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BESSEY Light Duty Tradesman's Bar Clamp - 2.5x12 In - TGJ2.512 - Woodworking Clamps with Wooden Handle, Ideal for Home Improvement & Workbench Projects, carpentry and Cabinetry, Black & Red

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 406 ratings
Regular Duty
12 in.
  • Integrated Anti-Slip System - Maximum safety with the integrated anti-slip system. A set screw molded into the sliding arm interlocks with the serration on the rail.
  • Reinforced Jaw and Sliding Arm - Corrugated malleable cast iron fixed jaw and sliding arm generate powerful, rigid clamping.
  • High Quality Profiled Rail The profiled rail has been optimized for clamps. The profile acts against torsional forces.
  • Versatile Clamping - Our Bessey Clutch Style Bar Clamp Set is perfect for all your woodworking needs, whether you're a professional carpenter or a DIY enthusiast. With Jorgensen parallel clamps and Bessey clutch clamps, you'll have the right tools for every project.
  • Comfort Handle - The series offers the tried -and -true wooden handle.
  • Patented profile rail
  • Nonslip locking device

Customer ratings by feature

Sturdiness
4.5 4.5
Easy to use
4.4 4.4
Value for money
4.3 4.3
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From the manufacturer

BESSEY History

Today, two business divisions make BESSEY unique: The positioning of BESSEY as precision steel and tool manufacturer ensures decisive quality advantages. This year, the company is celebrating its 130th anniversary.

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BESSEY Light Duty Tradesman's Bar Clamp - 2.5x12 In - TGJ2.512 - Woodworking Clamps with Wooden Handle, Ideal for Home Improvement & Workbench Projects, carpentry and Cabinetry, Black & Red

BESSEY Light Duty Tradesman's Bar Clamp - 2.5x12 In - TGJ2.512 - Woodworking Clamps with Wooden Handle, Ideal for Home Improvement & Workbench Projects, carpentry and Cabinetry, Black & Red

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Product Description

Product Description

The original BESSEY® malleable cast iron bar clamp is available in two designs. Either with the tried-and-true wooden handle, or the modern BESSEY 2K handle. The high quality 2K composite handle with comfort insert allows you to complete tasks more effectively and with less hand fatigue. BESSEY® TG Series of malleable cast bar clamps are a trusted workshop staple. Key features include ergonomic composite handles for a secure grip, high-quality profiled steel, an antislip system and a hardened, smooth-running spindle that comes standard with an ACME thread to provide more clamping with less cranking. TG series clamps are made in Germany of European steel and are held to the highest clamping quality standards.

From the Manufacturer

Ideal for sheet metal, stainless steel, light-duty work, and woodworking applications, these Bessey clamps are the choice of professionals worldwide. Tradesman bar clamps feature a unique locking device that is permanently molded into a malleable cast-iron sliding arm, eliminating slippage by interlocking with serrations on the rail. These clamps need no clutching action and have a large Acme thread for fast turning. The large-diameter pad surface comes with protective caps that will minimize dimpling of material while protecting the surface while the ergonomically designed wood handle gives you positive strong clamping.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
406 global ratings

Customers say

Customers like the value, clamping force, and ease of use of the hardware clamp vise. They mention that it's a good value, easy to use, and simple. They are also satisfied with grip, and quality. However, some customers have reported missing parts and caps.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

106 customers mention100 positive6 negative

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the hardware clamp vise. They mention that it's a good heavy duty clamp that should last a lifetime, it has a solid feeling, and it'll be functionally effective. Some say that the tradesmen clamps are of much higher quality and provide better clamping.

"Exactly what I needed . Good heavy duty clamp that should last a lifetime." Read more

"Well built and strong with a very deep set of jaws !!" Read more

"...They worked fine, did the job. But today when these Bessey clamps came - wow. I understand why these things have all the outstanding reviews...." Read more

"...giving it a five star rating because it is a very well made, large, heavy clamp with lots of clamp pressure capacity, just like the description says." Read more

15 customers mention15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the value of the hardware clamp vise. They mention that it's not cheap but is of high quality.

"Well made, sufficiently strong for its purchase, price is fine. I use these to mount board material on a work bench...." Read more

"Pricey but well-made – this is a very heavy clamp-I got it specifically for a job I was working on where I need to Deep Throat to clamp my cabinets..." Read more

"Very heavy and solid feeling clamps. They're very beefy for the money...." Read more

"...Quality is solid, these seem like a good value." Read more

12 customers mention12 positive0 negative

Customers find the hardware clamp vise easy to use. They say it's simple, strong, and works well one-handed. Some mention that the shipping was fast.

"...The handle fits my hand, they are easy for me to use, they work very well, what more to say? Thumbs up all the way to Bessey!!!!! Bill T." Read more

"...These are simple and stream-lined." Read more

"...These are very quick and easy to use. You will find yourself reaching for these clamps more than any other in the shop...." Read more

"Bessy is a well made clamp, simple and strong. I bought to to join and glue large planks for a table, worked perfectly for what I needed...." Read more

9 customers mention9 positive0 negative

Customers like the clamping force of the vise. They say it has a very high clamping power, and the teeth bite very well. Some say the clamps slide easily and hold placement as expected.

"...There is practically no slippage in the clamping action and the teeth bite very well.They are still made in Germany!..." Read more

"...It rolls. Great for thicker wood and projects. Will have to buy something with solid end for thinner boards." Read more

"...I've only used them a few times so far, but they slide easily and hold placement as expected...." Read more

"...They pull tight and firm and clean up with ease. Very happy" Read more

8 customers mention8 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the grip of the hardware clamp vise. They mention that the plastic covers ensure a good grip and avoid permeant damage. They also say that the rubberized grip is easy to grip and turn, and the clamps are made the right way stiff and sturdy.

"...I find that these provide the clamping force I need to securely hold the brackets and plates in place while I mark, drill and tap them to existing..." Read more

"...Great for carpentry/furniture building projects. Has a strong clamping power without feeling like I am going to twist the wood handle off." Read more

"...They are tough and sturdy. Handle easy to grip and turn. Quality product!!" Read more

"It has good gripping power for it's weight and size. Great for applications where it's necessary to keep weight to a minimum." Read more

9 customers mention6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the weight of the hardware clamp vise. Some mention that it's very heavy and solid feeling, while others say that it is a good medium weight clamp for general use.

"...They are a good medium weight clamp for general use...." Read more

"...The weight of them is perfect, the handles and the threads are excellent, they just work so smoothly...." Read more

"...Clamps are heavy but that is good considering the large timbers I am using them with...." Read more

"Pricey but well-made – this is a very heavy clamp-I got it specifically for a job I was working on where I need to Deep Throat to clamp my cabinets..." Read more

9 customers mention0 positive9 negative

Customers are dissatisfied with the cap of the hardware clamp vise. They mention that it's missing. Some customers also say that the clamps arrived without the red cap on the rigid end of the clamp, the red plastic/rubber cab that goes over the clamp to help, and the tip protection plastic. They also say the clamp did not come with all the red rubber pressure point pads.

"...The other clamp showed up stuck shut and missing one of the plastic protective caps...." Read more

"...But one of the clamps arrived without the protective caps and as there is no way to inform the seller other than by writing a negative review, that..." Read more

"...and tangled all over the place, and 3 of the 6 clamps were missing the red fixed jaw pad...." Read more

"...Unfortunately the one I received is missing the red plastic/rubber cab that goes over the clamp to help prevent marring the work piece...." Read more

9 customers mention0 positive9 negative

Customers are dissatisfied with the missing parts in the hardware clamp vise. They mention that the clamps are great, but they are missing non-marring pads, plastic pads, and the protective foot pad.

"...look like they have had rough treatment and often are missing the protective foot pad...." Read more

"This item has a history of missing parts and the mfg/distributor continue to sell it...." Read more

"I ordered 4 of them, all four were missing the upper, rectangular "non-marring" pads and one was missing the round lower pad...." Read more

"...ordered two of these clamps and both of them are were missing the fixed side non marring pads...." Read more

Best F-clamps; German made
5 Stars
Best F-clamps; German made
These are wonderful f claps for most jobs. I am slowing adding to my woodworking tools and these are an absolute must have. The arms are made from cast iron with the bar being made from hardened, chromed steel. There is practically no slippage in the clamping action and the teeth bite very well.They are still made in Germany! Not many tools can compare with those that are German engineered and manufactured. I found the opening a little shy of 12 inches, but you rarely want to max out a clamp anyway (see pictures). I plan to buy a few more pair of these as!
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Top reviews from the United States

Steve
5.0 out of 5 stars Good clamps. Design hasn't changed.
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2023
Style: Regular DutySize: 18 in.Verified Purchase
I've had ONE of these clamps for well over 20 years that has worked fine. But it's kind of silly to just have one since I almost always need more than one. I have other clamps, but I guess the OCD in me likes to have things balanced so I wanted to at least have a pair of these. ;-) I saw this one pop up on Amazon so I figured I'd bring home a sibling for the old clamp so it can have some company.

In many cases, the new versions of things aren't as good as the older versions. I'm happy to say though, that these don't seem to have changed much since the original. As long as the quality of metal is the same, I'd say they are the same clamp. (other than the new one being shiny and clean and the old one showing a bit of wear and tear)

They are a good medium weight clamp for general use. You aren't going to want to over-crank on them, but they can apply more force than most squeeze style clamps when you need it.

Thank you, Bessy for not cheaping out and altering your design to make them worse.
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Razor Blade
5.0 out of 5 stars Works great
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2023
Style: Heavy DutySize: 12 in.Verified Purchase
Exactly what I needed . Good heavy duty clamp that should last a lifetime.
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toolaholic1a
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice clamp
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2023
Style: Heavy DutySize: 20 in.Verified Purchase
Well built and strong with a very deep set of jaws !!
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pac
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, these are NICE
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2021
Style: Regular DutySize: 12 in.Verified Purchase
I was being impatient and went to Harbor Freight and bought two 12" F clamps there; they were very cheap, maybe $14 in total. They worked fine, did the job. But today when these Bessey clamps came - wow. I understand why these things have all the outstanding reviews. The weight of them is perfect, the handles and the threads are excellent, they just work so smoothly. I'm going to return the Harbor Freight clamps and get the next size or two bigger because these Bessey clamps are going to be the only 12" ones I need in my life. Why is everything made in Germany always so exquisite?
One person found this helpful
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Claycrete
5.0 out of 5 stars 14 pound clamp
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2012
Style: Heavy DutySize: 12 in.Verified Purchase
The clamp arrived in a box around 4 feet x 2 feet x 1.5 feet, stuffed with that thin brown paper that Amazon sorta scrunches into a snake shape, they must've used around 20 feet of the stuff!

The clamp was covered in sooty grease, to protect it from rust I'm guessing?

The leg that moves is stamped "MADE IN GERMANY", the black legs are 15 inches(38cm) front to back, the grey support bar is 1.75 inches(45mm) wide and 0.5 inches thick, the throat depth is 12.25 inches(31cm). The face of the clamp that actually touches the thing being clamped is 1.12 inches wide except for the front 4 inches(10cm) of the fixed leg, which is 1.5 inches wide. The diameter of the round face with the red plastic cover is 1.5 inches(4cm), and the rod it's attached to allows it to come in about 2.5 inches(65mm).

This is my first time using a clamp like this, and from the picture I couldn't tell how you actually get the leg to move? It turns out there are tiny teeth cut into the thickness of the support bar, with corresponding teeth on the leg so that when it's perfectly perpendicular to the support bar it stays locked in position, and to unlock it you just slightly change the leg's angle. A caution, when I held it as it's displayed in the photo (as a P), the leg was able to slant enough that it released and came flying towards my hand, and at 5 lbs it could really cause some pain/long line of expletives...
9 people found this helpful
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Clive B.
4.0 out of 5 stars Missing protective plastic pad
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2020
Style: Light DutySize: 30 in.Verified Purchase
Bessey clamps are great but there seems to be an issue with ordering them from Amazon. Some of the clamps from Amazon look like they have had rough treatment and often are missing the protective foot pad. Acquiring replacement pads is a challenge as virtually no one sells them. The US clamps have a head of 25.5mm diameter, which is covered by part number 3101393, while the foot is 19mm wide, which is covered by part number 3101392. Bessey was kind enough to send me a replacement set.
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EB
5.0 out of 5 stars Seriously, this is a big clamp
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2008
Style: Heavy DutySize: 12 in.Verified Purchase
I read the previous review and thought, "How big can this thing be? I can use this as an everyday clamp. That guy must be a wimp." When it got here, I realized he was right. You could use it for smaller stuff, but why would you? I got these to get myself out of a veneering jam where I needed to put lots of pressure in the middle of a panel. They do the trick for that.

These clamps are made very nicely. They are a definite step above the regular size tradesman clamps. The packaging is a little lacking (a cardboard envelope), but they weren't hurt, so I guess it is good enough. The picture shows a red wood handle, like other tradesman clamps, but it is delivered with a perpendicular sliding steel pin handle. It's probably a better choice for a handle with a high clamping pressure rating.

I'm giving it a five star rating because it is a very well made, large, heavy clamp with lots of clamp pressure capacity, just like the description says.
3 people found this helpful
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Colorado Kid
3.0 out of 5 stars Not the quality I've come to expect from Bessey.
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2016
Style: Heavy DutySize: 40 in.Verified Purchase
It really hurts me to write this review. Until now I have used almost exclusively, Bessey wood clamps. I needed something larger for a table I'm piecing together and I decided to go with what I know. I ordered two of these. One showed up great with no problems. The other clamp showed up stuck shut and missing one of the plastic protective caps. I tried my hardest to get it open but there was no way it was going to happen. Reluctantly, I returned it and got a replacement. The replacement showed up with the exact same missing cap. I couldn't believe it. In contact with Bessey to get this minor problem taken care of. It's either a quality control problem at Bessey or with the Amazon seller. As far as the good clamp goes, it does what it is supposed to but could be better. The clamp doesn't have the typical Bessey thumb release you find on most of their similar wood clamps. That feature would be nice. Without it, you actually run the risk of shutting this clamp all of the way and never being able to open it again. Be careful.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great clamp
Reviewed in Canada on September 17, 2023
Style: Light DutySize: 6 in.Verified Purchase
Smooth, easy, perfect, great pressure, zero knuckles opened. 👍🏼
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Jocelyn Popeye R.
5.0 out of 5 stars Parfait, Mais
Reviewed in Canada on January 15, 2022
Style: Regular DutySize: 36 in.Verified Purchase
Travaille super bien, même d'une main. Parfait pour retenir les pièces avant de les fixer.
Seul Hic! sur les 9 commandé, juste trois avais les deux pad de protection. C'est plate quand on travaille du bois mou. Il y a surement un problème de contrôle de qualité dans une étape de la chaine d'approvisionnement. Tout de même satisfait.
Customer image
Jocelyn Popeye R.
5.0 out of 5 stars Parfait, Mais
Reviewed in Canada on January 15, 2022
Travaille super bien, même d'une main. Parfait pour retenir les pièces avant de les fixer.
Seul Hic! sur les 9 commandé, juste trois avais les deux pad de protection. C'est plate quand on travaille du bois mou. Il y a surement un problème de contrôle de qualité dans une étape de la chaine d'approvisionnement. Tout de même satisfait.
Images in this review
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Tavo
3.0 out of 5 stars Calidad
Reviewed in Mexico on April 19, 2021
Style: Regular DutySize: 36 in.Verified Purchase
Buena calidad y buen producto no pongo 5 estrellas porque compre 2 piezas y una me llegó sin los protectores rojos
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eric letourneau
5.0 out of 5 stars super
Reviewed in Canada on September 17, 2020
Style: Heavy DutySize: 6 in.Verified Purchase
parfaite
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Frédéric Chabot
5.0 out of 5 stars Best clamps on the market
Reviewed in Canada on July 25, 2018
Style: Regular DutySize: 12 in.Verified Purchase
Honestly i havent ever owned better clamps! Bessey are the best! Only things is: out of ~20 clamps received about 3 of them are missing the rectangle plastic pads... still five star for me..
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