Woodworking Clamps are Better than a Second Set of Hands

A wood workshop isn’t complete without a set of clamps. As a second set of hands, they come in very handy. You can use them to hold pieces of wood together while the glue is drying, keeping parts together so you can mark up and secure your project while you work on it. One set of clamps is never enough. You can choose the most versatile clamps but there will no doubt be times when you need a different set.

C-Clamp

C-clamps have been around for years and are often used for metalwork projects. They are ideal for holding pieces for glueing and securing your project or jigs to the bench or fence. Most C-clamps range from 3 inch to 10 inch so if your clamping job is bigger than a 10-inch reach, try using pipe or bar clamps.

Pipe Clamp

Pipe clamps are flexible in that you can decide how long you need them to be. The tailpiece slides and locks along the pipe to change the width while the headpiece has a screw that drives the clamping face. The pipe clamp is ideal for edge gluing pieces of wood together and other assembly jobs.

Bar Clamp

Similar to pipe clamps, the bar clamp has a built-in screw to apply pressure. The moving head adjusts capacity and the bar has a serrated edge into which the moveable head locks when pressure is applied. The head is square to the bar so your project should come out right after gluing. The bar clamp can also be used for holding the project on the bench or a jig and holding parts together while making layout lines and for assembly. A good quality bar clamp has a heavy, rigid bar with a hefty clamping head that fit squarely and holds tight.

Parallel Clamp

If you have a project that needs to be pulled in square without the need to check then the parallel clamp may be the one. The jaws stay parallel and at 90 degrees so they are easy to handle. A parallel clamp can deliver a huge clamping force and are ideal for large projects.

Face Frame Clamp

A face frame clamp distributes the clamping force evenly, so there is no marring of the wood. It is a versatile clamp that can be used for pocket hole joinery, project construction and general clamping. Right angle face frame clamps are used for projects with a 90-degree joint while micro face frame clamps are used for projects that require flush Kreg joints.

Corner Clamp

If you need a square corner from gluing two pieces of wood together, then a corner or spring mitre clamp is your answer. Choose the appropriate size spring clamp then use the spreader to open and position the clamp. While not as versatile as some of the other clamps, these clamps ensure you achieve an accurate result for a job that could be quite tricky without them.

One Hand Clamp

The one hand or speed clamp is easy to use because it can be operated with just one hand. Simply squeeze the handle to close the jaws a little more. Good clamping pressure is achieved and with a protective pad, the clamp won’t mar your wood. The speed clamp may be used to keep a project in place while you attach a heavier clamp such as a pipe or bar clamp.