Shopsmith Forums

For some reason I have become enamored of those beautiful Bessey/Jorgensen parallel clamps that seem so useful. So this morning, on my way out, I stopped by Woodcraft to look at them and maybe buy a few. Of course, they're not cheap and if you need a bunch better bring your mortgage lender with you.

They had a sale on a brand called Groz ( http://www.groz-tools.com/index.cfm?md= ... ductID=183 )--a kit contained 2 24" and 2 40" , plus 4 plastic stands. The box was marked $179, but they are running a sale til Oct. 25 at $99. They are made in India, which is not known for high quality tools, and the salesman said they are not quite up to Bessey or Jorgensen standards. I was ready to pass them by, but I picked up the box and almost dropped my transmission. It was quite heavy, and kind of said "heavy duty" to me. So the salesman opened the box (since there were no singles on display) and took one out for me to play with. I was impressed, and bought the kit.

So, after the fact, does anyone know about these clamps. Did I just waste $99 plus tax, or are they a sleeper? I hope I get some positive feedback to warrant keeping them, but if the wisdom here is negative I will return them and opt for the Bessey at about 2 1/2 times the price.

Thanks

Jerome

gr8mesquite wrote:For some reason I have become enamored of those beautiful Bessey/Jorgensen parallel clamps that seem so useful. So this morning, on my way out, I stopped by Woodcraft to look at them and maybe buy a few. Of course, they're not cheap and if you need a bunch better bring your mortgage lender with you.

They had a sale on a brand called Groz ( http://www.groz-tools.com/index.cfm?md= ... ductID=183 )--a kit contained 2 24" and 2 40" , plus 4 plastic stands. The box was marked $179, but they are running a sale til Oct. 25 at $99. They are made in India, which is not known for high quality tools, and the salesman said they are not quite up to Bessey or Jorgensen standards. I was ready to pass them by, but I picked up the box and almost dropped my transmission. It was quite heavy, and kind of said "heavy duty" to me. So the salesman opened the box (since there were no singles on display) and took one out for me to play with. I was impressed, and bought the kit.

So, after the fact, does anyone know about these clamps. Did I just waste $99 plus tax, or are they a sleeper? I hope I get some positive feedback to warrant keeping them, but if the wisdom here is negative I will return them and opt for the Bessey at about 2 1/2 times the price.

Thanks

Jerome

Never heard of them but they look nice. How about trying them for a couple of projects and giving the rest of us some feedback about them? Woodcraft has a good return policy so if they are dogs, you can take them back.

Didn't Groz start in Germany or am confused again?
Bill V

wa2crk wrote:Didn't Groz start in Germany or am confused again?
Bill V

You may be right-I don't know, but on their website's "Contact Us" page the only address they list now is in Haryana, India.

Only their performance will tell if they are high quality or not.

I once bought 4 of the less expensive Bessy clamps and after a couple of uses, the poly cover over the jaws cracked from applying clamping pressure. I returned them (no sense in keeping clamps that I can't tighten) to Rockler and bought more of the more expensive red colored ones. Have had them for many years.

Groz website, see here:http://www.groz-tools.com/index.cfm?md= ... t&PageID=1

I have a few of their machinist tools (squares) and they seem well made.