Clamps are essential wood working tools that you need to have in your toolbox. They come in different shapes and sizes to help you perform various tasks in your workshop.
When choosing a clamp, make sure it has the right balance between mobility and clamping pressure. This will ensure that it is used effectively and lasts longer.
C-clamps
C-clamps are designed to hold pieces of work together. They are usually made from cast iron or forged steel.
The main part of a clamp is called the frame. This takes on the most pressure that is placed on a piece of work while it is being held in place.
A C-clamp also has jaws that grip the work to keep it together. There are two jaws, and one is stationary while the other is moveable. The moveable jaw has a metal clamping plate that is adjusted using the screw so it can clamp different sizes of work.
These clamps are great for holding materials together for gluing, nailing, fastening, welding, and other types of projects. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, throat depths and load capacities to meet your needs.
F-clamps
F-clamps are a common choice for small woodworking projects that don’t require as much clamping pressure as parallel clamps. These clamps feature a simple design that focuses all the pressure at the end of the jaw.
This makes them a great option for applications where you want to apply targeted pressure, such as when holding a piece of wood together for a DIY project. They also come in various lengths and different jaw reaches, so they can be purchased to match the needs of your projects.
F-clamps are an ideal solution for a number of tasks, such as holding items to the bench [Photo G], holding drawer and box glue-ups and countless other projects. But they can sometimes cause damage to a workpiece if you use too much pressure. To avoid this, make sure you have enough space between the moveable jaw and the surface of your workpiece.
Pipe clamps
Pipe clamps are a staple of woodworking because they work well on a variety of jobs. They have a large capacity and can be used to press planks together under high pressure, even if they are slightly bent.
They are also easy to adjust. You can switch out the head of the clamp to a different length pipe as needed and are less expensive than bar clamps.
The size of pipe you need will depend on a few factors, including the type of projects you do in your shop. You may prefer a shorter length if you only work on smaller projects, or longer lengths if you work on larger projects.
You can use either galvanized pipe or black steel pipe for these clamps, but the black version is more affordable and easier to find. Black steel is traditionally used for gas lines, so it’s a good choice for woodworkers on a budget. It’s also less likely to leave stains on your woodworking projects.
Joint clamps
Clamps are an important part of any woodworking toolkit. They help with a variety of tasks and can make your life much easier.
When gluing wood together, clamps allow you to apply a lot of pressure so the glue dries quickly and holds well. They also distribute clamping pressure evenly, which is critical for a glue-up to be successful.
Some woodworking projects require special joints that can be difficult to achieve without a clamp. These include picture frames, glass cabinet frames and specialist joints such as pocket hole joints.
Another important reason to use clamps is to ensure that the joint is strong and able to withstand stress. Too little pressure can result in a weak joint, and too much can damage the wood or the clamp.
The amount of clamping force you need depends on the project and the type of wood. Some types of wood, such as hard maple or oak, can withstand more pressure than softwoods.
