They seem to be quite similar - aside from not fitting into a t-slot. I often find myself wishing a had a few extra of the Festool clamps (or wandering around the shop to see where I used the last) and right now they are on sale for $80/6 at Woodpeckers. That makes them interesting...

Aside from not fitting the rail and (I assume) 20 mm holes, are they a reasonable substitute for the Festool clamps? Are those two limitations too big of a compromise? Can the be converted to fit?

They seem to be quite similar - aside from not fitting into a t-slot. I often find myself wishing a had a few extra of the Festool clamps (or wandering around the shop to see where I used the last) and right now they are on sale for $80/6 at Woodpeckers. That makes them interesting...

Aside from not fitting the rail and (I assume) 20 mm holes, are they a reasonable substitute for the Festool clamps? Are those two limitations too big of a compromise? Can the be converted to fit?

Hi there, do you mean the ratchet quick type clamps? I have Bessey and Axminster Tool versions, that look virtually identical to the Festool but, are red, and considerably cheaper.

Festool clamps are made by Bessey. They're exactly the same, except for the head which is modified to fit the rail.

BTW, it is not the Kliklamp line that is similar to Festool clamps, but another line. I love the kliklamps, got several and they're my favourite clamps.

The Kliklamps are a light duty clamp.  They really don't appeal to me because they still require the 2 handed operation (at least for me).  I would rather have a trigger style clamp if I'm losing the MFT and rail functionality and only require light duty clamping. 

The heavy duty Bessey clamps (similar to the Festool clamps) are their "rapid action clamps".  There are a few distinctions, they don't have the plastic covers on either clamping surface and the head on the end of the steel L is around 3/4" x 1", so it's not fitting into a rail or MFT hole.  Those are going to run about $60 ea. for an 8" clamp, so you're not saving any money over the Festool. 

@RKA raj the Bessey clamp you want is this one:

https://www.besseytools.com/en/product_details.php?ASIMOID=000000030002de6700040023&ASIMOID_SC=000000030002e90f00070023&ASIMOID_MC=000000000001f3f000030023

Basically the same as the Festool. Bessey makes them for Festool as I recall. About the same list price, but you can sometimes find them discounted or at a place that will take a coupon.

Ron

@Cheese, which profile are you using to fit the clamps? I've been working with 1 inch and 30mm so far, and I've found the clamp won't go into the 1 inch at all, with the 30mm it slides part way in, but won't go beyond the first inch or so of the slot.
TIA

@pixelated the track clamps need 15 series 80/20 in imperial and 40 series in metric

Ron

@Cheese, which profile are you using to fit the clamps? I've been working with 1 inch and 30mm so far, and I've found the clamp won't go into the 1 inch at all, with the 30mm it slides part way in, but won't go beyond the first inch or so of the slot.
TIA

They fit in the 15 series from 80/20.

FWIW my welding supply has very heavy rapid-action type clamps available for around $23. I grab a couple whenever I am there.

I assume these don't fit the Festool rails out of the box, right? If they don't, would grinding/cutting off the end to make them work?

Quote from: Richard/RMW on March 18, 2019, 10:20 AM

FWIW my welding supply has very heavy rapid-action type clamps available for around $23. I grab a couple whenever I am there.

I assume these don't fit the Festool rails out of the box, right? If they don't, would grinding/cutting off the end to make them work?

Definitely not, these are much too large. Sorry for any confusion, I wasn't suggesting they could be an option for use in slots. They're just great quality clamps for almost a third the $$.

RMW

Kliklamps are very nice klamps to have on hand.
I have 2 systainers of them, I believe that makes 32 pieces in 4 different sizes.
Even though y'all say they are light duty, they klamp very tight and can be operated by 1 hand
I love them and use them all the time, even thought about getting a 3rd systainer...

@RKA raj the Bessey clamp you want is this one:

https://www.besseytools.com/en/product_details.php?ASIMOID=000000030002de6700040023&ASIMOID_SC=000000030002e90f00070023&ASIMOID_MC=000000000001f3f000030023

Basically the same as the Festool. Bessey makes them for Festool as I recall. About the same list price, but you can sometimes find them discounted or at a place that will take a coupon.

Ron

Does anybody make a quick clamp that has a thicker capacity than the Bessey of Festool ones of just over 6 inches in clamp capacity?

I've been looking for years and have never found one. 

Quote from: Kevin D. on March 19, 2019, 11:10 AM

Quote from: rvieceli on March 18, 2019, 10:21 AM

@RKA raj the Bessey clamp you want is this one:

https://www.besseytools.com/en/product_details.php?ASIMOID=000000030002de6700040023&ASIMOID_SC=000000030002e90f00070023&ASIMOID_MC=000000000001f3f000030023

Basically the same as the Festool. Bessey makes them for Festool as I recall. About the same list price, but you can sometimes find them discounted or at a place that will take a coupon.

Ron

Does anybody make a quick clamp that has a thicker capacity than the Bessey of Festool ones of just over 6 inches in clamp capacity?

I've been looking for years and have never found one.

If you buy the long Festool screw clamps (489571), you can easily file off the nub that keep the two pieces together and then use the head from the quick clamp (491594) after doing the same filing. If you want to keep the two pieces together, just drill a hole near the nub and put in a small screw/nut.

Never thought of that potential solution.  Thanks for mentioning that.  I may just do that at some point.

I also didn't know that it was Bessey that made the Festool clamps til I read it earlier in this thread also.  That opens this possibility of what I can do to get a longer quick clamp quite possible now.