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

This BESSEY HS-6 hand screw clamp is a solid addition to any toolbox. The 6-inch reach provides ample clamping force for most woodworking projects, from gluing up small joints to holding larger pieces together. The I-beam design ensures a strong, even grip, and the smooth action of the screw makes adjustments easy. While a bit pricier than some competitors, the quality and durability of this clamp justify the investment. Highly recommended for any serious woodworker.

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.

Works well, no slop, seems very durable and should last for years to come.

Great price and excellent quality.

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.

The jaw pieces are rough and need finish sanding. I'm not talking fine sanding. These need something as simple as 120 or even 80 grit for improvement. The pieces also don't match. I hope that you can see in the pictures that one side is longer. What's even worse, is that the thickness is the same at the butt end, but at the top end the right jaw gradually increases in thickness by as much as 3/32 of an inch. I'm going to graphite the threads. Just by eyeballing them I can see a pattern of roughness. It's not terrible, but this is the first time I've bought a wooden screw clamp in a very long time, and these appeared to be made in Germany on the Amazon page. Just touching them clarified that mistake on my part. I'll put out the extra money for the M.I.A. Dubuque clamps if I buy any in the future. Oh well, I'm off to fine tune this below average clamp.

Well-built and versatile for a variety of situations that may not be suitable for other clamp styles.

It's easy to see why these clamps have been around since noah was a child. A strong grip the ability to accommodate odd shapes, they are easy to use plesent to handle,simply put a tried and tested classic. And they look good on the tool wall, not a major reason to buy them but as well as all the other things it's just the cherry on the top.

Esta prensa es sumamente útil tanto para sujetar piezas de madera para su pegado como para su uso como prensa en los taladros de banco para sujetar principalmente piezas pequeñas. Tiene una fuerza de presión bastante importante. Muy recomensable.

The clamps I ordered came well packed. I use them to hold objects vertically and fixate them with a normal F clamp to the workbench. It also worked great to hold a indoor-door on his long side on my floor (you need two for this) and trim it with a planer. The size of the clamp is big enough to prevent the door from tipping over. The clamp opens and closes quick and smooth. Wood looks good and oiled. Very happy, I recommend to buy the 12 inch over the 10 inch, not only because of the increased reach but also because it is more thick and hence stable. Clear purchase recommendation!

Awesome

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