Clamps have been dated back as far as the Egyptians, so it is safe to say they have a great purpose and legacy. Reminds me of a Mark Twain attribution I used to tell my son: "When I was 18, I was ashamed of my father and how ignorant he was. For precise glue-ups, they need help. Can-Do Clamp is one of the best bar clamps for woodworking for you. This product comes with non-marring pads to give a firm grip, at the same time, protecting your work piece from any scratches and scuffs. You should be well-informed about your options before any purchase, so we assembled this list of the best clamps for woodworking. Their flexibility is key to their success. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Clamps are an essential part of woodworking, whether you need to glue wood together or hold something down to safely and accurately work on it. According to Wikipedia Aclampis afastening deviceused to hold or secure objects tightly together to prevent movement or separation through the application of inwardpressure.. This means that it will be incapable of doing its job any further if the plastic jaw is broken. There are various brands out there and I would recommend the Bessey brand. If you are interested in seeing some great examples of old-style clamps I found a great blog post providing great examples here. Also, this product comes with a higher price tag. Do it yourself repairs, cabinetry, or even building a house made of wood will be a walk in the park. Three great finishes (that aren't polyurethane). Get complete site access to video workshops, digital plans library, online archive, and more, plus the print magazine. UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all. Well help you eliminate frustration and show you a few tricks to get the most from these clamps. Nails Jorgensen is a well-known woodworking brand among carpenter thanks to its high-quality products that come at reasonable prices. Its clamping power is at 140 pounds, distributing it productively with your work piece. Clean up any glue and dirt which will prevent it best operation. There are other brands on the market, so why the Dewalt Compound Miter Saw? this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. For equal pressure, this clamp utilizes a swivel jaw pad that can float inside a ball providing low resistance. Most of them have the same concept of closing the wood material between the clamps unless you are using a specialty clamp for a specific purpose. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Dont overtighten your wood material as it make cause dents or marks on your wood project. This means that you will have an easier time doing your work as a woodworker while being efficient in the said field. The new version also has less clamping power compared to the previous model. Please note as you use wood clamps you dont want to overtighten or under tighten the wood you are gluing. This will ensure it works like you want it to. We have them ranging in lengths from 12 in. I'm still missing two bolts for the moveable piece. Because Im almost always building square casework, I dont often need a strap clamp I use these so rarely, in fact, that Im not sure where we store them; I always have to ask. The Yost Medium Duty F-Clamps utilizes two clutch plates for a grip better on the steel rail. Click for full details. length. These work great for any quick clamping task, such as securing a workpiece to a bench, or small assemblies, such as gluing up a jewelry box. Whether you are a carpenter with years of experience, using your bare hands to align at 100% exact angles or create perfectly straight lines is impossible. Saws that were made to be used. I already own a few basic tools, but when it comes to clamps I'm not sure where to start, and have a limited budget. The plastic pads also feel flimsy and can easily break. If you are not able to get them totally flat you can use spacers under the wood while in the clamps to help ensure they are flat. I have maybe eight at home in various sizes, and we have about the same number at the shop. Old iron bar clamps particularly those with the saw-tooth pattern to locate the jaw are excellent. Lets look at the different types of clamps that are common on the market so you are prepared and get what you need for your wood project. It works perfectly to keep your work piece solid in one place so you can finish other tasks smoothly. If you dont want to spend extra for a limited scope of work, you have to give this one a pass. Please know that not all grip clamps are created equal so beware. Ugh! They are a lower cost alternative and are space saving. Read our Privacy & Cookie Policy, Jorgensen Cabinet Master 24-inch 90 Parallel Jaw Bar Clamp, The 7 Best Axes For Chopping Wood: The Buyers Choice, The 7 Best Budget Hand Plane For Woodworkers, The 7 Best Woodworking Chisels For Woodworkers, The 7 Best Tape Measure Holder For Measuring, Suitable for small projects and limited working areas only, Bends easily when working with heavy duty projects, Swivel pad looks a bit thin around the ball, Lesser clamping power compare to the previous model, Can easily change its functionality from gripping to holding. Ensure you are on a flat surface if possible. All Rights Reserved. Some of them are very cheaply made and will not work very well. Parallel clamps comes in different lengths and have the advantage of having a square beam. Rout the recesses right to hold a lid upright. The plastic jaw can also mean that there is a possibility of damage if it is dropped from a high point. Which hand planes should a power-tool woodworker buy first? Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more. This type of clamp I would recommend to start with. The mounting holes and movable jaw also make it convenient to settle down on your working table and move around. You can purchase the pipe clamp preassembled with a pipe or without the pipe. As your skills and projects grow, add more clamps to this collection as needed. One advantage of Jorgensen is versatility and practicality. The smaller ones see some use to hold odd-shaped pieces at the bandsaw. Parallel-jaw clamps (also known as K-bodies and cabinet clamps), These are the workhorse clamps in the shop where I teach. Difficult? The Jets have a faceted handle, and can thus be more easily gripped and tightened. First, get eight 34 " pipe-clamp fixtures (about $15 each), such as those shown above. This product is excellent for framing, doweling, drilling, and much more. This clamp is guaranteed to satisfy any user thanks to its excellent working efficiency and high-performance. They can also be used to scribe lines, transferring measurements from one surface to another (such as between an existing wall and a proposed foundation). Even though these arent my favorite, I inherited a decent selection of longer lengths that I use at home, most often for house renovation work. You can use the strap clamp can be used with 4 corners or even 3 corners. There are two different sizes of these clamps which are both excellent for one-handed woodwork. When working with delicate wooden materials, you wont need to worry, since this product features a plastic cap intended to prevent damage for your wood bar. If you are putting together boxes, which we woodworkers do a lot of, this is the clamp for you. (I know lots of people like these because couplers allow you turn short clamps into longer ones. Thats because I love old hand saws. Note that most of what I build is on the large side, so your needs might vary. But theyre made to fit the average man hand, so I cant actually use at least half of ours one-handed, which makes them kind of useless to me. I'd like to add a few longer K body styles -- 60 or maybe even 82 inch. The Tekon also offers various sizes that include 1-12 -inch C clamps for a variety of usage. We have about six of these clamps, all in 50-in.-plus lengths (and if I ever see them for a decent price at a yard sale or antique store, Ill snap them up). Start small and grow according to your wood projects. Heres how. Where do you start? However, I wonder if that expression is really true. When using these clamps, you will not need to worry about the clamp failing thanks to the double-assist-stability design. This is due to the fact that clamps are purpose-driven. I prefer the Jets, but either are fine for most jobs. It does not require too much expense, yet you can enjoy having a reliable and great tool to reduce work pressure and improve your working performance and enhance your productivity. I have a box of disused clamps. It utilizes an ergonomic and plastic handle for better clamping power, and better comfort, too. The brand offers you three years warranty to ensure smooth and reliable product use. Standard clamps are blunt instruments. How many people do you know that still use a handsaw? The TEKTON Malleable Iron C-Clamp Set bends easily when dealing with heavy-duty work pieces. You'll be glad you did. The best suggestion I can give you is when you walk to your wood shop Im sure you have in mind a wood project which you will work on. Its not only suitable for woodworking but also ideal for many different materials of a work piece, including light metal, composites, plastics, and mixed materials. Having just bought a house with a three-car garage, I'm looking to set up a woodworking shop. As mentioned above the old expression you can never have enough clamps is a clich that is said many times. One key advantage of this product is its versatility. We have a lot of these, but I typically use them only to hold things in place during a one-person glue-up when I need an extra hand. So heres my take on what clamps you need in a typical woodworking shop, in the order that I use them most. These quick grip clamps have ratchet bar clamps which are designed for quick grip and release functions. Big? This clamp is ideal for both beginners and professional woodworkers alike. There are so many on the market and so many choices out there it can be very overwhelming and frankly confusing. This clamp is also made of sturdy aluminum, making it durable and rust-resistant. This clamp is ideal and perfect in almost every aspect of your working area or working piece. The quick-grip design also allows you to release the clamps instantly using only one hand. The Irwin Quick-Grip clamp is only suitable for small projects and limited spaces. If you would like to purchase these you can get them on Amazon here. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, drill a hole through those to add a tommy bar to tighten, Shaker candle stand with Christian Beckvoort, New safety considerations when using epoxy, Workshop Tip: Protect clamp bars with waxed paper, Editor's Letter: Technology and the future of woodworking. The swivel pad also looks a bit thin around the ball. Basic grips and clamps are key to you starting in your wood shop, they are inexpensive and readily available. arent rigid enough for large-scale work. With only basic woodworking skills, a tablesaw, and a few simple tools, you can make custom cabinets for your home or shop. Strap Clamps are fairly new to the woodworking market however they are not a new concept. You can easily cut notches in the jaws for holding odd-shaped work. Keep your favorite wines, stemware, and serving accessories handy in this stylish unit. The upside to F Clamps is the flexibility they provide along with the confidence that they will not mark or dibble your wood project. Just a note on the newer Bessey K Revo clamps, they also have an 6 mm steel socket screw at the rear of the handle for applying additional force with a hex key. This product features a heavy-duty malleable steel frame, including durable backed finishes, confirming its long durability. I typically use these to attach fences to the tablesaw or to hold things in place while I use two hands to apply a stronger clamp. Get 3/4-in.-diameter pipes; the 1/2-in. The Can-Do Clamp is a breeze to use, especially for new woodworkers. One thing to keep in mind if your clamps are raw iron: they will stain your work (especially if its oak). This gives you great flexibility to the wood projects you create by using multiple lengths and few sets of pipe clamps. You can use this product not only for woodworking but also for the metalworking, fastening, gluing, and assembling and for other automotive applications, too. Here's a picture of one I built from scrap. They weigh a ton, which to me is unattractive, plus the jaws on most of them are pretty small, which limits their usefulness. Thats why having the best bar clamps for woodworking always comes in handy. The Pony clamp and the multi-disc clutch pieces. Again, your needs may vary, but the above clamps are sufficient for the wide variety of work that goes on where I teach, and for all my work at home, whether on furniture or on my house. With its secure system, you dont need to worry about any slips, and the 3-4/4 inch jaw reinforces the maximum pressure distribution. Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Still, its nice to have a handful around. One of, Read More What Are Hand Saws Used For And Are They Still RelevantContinue, You are wanting to start out making DIY Homemade wood signs. Parallel clamps are different but why. Plus tips, advice, and special offers from Fine Woodworking. If you have never used clamps they arent really difficult to use. To better understand the different types and available clamps I have included a great video from Rockler to help explain them. These are popular with woodworkers as well and can be used for multiple purposes. There are several factors to protecting your hearing, Read More Should I Wear Ear Protection During WoodworkingContinue, I never could understand why the saw is such an underappreciated tool. I believe the reason you are looking at the Dewalt Compound Miter Saw is, Read More Dewalt Miter Saw Essential Guide For BuyingContinue. The largest sizes come in handy most often either as an ersatz twin-screw vise or to hold work on edge. Nah. But do you really need to go out and buy a lot of clamps when you first start out? This product has a 2-3/4-inch width frame capacity and sliding T-handle for high clamping strength. However, some users noted that the product is not very durable and the easy-grip handle also feels a bit flimsy. The flexibility of this clamp is its strength. Also, it can contaminate your wooden surface, so make sure to protect your surface. With so many different types of clamps on the market, it can be confusing and overwhelming. Let Mother Nature be your co-designer as you build dazzling projects with wavy edges, bristly burrs, bark inclusions, and other flaws that give wood a look of unrefined beauty. You should see my hammer handles Hes built dozens of round Shaker stands over four decades, so there is no one more qualified than Christian Becksvoort to demonstrate making this classic. Before we get into some of the most popular clamps lets look at the basics you will need to get started because not all clamps are created equal and different clamps are better for different purposes. Throw in four couplers and you can join any two pipes together to make longer clamps. My dad used to like to say to me "you can't have too many clamps" and would encourage me to get me. But the jaws are much too shallow. Since the beam is square versus round like the pipe clamp the chances of damaging your wood material are minimal. Custom Wood Carving is reader-supported. This makes it even more difficult to understand what you need. It features a sliding T-handle for higher clamping power. Consider one of these three other clear finishes for your next project. The clamps come with the ability to use different size pipes both in diameter and length. Now that you have an idea what types of clamps are the best for a beginner, know that Grip clamps are very affordable, come in many sizes, and work very well for a beginner. Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox. Hopefully, you can use these reviews to find the right one that suits your needs and avoid any meshes related to substandard products. One end is static and the other moves along the square beam. The Jorgensen Cabinet Master 24-inch 90 Parallel Jaw Bar Clamp is a reliable brand known among woodworkers. A costcolian-sized pack from my local Costco comes in plain white, and it's made in Montral. They are very flexible work very well due to the square beam and 90 degree ends. Also, the wood material will not slide one way or the other. You can use it to clamp your wood bar tips for even more profound working results. Old ones, with heavy castings and deep Acme-thread screws. Thanks to the offset handle, you can exert far more pressure with these than with K-bodies, so theyre indispensable for large, heavy-duty work (such as gluing up a workbench top) or pulling tight joints home (not that you should do that), or closing up jigs when bending. However, finding the best bar clamps for woodworking may not be easy, especially when there are various models to choose from. I love the really deep reach on the big Bessey F clamps. Then there are an assortment of strap clamps, odd corner clamp things, etc. Rabbeting a shelf; Strength vs. appearance, Editor's Letter: A new tool with every project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month. I feel deficient by not using hand screws more. This will save money and make it easier to decide. These might seem old-fashioned, but theyre great to use as vises, say for holding work on edge on the bench. Get instant access to over 100 digital plans available only to UNLIMITED members. Wooden hand screws are versatile, but they can be confounding to use. When applying moldings, it almost always easier to shoot a few brads into the work than to try to clamp it in place. I also prefer the Jet over the Besseys. The Irwin Quick-Grip clamp is an innovative product with unique features. This bar clamp is ideal for small work piece projects or if you have to work in a limited working space. I mostly just use one or two at the drill press. You plan the wood material and have a drawing or vision of what you will be creating so use that to judge the clamps you may already have or need. The Best Wood Carving Tools, Guides, Accessories, Woodworking Tips & More. They will assist you in joining boards, holding wood for cutting and sanding, etc. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building. Honestly, I most often use these to clamp things to my bench at the edge when a holdfast wont reach. Below I have a very good review and look at various F Clamps to help you understand what you need to know and that they are not all created equal. Moving forward to more recent years clamps have evolved to new types of materials being used to ensure flexibility, durability, and ease of use but, the basic clamp still exists today. But Id rather stock up on K-bodies and vintage bar clamps. Then buy 34 " black pipe in 24" and 48" lengths (four of each), threaded on both ends. Yes. Can you help me invest wisely in clamps I'll need?Gordon Dennett, Philadelphia. How many clamps do I need for woodworking and more specifically what type of woodworking clamps do I need for my wood shop. It replaces the old-school version of using ratchet straps to hold your box together. If you had to recommend three, which hand planes should I start with? Consider the wood project and ask yourself what you will need. Grip clamps are readily available and fairly inexpensive. Working in a wood shop comes with many hazards and noise levels are definitely one to consider. Is it OK to copy projects from the magazine? For your information here is an excellent overview of clamps from Popular Woodworking. Pipe clamps have a long legacy and are very popular with woodworkers. There are also newer, aluminum bar clamps, and there are all sorts of ways for making these stronger (they bend easily under not much strain). I've never had to use it, but it serves the same purpose as the hole through the handle Megan had mentioned. If you do a lot of cabinetry wood work or boxes in general you may want to consider a strap clamp to add to your toolset. If you havent considered a Dewalt Miter Saw Stand you may change your mind once you find out how versatile they can be and how they, Read More Dewalt Miter Saw Stand: Do You Really Need ItContinue, Laser levels are used in construction to place objects at a consistent height, such as wall studs or ceiling joists. I need to build two more and use two bar clamps. These are inexpensive, which makes them attractive. The F Clamp originates from the shape of the clamp which resembles the letter F. If you are familiar with the C Clamp it is very similar however it has a wider throat (Depth of Clamp) to accommodate wood pieces and not have the issues with the C form. (Yes, at about that age he admitted Twain had a point.). During my research when I was starting out, there are many things I wish I knew. Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community. to 50 in. Additionally, it allows you to slowly adjust and make perfect your box as you slowly tighten. However, do note that since its using aluminum, its not really ideal for heavy-duty use. Yes, there are all sorts of other clamps, including specialty clamps for miters and the like but we dont use them much. I would recommend a known brand name such as Dewalt and Irwin. Jim Tolpin wrote an article for FWW (May-June 1995, issue # 112) about a wedge clamping stand for panel glue-ups. However, over the journey of my wood, Read More DIY Homemade Wood Sign Projects For BeginnersContinue, When you use your Dewalt Miter Saw or any brand Miter Saw you need a safe and flexible platform to use your saw on. You can use the Yost Tool to stabilize different shapes of any work piece by using a swivel jaw pad. So if youre thinking of a huge project, this might not be the right one for you. And the ones I can use with one hand exert only a little pressure, so they dont hold things in place very well. A few basic clamps will work very well for you. But when they get too long, theyre awfully heavy and unwieldy. ; we have the most (12) in the 26-in. However, instead of steel, the manufacturer used hard plastic for handles. You can find these at your Home Depot, Lowes, and Amazon. I had no idea they could do that. But if I were building demilune tables, Id want to know where they live. The diameter size is a personal choice although both work very well. Disclaimer: This site is owned and operated by Woodworking By LPI. A great advantage to the pipe clamp is the ability to purchase different lengths of pipe. Still, if needs must ). But it looks like a WW1 field dressing in short order, so I finish the handle with coloured grippy hockey tape, available online. You're in luck, Gordon, because a good starter set will set you back only a few hundred dollars, and you can find all you need at a local home center or hardware store. Its reinforced resin body and hardened steel bars ensure strength, durability, and long-term use. I wanted to research and provide you the best information to help you determine the best solution for you to use to protect your hearing. TEKTON Malleable Iron C-Clamp Set very durable thanks to the materials used and its I-beam design. (And if you can, get rubber pads to cover the jaws, or epoxy some scrap on the jaws. But they do come in handy from time to time. You can easily change the clamps functionality between holding and supporting via changing the direction of the clump. They also work fine on smaller work, but they weigh a lot so I usually reach for the K-bodies unless I need to exert extra pressure. Additionally, the moveable 90-degree jaws close in on the wood material very easy and the hand screw handle allows you to tighten and provide that extra holding power. I do wish we had a few more deep-reach F-styles those are handy for gluing on the top dust seal on a tool chest (I build a lot of tool chests). I also use them a lot for exerting pressure in a specific spot. Wrapping hockey tape around clamp handles makes for a nice grip, and you can keep wrapping round and round to fit the size of your hand. Know more about bar clamps. I had a nice collection and had never ever used them all; not even close. But I prefer the older wood handles. This product is a bit expensive compared to its other counterparts in the market. The older and more beat-up, the better. You can press all the pieces down flat to the bars as a good starting point to align the workpieces. The Can-Do Clamp is a practical option for your woodworks. It also uses plastic materials for handles and hard steel for the bar, so it isnt very easy to bend or flex this clamp. And while I think its true that you cant have too many, you can have too many useless ones. Next, get yourself four 12"-long one-handed ratcheting bar clamps, such as those shown below. Below I wanted to go thru and provide brief descriptions of each of the most recommended wood clamps to give you a good perspective for consideration on what you may want to buy for your wood projects. By the time I turned 21 I was amazed at how much the old man had learned". You will want the wood material flat as possible. My dad smiled when I told him that. Blessed with an eye for potential, David Willett looked at his dark, unfinished 112-car garage built in 1956 and saw the bones of a workshop. The tip on adjusting the K bodies is great. They are durable, can put a great deal of pressure on the wood project, and last quite a while, which is what you want in a woodworking clamp tool. Then you add the pipe, typically black pipe with threads on each side. The typical size is 3/4 in diameter, however, 1/2 diameter is also available. If you are looking for a heavy-duty clamp for massive woodworking projects, then the BORA 24 Parallel Clamp Set is the one for you. The Yost Tool is one of the best bar clamps for woodworking if you are looking for a large-capacity brace. Also, this product utilizes 3.5-inch deep throat with a padded jaw to keep your wood safe and free from any damages. This brand is famous in the woodworking world for its designs that ensure strong and steady. They do jobs that nothing else can, apart from an anvil. We all start somewhere and it seems to be very confusing upfront. Clamps are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the main purpose is to hold and bind wood pieces in place until the glue dries. Not many Ill bet. That could include different lengths of one-handed bar clamps, band clamps for mitered frames and boxes, and hand-spring clamps for light-duty jobs. If youre looking for the best bar clamps for woodworking, Tekon is one of the best products that you should definitely look into. I should find new homes for them. Enter now for your chance to win more than $2,000 worth of woodworking equipment from Woodpeckers. Custom Wood Carving is reader-supported. Knowing the history and basics of clamps gives us an idea of what clamps we are looking for and what we need. We shadowed two experienced makers and installers of custom cabinetry to bring you simple tips and tricks that will keep your built-in projects (and your sanity) on the bubble.. The ones that get the most use around here are the tiny ones. The two largest purveyors of this style of clamp are Bessey and Jet. In this seven-part video series,, Chris Gochnour's sideboard combines usefulness, strength, and beauty in a contemporary case piece. So take care. One-handed clamps (also known as ratcheting clamps) I use pipe clamps for really long tasks now. If purchased without the pipe you receive just two pieces. The type of woodworking clamp you use in your wood shop is determined by the type of woodworking projects you make. The Strap Clamps are offered in many configurations. (One of the nice things about the Bessey clamps is that if they start to slip, you can adjust them by inserting an Allen wrench into the little hole behind the handle on the lower jaw turn the set screw about a quarter turn to expose new threads.).