Bessey KliKlamp CAUTION

[wolften]

..well..stuff me mushrooms, absolutely nearly everything is made in the big C.
Why I even think they have made another Earth v1.1 somewhere.

[fletty]

So Fletty is down $174 and $192, ouch
Fletty did you contact Bessey Aus or Bessey overseas?

Hi Nick,
I emailed Bessey Germany with the pictures and told them that...

• I liked their clamps,
• that there was a design issue and/or a need for UV stabilised plastic and...
• if they would post me a few new triggers I would happily fit them myself

The reply was that they don't sell spare parts!

There have been a lot of replies on this forum and I think we can safely say that there a lot of Bessey clamps still on the shelf because there is no point paying a premium price for substandard products?

fletty

[Sawdust Maker]

Fletty

Is it worth contacting the Aus importer with the same info
suggesting you expected them to last longer then they did (how old are they anyway?)
and pointing out your statutory rights

and see what happens

[rat52]

i have had the carbetec version with metal triggers for several yrs with no problems.
i also have 4 of the bessy clamps that have the reversable switch so they push. the switches all failed/cracked within 6 months. i have now super glued the switches which seems to be holding but I don't put much pressure on them now. based on this experience I won't be buying any more expensive bessy clamps.

[sleepy1963]

[QUOTE=fletty;1623496]Here is the villian of the piece photographed against 5mm graph paper. The cleverness of the design EXCLUDING THIS PIECE is that the components simply click together ... no fasteners at all!

Attachment 258087

The picture shows the impact of (presumably) UV light AND how predictable it is that there would be failures at the narrow neck. The design would allow that section to be thickened and with a greater radius to reduce the stress concentration. I think the spring 'tail' might make it difficult to machine from metal although aluminiun could be a possibility?
These could be cut out of aluminium plate which would be much stronger than any casting and could be sourced from a shipyard or anywhere that uses thick aluminium plate. It could be cut out using a bandsaw and a file. Small pieces of aluminium the size of the handle get thrown out as scrap so it shouldnt be to expensive scap price was only $3 at its peak. Marine grade aluminium is quite strong as well and easily cut on a bandsaw or with a jigsaw, power saw etc maybe just use some lube kero or something to stop the blade picking up.

[Xanthorrhoeas]

I only have two of these with my Gifkins and have had them where the light can get to them. I'll hide them away now. They feel rather too springy for my like, but having lost my set of clamps in the 2011 flood I had considered buying more. I won't do that now. I had quite a few Bessey standard clamps too but they did not seem to survive the flood mud as well as many others so perhaps the brand is over-rated. My old Dawn clams cleaned up well!

[fletty]

Evanism has started another thread (https://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=184352) about using 3D printing to make machine specific dust collection components. This mind blowing technology seems well suited to also solving my KliKlamp trigger problem. For any of you with the same problem or not buying Bessey Kliklamps because of this problem, keep watching this space for progress.
The easy answer would still be for Bessey to send a handful of triggers BUT, as that isn't going to happen, we are planning on making an improved trigger to be available to all,
fletty

[I_wanna_Shed]

Evanism has started another thread (https://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=184352) about using 3D printing to make machine specific dust collection components. This mind blowing technology seems well suited to also solving my KliKlamp trigger problem. For any of you with the same problem or not buying Bessey Kliklamps because of this problem, keep watching this space for progress.
The easy is answer would still be for Bessey to send a handful of triggers BUT, as that isn't going to happen, we are planning on making an improved trigger to be available to all,
fletty

Good on ya Fletty - this will be very interesting to watch.

Although, it's a sign of how many companies do not see new rising competition. 3D printing is perhaps the biggest breakthrough in manufacturing in many, many years. Companies really need to acknowledge this competition. Fletty may have come across an enterprise here - all because Bessy couldn't be bothered sending out some bits of plastic worth less than what it would cost to mail them.

Sure, it's 'only a part' that won't make an impact on Bessey's bottom line through the lost sale of it, but what about when 3D printing is advanced enough to print out all components for an actual clamp? It WILL happen!

[Evanism]

Well, that escalated quickly.

Yes, 3D printing, home laser kits and CNC are huge. The 3D thing-verse where you can down load a replacement cog for your broken washing machine will make parts distribution obsolete.

Printing can be done in ABS plastic in a range of colours, a number of metals including titanium and even in glass.

You just need the model.

The reason I'm into it is I'm an IT nut and been using 3DStudio forever as part of my job and printing the things has always been a desire. It has exploded in availability as the patents expired recently.

My son is a nutter for games and 3D work too and I'm trying to get him to see the light with selling his/my time in making one off designs and selling either the design to print-at-home or do it for others.

I believe that a large postal or courier company in the USA is now offering printing as a service, identical to a photo printing service. Expect to see it at office works any time soon....

Yes, the tech is absolutely perfect for this. I've offered to make prototypes for fletty. If we crack it I will "open source" it and give the improved design away for other on the forum to use/improve/print.

Keep in mind this isn't like printing a web page on your bubblejet. It takes considerable effort, time and skill to make the design work.... But the tech is getting better. One wouldn't make an entire clamp, it isn't economical - but for parts, prototypes, replacements, one off use objects, household items it is perfect.

The ABS is the same quality and strength as injection moulded objects: Lego, cogs on electric motors, low torque electric gearboxes, bearings, window latches, car parts, kitchen utensils, springs, remote control covers that break

[Evanism]

Sorry for the rant. Perhaps if youre vaguely interested, check: http://www.thingiverse.com/

[Redbog]

Sorry for the rant. Perhaps if youre vaguely interested, check: http://www.thingiverse.com/

Fletty,

How is your hand coming along mate? Good I hope?

Cheers, Redbog (Harry)

[fletty]

Just thinking.....
maybe I should get Evanism to have a go at a new finger for me..........?
fletty

[Sawdust Maker]

I still think there is a consumer remedy available for this

"have spare parts and repair facilities available for a reasonable time after purchase unless you were told otherwise."

now I gather these were bought some time ago but the exact same item is still being sold
Trouble is there dowsn't seem to be a Bessey Australia

[Evanism]

Just thinking.....
maybe I should get Evanism to have a go at a new finger for me..........?
fletty

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-2...d-heel/5830432

It will change the world. Manufacturers, here be warned!

[fletty]

It will change the world. Manufacturers, here be warned!

Earlier this year I was having radiation therapy for a runaway bcc that became a tumour in my nose bone. As an engineer, and fascinated by the process, I asked if there was a Plan B. I was further fascinated when I was told that Plan B was the surgical removal of the bone, 3D scanning IN THE SURGERY, 3D printing of a replacement, insertion of the replacement ......all in the same procedure!
The future is already here!

fletty