BESSEY VAS-23+2K, 23 ft Variable Angle Strap Clamp with 4 Clips

Very helpful when setting frames

This was my first time using wood molding to make a frame for a project, and I read about using a strap clamp when gluing the four pieces together after cutting the 45° angles in a miter box. It was faster to buy this on Amazon Prime than ship-to-store with the big hardware store that didn't have this particular model in stock (it had the best features of all the strap clamps), and it came in perfect timing. It was easy to use, and the corner pieces that have just the feet touching the wood, and not the strap, makes it super nice. I ran a couple of dry runs first, which I recommend since the first one I tightened too much and the frame popped apart like that game where all the pieces go flying - oops! I also recommend watching a YouTube video about how to use it, if you haven't use one before, since it doesn't come with any directions. You loosely put it around your project, place the corner pieces in place, use the rotating reel handle to reel in the strap tight, and then turn the large handle to the right to tighten it as much as you need. The length is longer than the others, which will come in handy with future frame projects, and the edges are better than the others, and the tightening mechanism is much better and faster than manually pulling each side of the strap like others have. And the cost is better than many with fewer features, plus the brand is reputable. Definitely worth getting!

works great, but this thing has a strap 27 feet long.. it's made for LARGE pieces.. make sure..

I was unsure about the product because some reviews said it broke when it was being tightened. Answer: Just don't tighten it so much like you're trying to secure it to a space shuttle. It's only a wooden frame that's getting held together while glue dries--no need to tighten it so that the veins bulge out of your forehead while doing it! That's my take on the reviews that say it broke on them. It's a plastic mechanism, not forged steel. Handle it as such and you'll be more than satisfied with how it keeps edges aligned and prevents warping in a frame.A few reviews also said that it didn't have instructions. Well, it doesn't. But I say if you need instructions telling you how to use this tool, then you probably shouldn't be doing whatever project it is in the first place. Just my opinion. As I look at all the tools in my shed, almost none of them ever had instructions. Do yours?OK--anyway--this is a super price on this tool and unless you want to buy a metal version for ten times this cost, just respect that it's plastic and use it accordingly. It will repay your efforts.

Arrived with the plastic packaging already cut open but all the parts were there. That's fine. Probably a return but absolutely nothing wrong with it except there were no instructions (maybe it doesn't come with any?) Grabbed a frame and got it all set up. Tightened it with the crank handle until it would turn no more. Thought I was going to break it! Things were still loose. I thought "what a bunch of junk" but the reviews had been good so (as with most of my life) I had to consider User Error. I did a Google search for a tutorial. Found one. 2:44minutes saved the day. And what a surprise: it was User Error! The video dude turned the crank handle until it turned no more and THEN twisted the main handle to tighten the rest of the way. I did as shown and the strap around my frame was tight as a drum. It's perfect!! This is really going to help in the frame making department. The only step in the framing process I'll need to change is that I'll need to wait until the glue dries completely, remove the strap and THEN shoot the brad nails in, as you can't do that with the strap on the frame. Seems a perfectly manageable alteration to me. All in all I would highly recommend this product, especially if you are a frame maker.

NOTE: dry fit all parts first. Apply glue to the required areas.The strap feeds from the square-shaped roller.1. Pull the strap out of the square end. (It is impossible to pull it out of the other end).2. Pull out enough strap to generously surround the area to be clamped.3. Install the 4 corner attachments, if desired. (If you are making a rather thin picture frame, it may be better to use the strap alone.) Check to ensure that the attachments are correctly positioned.4. Use the roller (attaches with 1 screw) to get a rough fit of the strap around the work.5. Check/adjust the position of the glued edges.6. Fine tune the tightening by turning the cylinder-shaped handle.Optional: Set heavy weight on the wooden frame to ensure it stays flat.7. To remove, loosen the cylinder-shaped handle and remove from work.

This is a great tool. Easy to use.

This clamp worked exactly as I expected. There are no instructions so takes a little intuition and practice. Each of the corner brackets have 2 tabs that the strap fits into. I’m using for small boxes and did several dry runs before my first glue up. I saw questions about how small it will go without any good answers so I’ll attempt one... I used on 6”x6” boxes. The smallest I could go looks to be determined by the width of the main body of the clamp which is 3” plus the width of 2 corner brackets, approx 2”. So seems like the smallest box/frame on the clamp side would be 5”. the perpendicular side would be defined by the 2 corner brackets only , 2”. So when using the corner brackets, looks like could work down to 5x2”. Used without the corner brackets it appears as if it could go somewhat smaller, e.g 3x3, 3x2, and the equivalent for items without 90 degrees.