BESSEY HS-12, 12 In. Wood Hand Screw Clamp

My woodshop is full of Bessey bar clamps. Thought I'd try their wooden hand clamps. They live up to the name. They cost more but they are Solidly built and they work great. Like the other Bessey clamps I have I'm sure they will outlast me.

These are a nicely put-together piece of kit. The description of the jaw length and throat depth is 100% accurate, the jaws are 12 inches long—give or take a 64th. There's some clot below who seems to think that they should have a 12" throat depth (despite the throat depth being accurately reported in the description as 6"). As per all similarly designed handscrew clamps, you get a reach of approximately half the jaw length. The one's I received (I bought two) each have a measured throat depth of 6"—give or take 1/32 due to the combined play in the threads and nut housings.The hardwood jaws are nicely milled. They are unfinished, which is adequate for their purpose. The screws and swivel nuts are well machined and nicely finished. The swivel nuts are slightly recessed in their bore holes so there’s no possibility of them protruding outside the surface of the jaw. The handles have a finish on them but are still easy to get friction. I find the handles a little on the small side (in diameter) and I have average to slightly small hands. They’re adequate though.Here are a few more measurements in case they're useful to anyone…Jaw width: 1-7/8”Individual jaw depth: 2-1/8”Max opening between the inner surface of the jaws with the jaws parallel: 8-5/16. Note that this differs from the description, which currently says 9-1/4”. That’s a significant enough error that I believe it is likely a typo rather than just variance.Handle length: 3-3/4”Handle diameter: 1-1/8 to 1-9/32 (extreme spread between four handles. Average = ~1-3/16)Threads: 7/16 x 14 (not “17/16” as currently noted in “From the manufacturer”—really folks, get a proof reader!).If I ever need more than two I would not hesitate to purchase the same models again. In case this is of any interest… Pinnacle also make a very similar product for around the same price (so similar, in fact, that I wonder if they’re from the same factory?).

This 6" version is smaller (for basic woodworking scale), yet a classic design with OK hardware. The two threaded screws were machined well. Yet, the quality of the metal screw seems flimsy. The wood jaws were machines well and appear to be either European birch or good could be soft maple. The handles feel comfortable and the two screws move in concert with each other. The trick is to start with parallel jaws before clamping a project. From there, the old school design is clever, strong, well designed and highly adjustable clamping pressure. I've used it as a smaller vice for smaller projects. I was making a set of custom hooks for a solid walnut display frame. It held the smaller object well. Then clamp the smaller clamp to the bench, with a medium clamp. It works. Not as elegant as other solutions. But at that price point, it's a good value. I believe Bessesy could charge and extra 50 cents (US) and offer abetted metal in the screws. I recommend this product for the woodworking hobbyist.

The threads were well cut and operated smoothly. The jaws were accurately shaped with no chips or cracks. Much better than the ones I currently own. Bessey are top shelf or next best to them. It is nice to have a tool that spins so fluidly to open and close and jaws align so well.

This is a high quality clamp. The wood is hard but doesn't leave marks on your work.It's very easy to use and you can use it with another clamp in order to have pieces fixed in different ways (You clamp your piece with this one, and then clamp the wood part of this clamp with another one... I think it's confusing to describe).The clamp power is great and the overall construction is great. Highly recommended.

This is a clamp I use regularly in my shop, cheap clamps are frustrating and create issues during use. I like the Bessey line of clamps and feel that this clamp is well made, no missing wood or tear outs in the drilled areas. Screws work as intended and are smooth with good sized handles. Good investment.

Unfortunately this clamp is cheaply made. Screw threads are course, handled is short, jaws don’t match. No different from a generic except more expensive.

Great clamp, I have these in the 8 inch version also but the 12" seems to be better finished and quality. very handy if you do not have vice. it has a flat top so it can me securely clamped to a surface. If you have two you can use them to edge plane items. The screw is double threaded so it's easier to use then the traditional wood thread English pattern types. Impressed. You can even use it on a drill table and it's far less cumbersome then a metal drill clamp.

Handy little clamp, has many uses. Seems to be well constructed . Decent price.

Herramienta tradicional sumamente útil en el taller de carpintería. Sumamente recomendable.

I wondered what I would get when I ordered them and I was not disappointed. Bessey is one of the best brands. They were even reasonably priced.

Degelijk en handig, wat moet je er meer over zeggen ?

Vielseitiges Werkzeug. Gute Qualität!