill you eventually, December 29, 2000

By 

Toolpig "toolpig" (Troy , KS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bessey PG4.012 12-Inch Powergrip Clamp (Tools & Home Improvement)

I wrote in an earlier review that I would be buying more of these as I could afford them. Well I haven't and I won't be. Forty bucks for a clamp is not all that bad but I'm not as happy with them as I once was. One of my clamps completely stopped working. We all have to put up with lemons from time to time. I understand that. I find these clamps annoying. None of my guys will even use them anymore. It is so easy to get yourself in a bind where they won't release for anything. You have to plan ahead when you clamp with these bad boys. You have to leave yourself plenty of play in the threads to be able to back the screw off before you tighten with the one handed lever. Sound complicated ? It beats destroying your work to get the blasted thing off ! I like the regular tradesman clamps better for many reasons.