What Is A Woodworking Clamp?
I wish to share the best and most useful woodworking clamps with you that I use most consistently. Yet first for the beginner we need to know what this tool is. When speaking about woodworking clamps you need to know it is NOT a vise.
These clamps are most often used in joining pieces of wood together in various ways. In some situations they can be used in conjunction with a vise to fix lumber to a bench so it will not move. Yet this is not really their purpose. A vise is used for that purpose.
Clamps can also be used in conjunction with jigs of various sorts. This function is quite common as they act as an extra hand in safety and accuracy.
Bar Clamp
There are multiple versions of this bar clamp. I find that I need almost all of them. They are that functional and useful. I will break down the two most common that I use and give a brief overview in how I use them.
6 To 12 Inch Bar Clamp
I use these most often with jigs. The shorter 6 inch version I often pair with the Incra Ibox or other jigs when using the table saw. The clamp should have a quick release trigger allowing for ease of use and speed.
You will find these listed by different names. I have seen them called spreader bar clamps, and also named as a ratchet clamp. Much will depend on the branding and design of the clamp as to what it is called.
Typically rated anywhere between 50 to 100 lbs of clamping pressure it is for light duty work. Essentially it is the perfect extra hand to simply hold something in place. I also use it for other light duty functions with things like box making holding smaller glued pieces together.
These clamps probably get the most use out of any other clamp in my studio. I own a set in the 6 inch range and another set in the 12 inch range. If you are starting out in woodworking these are really a must have.
36+ Inch Clutch Style Bar Clamp
The clutch style bar clamp is another must have. I most often use these in panel making joining boards edge to edge for wood art. While it is a bar clamp, this is a different breed from its smaller little brothers.
The bar is often made of steel and also features a quick release. Due to its size it is perfect for larger spreads and is often capable of near 1000 lbs of clamping force. The design of the clamp helps prevent marring the surface of the wood while allowing you to join multiple boards with ease.
While I do not use these clamps every day, when I need them there is no other clamp that can replace them. Some versions allow for pressure to be applied in two directions. Not only will they clamp together but some are made to spread with similar pressure.
Pipe Clamps
For a fine woodworking shop you will not often see pipe clamps. Yet they are very useful in large projects. In table making or other furniture pieces their use is more common.
The concept is much like the larger bar clamps. The difference is found in the length is customized by the size pipe you use with the clamp. If you need a bigger clamp, just get a bigger pipe and you are ready to go.
The disadvantage to these is that they can become bulky when using them. This is why they are often found used in larger projects. While irreplaceable when needed it is not one that I find using often in my studio. Yet I am no furniture maker either.
Drop Forged C Clamp
These are heavy duty when compared to the lighter 12 in bar clamps. Yet these C clamps are often rated as light duty. Personally I would give them more credit than this meager rating.
The 8inch or larger versions can offer 700 plus pounds of clamping pressure. These are great for helping a vise when needed. Additionally they can provide that necessary pressure when joining multiple pieces.
Do take care with this clamp though. It is capable of marring the surface with how the pressure is applied. I often use a shim to prevent direct contact with the wood art I am working with. In this way the project is protected and the needed pressure can be applied.
Toggle Clamp
The toggle clamp can be invaluable when needed. I most often use these with a jig I made to be used as a sled. The toggle clamp will hold a piece of wood on the sled as the sled pushes the wood on the table saw.
The clamps purpose is to fix the wood to the sled so that the cut will create a perfect straight edge. The toggle clamp has many other functions and potential uses that are too many to name here. It will eventually be used in your woodshop if you do not already have them.
Its clamping pressure in some versions can reach to around 500 lbs. The clamp itself is adjustable so that it can clamp varied thicknesses of wood. It is held down by screws or bolts depending on its function you wish for it to serve.
Face Clamp
The face clamp is popular among many woodworkers and often is used in joining lumber face to face. The most common allow for clamping material between 2 to 3 inches in thickness. The clamping force is usually in the 300 lbs range.
While this clamp has been historically popular and is often found in many shops today I personally prefer the smaller bar clamps. They allow for more flexibility while still giving comparable clamping pressure on the 12 inch versions.
I would not call a face clamp a must have but it definitely can have its special role in woodworking. If you are starting out I might would not consider this a must have at the beginning.
Miter And Corner Clamps
Just as the name suggests this clamp is for a specialty purpose in miter and corners. If you do not have one of these yet, you soon will. There is really few other options that one can find for this purpose unless you make a homemade solution.
The clamp allows for you to take two pieces of lumber and join them at 90 degrees. Most often used with things such as boxes or fames, its function is irreplaceable. These can also be used in conjunction with box joinery if one likes.
When using with box joinery a slight modification may need to be made with shims yet this is easy to do. Much will depend upon the style of corner clamp you have and its size. The clamp itself is easy to use and worth the investment.
Hand Screw Clamps
The old school hand screw clamps are a classic and deserve a mention here. While smaller modern bar clamps with quick release features have tried to replace these icons of woodworking they are not the same.
The hand screw clamp is often made from wood. The more common ones found would be smaller and for light duty use as the extra hand. Much like the 6 inch bar clamp they are great to use with jigs or holding smaller parts together.
While I cannot really lay claim to any major advantages one way or another you will simply have to try one of these. It is a different feel and you may discover that you like this more than the bar clamp.
I will say that it gives the feel of more fine control in clamping pressure by comparison. This is something that many who gain experience look for and enjoy having.
Other Woodworking Clamps
There are many other woodworking clamps you will find on the market. Yet those that I have mentioned are among the most common that can be found in a shop or studio. As you continue your work certainly you will find specialty needs.
Bench clamps and hold downs may be among the first you discover needing. The variety there is many depending upon the function necessary. If I were to suggest an area to explore outside of my above list that category would be one to look into.
Others such as strap clamps I find less useful in my wood art. Nevertheless your work may dictate its need in your shop. You can find many specialty clamps but I would only get them on an as needed basis.
How Not To Use A Woodworking Clamp
Please take a moment to read this for safety. Know that a clamp is not a vise. If you need to hold your lumber so that it is immovable for working with hand blades you need a vise.
The problem with clamps is that they can slip. Be sure that when you use woodworking clamps that you are safe. This is especially true when using with jigs on table saws or other machinery.
More often than not these tools act as added hands which apply needed pressure at the right points of contact. They do not aid in providing a fixture for hand carving with other tools. I will say that if one is using a vise then adds in conjunction the use of a clamp one should be safe.
Top Three Clamps For Beginners
If I had to suggest the top three clamps for someone new to woodworking the list is easy. The first is the 6 to 12 inch bar clamps. Then the longer and bigger brother being the 36+ inch bar clamps. Beyond this I would suggest the toggle clamp.
Hands down the versatility in function that these offer are so wide in range that you will be using them more often than any other. This is especially true if your work is smaller not involving things such as furniture.
If you are looking to get into table making or other large pieces I would suggest one change. The pipe clamp should replace the 36+ inch bar clamps. You will use these far more often while the larger bar clamps may sit in the corner collecting dust.
Even if you are getting into larger projects I still would say to get the smaller bar clamps. They are definitely a must have. You will eventually go nuts without them.
Does Brand Matter?
Some people prefer one brand over another for many reasons. Yet with these tools brand really does not matter. I say that with one exception. Do not go with cheap junk.
As long as you are in the more common tool brands then you will be alright. I really have not found one better than another. You should be considering these tools in another way.
Instead of looking at brand names look at the functions they offer. If there is a specific feature that one company has designed which you like then go with it. What the tool can provide you is far more important than the brand name that is on it.
In terms of durability I have had no issues with any clamp in any of the regularly named tool brands. In years of work I have had no failures. There is the obvious wear and tear with eventual replacement that comes with all tools.
No one brand really stands out beyond another. So having said that once you find the function or features you like just go for it.
Price Of Woodworking Clamps
The prices vary but when compared to other tools they are cheap. A few hundred dollars will get you the majority of what you need in one shot.
I would suggest to check online first before going to the hardware store. You can often find better deals on the internet compared to in store. This is not always the case but it has been true in the past for me.
Once you get into specialty clamps your only alternative will usually be online anyway. Yet bar clamps and C clamps are fairly common in most hardware stores. There are times when these can be bought in packages of 4 to save a little money.