WOODWORKING CLAMPS REVIEW
QUICK NOTE: To buy any product reviewed below, click on the “Buy Now” button to go directly to the appropriate page on another secure site to get more information on that product and/or make a purchase. The "Bob's Pick" logo below indicates which of the products below has earned Bob Gillespie’s highest purchase recommendation. Below the reviews is a SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON CHART and, finally, an article by Bob Gillespie on important features to consider when shopping and why.
 |
 |
Sure Foot Plus Pipe Clamps are a great alternative to Jorgensen Pony Pipe Clamps because they don't tip over on you bench top so during panel glue-ups due to the wider foot provided. Otherwise, they are comparable to the Piny brand.
A nice thing about Sure Foot Plus pipe clamps is that they don’t include the pipe. The reason that I say this is that by making you supply the pipe (black pipe is suggested but galvanized works well) you can choose your own pipe lengths. This enables you to have any length of pipe clamp imaginable. Since Sure Foot Plus clamps screw on and slide onto the pipe, you can simply change the pipe to change the length of the clamp. This means you don’t have to buy a clamp set for every pipe you have.
From experience, I have found that I have used 3-foot and 4-foot lengths the most. I also had some 6-foot lengths on hand. For production efficiency, I leave most of the pipes assembled and hang them on a sturdy clamp rack I made on the wall. I also purchased slip-on plastic pads for every pipe and bar clamp to avoid marring the wood I was gluing together.You can also use wood blocks for this purpose.
The downside of pipe clamps? They are not as strong as bar clamps and may bend a bit under extreme clamping pressure, although this is unusual. If you need an absolutely flat clamp, then you may want to consider bar clamps as an alternative.
Approximate Pricing (Per Set): $17
These are large, clamps used for edge gluing lumber, holding casework in position during construction and similar operations on large objects. They have a wide foot design so they don't tend to tip over as easily as competitive bar clamps. As stated above, the advantage of bar clamps, relative to pipe clamps, is that they are stronger and flatter, being based on square-tube aluminum runners rather than on black or galvanized pipe. The disadvantage of bar clamps is that they only come in fixed lengths. If you are on a tight budget, you will be forced to consider the longer sizes because long clamps can also be used for small projects but small clamps are limited to their shorter capacities. Pipe clamps (above) are less expensive but may bend under extreme pressure.
Approximate Pricing by Length 24" = $36, 36" = $39, 48" = $42, 60" = $50
A 48" aluminum bar and connector kit is available for approximately $27 to create even longer lengths.
These are probably the most inexpensive type of clamp and one of the most useful. Used for clamping things together when the parts are immediately adjacent to each other, spring clamps come in many sizes and strengths. Strength of clamping pressure is not the strong suit of the spring clamp. Positive attributes include ease and speed of on-off operation and, because spring clamps are inexpensive, the possibility of owning a lot of them and thus being able to spread the clamping pressure over a wide area. An example of this would be found in laminating 2 or more thin strips of wood together into a long curve. One could place many spring clamps at close intervals and thus obtain even pressure all along the glue joints.
Approximate Pricing: 1" Opening = $4, 2" = $5, 3"=$9.
JORGENSEN MODEL 3700 BAR CLAMPS
Unlike their large cousins, these small clamps are neither heavy nor cumbersome. They are designed to replace the traditional C-clamp, being lighter and yet still able to exert a considerable amount of pressure. The uses that you will find for these clamps around the shop or jobsite are almost endless. I have used them for clamping workpieces and jigs to table tops and machine tables even more than I have used them to clamp wood pieces together for gluing.
Approximate Pricing: 6" Opening = $12, 12" = $13, 18" = $14, 24" = $16.
BESSEY TG PROFESSIONAL SERIES BAR CLAMPS
These bar clamps compare to the Jorgenson 3700 Clamps (above) in how they work but differ in that they are larger in both power and capacity. These are for bigger jobs where more pressure is required. Non-marring, glue resistant jaw pads are provided. A set screw that is molded into the sliding arm, interlocks with serrations on the rail to prevent slippage under pressure. Acme thread means more tightening with fewer turns.
Approximate Pricing: 6" Opening = $12, 18" = $15, 24" = $16, 36" = $19.
This type of clamp has become extremely popular in recent years. Its use is almost identical to a C-clap or small bar clamp. The difference is speed and ease of use. The drawback is comparatively less clamping power. Operation is simple: you simply squeeze the operating handles together to force the jaws together and release them late with t small trigger. These versatile clamps can also be used as spreaders by turning the operating head around backwards on the bar.
Approximate Pricing: 6" Opening = $27, 12" = $30, 18" = $33, 24" = $38.
These clamps are a bit expensive but only because the manufacturer has had extreme accuracy as a primary goal. These clamps are used for gluing small projects, like fine boxes, together in such a way that the finished product is absolutely square. These clamps are commonly used in sets of 4, applying equal pressure simultaneously in four directions across and along the project. Vertical spread of this pressure has also been carefully considered in the design. The jaws are 4 1/8” deep.
Specially-designed parallel clamp blocks are available hold four parallel clamps in square and vertical alignment to each other. These can be locked into position with provided bench dogs, if so desired. Each clamp has a measurement scale embossed on its bar to allow you to see visually that you have applied equal clamping pressure on parallel clamps.
Approximate Pricing: 12" = $38, 24" = $41, 31" = $39, 40" = $45, 50" = $46
BESSEY REVO K-BODY CLAMPS
Designed for high-pressure hand clamping, these top-quality clamps apply pressure evenly across the entire area of their large jaws. Your workpieces will be protected from marring by the included, glue-repellant, replaceable jaw caps. This clamp is designed to provide even pressure across the entire surface of your work to guard against lifting, turning and bowing during the gluing process. Each clamp includes a workpiece support that prevents contact between the workpiece and bar during gluing. Clamp operation is via a comfortable Power-Grip handle that moves one jaw along the bar to apply clamping pressure. Extenders are available to tie two clamps together for longer length.
Approximate Pricing: 12" Opening = $40, 24" = $40, 31" = $48, 40" = $53, 50" = $56, 60" = $65.
This clamp allows you to toggle between clamping and spreader modes without taking the tool apart. The large 3 1/4" throat depth means that this clamp will enjoy constant use. A comfortable handle does the tightening and a quick-release button is located right under your thumb. Removable jaw pads can be re-configured for spreading and clamping operations.
Appoximate Pricing: 12" Opening = $25, 18" = $27, 24" = $30.
I have found this simple device to be a simple solution to a large problem and that problem is holding box, drawer or cabinet sides at 90 degrees to each other while they are being fastened or glued together. I make most of my casework with large dovetails in the corners (see separate article on that subject) and although I use pipe or bar clamps to pull the dovetails tightly together while gluing, I want to also make sure that the cabinet is going to be square on all four corners. These Clamp-it assembly squares give me that assurance. If the assembly squares show that the cabinet is not going to be square, I simply adjust the pressure on the pipe or bar clamps to correct everything before the glue dries.
Approximate Pricing: $13
This is a specialty clamp designed solely for the purpose of holding cabinet or box corners together at perfect right angle alignment while they are being screwed or otherwise fastened together. It is important to note that this device is NOT meant for forcing mitered corners together in a gluing operation. The next clamping device will do a far better job with that task.
Approximate Pricing: $41 ea.
This is the only device that I have found that actually forces picture frame miters together at the corners. There are many other devices and clamps out there that accurately hold mitered pieces together in alignment but they do not provide gluing pressure at the same time. With this device, the corners are held at right angles to each other, even if the miters are not at the proper 45 degrees, so it is important to make sure that your miters are as close to 45 degrees as humanly possible. Other devices that we will discuss later in this review apply pressure evenly around the entire box or frame and so, with these devices, a parallelogram, rather than a square or rectangle, is possible if the miters are not at an exact 45 degrees. In this case, the miters may look good but the project may be out of square.
Approximate Pricing: $70 ea.
This device is elegant in its simplicity but may not always produce perfect results. This design has been around for a while. An improvement in this version is the addition of quick-release tighteners so you can remove the clamp quickly after each picture frame is glued. The accuracy of this device depends on perfect, 45 degree miters and equal and sufficient pressure in all directions.
Approximate Pricing: $25 ea. set.
|
|
|
This clamping device for picture frames works on a similar manner to the corner framing clamp above. The difference is that it works better and faster in its job of pulling all four corners together at the same time. Instead of having to apply individual and probably unequal pressure at four corners, the Clampmate only requires one, central adjustment. If you have a bunch of Clampmates and have mastered getting all your miters at a perfect 45 degrees, you can get a lot of picture frames glued together in the same day.
Approximate Pricing: $32 ea.
Up until this point, I have assumed that you want square corners with 45 degree miters. That may be the norm but what if you want to deliberately make a parallelogram frame or perhaps a box with eight sides, none of the devices mentioned above will help you but the Bessey Variable Angle Strap Clamp will. A strap doesn’t care if your miters are any particular number of degrees. It only cares that your miters are pulled closed. On this strap clamp, as opposed to lesser strap clamps, you get a geared winder that cranks the strap until it is at the proper tightness. Afterwards, you simply release it and ratchet it back into the winder body. The strap measures 1” wide by 23 feet long, ample for most projects.
Approximate Pricing: $46.
These inexpensive but very useful clamps are designed to hold things in place temporarily. I have used them most often in jigs for the table saw, drill press and other machines where I don’t want the workpieces to move while they are being sawed, drilled or routed. After the operation is complete, these clamps can be released with the flick of a finger and are then ready for the next workpiece. These little wonders are made in a variety of sizes and styles. Some of these clamps are designed to press down, some push out, some pull in. You are sure to find the style you need to make the jigs you need for production efficiency.
The final two devices are not really clamps but they USE clamps to do what they do so well. I am referring to straight edge guides that clamp onto your workpiece, allowing you to draw a line or guide a power tool exactly where you want it to go.
Approximate Pricing: $20.
ALL-IN-ONE CLAMP GUIDE
This is a zero-deflection, self-squaring straight edge that clamps across your workpiece so that you can cut, rout, mark or whatever you need to do in a straight line. Gone are the days of snapping a chalk line across a sheet of plywood and then trying to cut along a pencil line with a circular saw or jigsaw. Simply locate the straight edge where you want the cut to be and press down on the clamping device which will lock the straightedge to the board and simultaneously pull it into 90 degree alignment with the edges. There is a track built into the straight edge that can be used to track tools or jigs along the device while cutting or routing. Attachments are available that connect to your tools and then run along the track.
Approximate Pricing: 12" Opening = $38, 24" = $35, 36" = $41, 50" = $44, 99" = $114.
ALL ABOUT WOODWORKING CLAMPS
Sometimes we take for granted the very things we cannot live without. Only, on the rare occasion where one of these things is not present do we realize its overwhelming importance to us. Some of these things are crucial to life support like air, gravity, water, food and even, it could be fairly argued, love. Others, while not fatal to us (if missing) are, nonetheless, crucial necessities to life as we know it. An example of this would be ball bearings which are used in cars, trucks, airplanes, ships, motors and machines. Another, to the woodworker, would be clamps, the subject of this present discussion and tool review.
I want to point out that woodworking, as we know it, would simply cease to exist without clamps to hold wooden parts together while we are gluing or otherwise fastening them together. It’s not that there is anything in what I have said so far that is news to anyone. It’s simply a matter of being conscious of the value of things that bless us every day of our lives.
I once sold off the entire contents of a woodworking shop. I advertised each tool individually. The ads were hardly out when I received a flood of calls from woodworkers looking for clamps. I sold all the clamps I had the first day. It was then that I realized how much every woodworker needs clamps.
Now that we have a re-awakened appreciation of the importance of woodworking clamps in general, let’s take another look at how very many types of clamps exist and how each one has been designed to solve a particular clamping need. Some types of clamps are used by just about every woodworker. These would include C-clamps and pipe clamps. Other, more specialized types of clamps, such as spreader clamps or picture frame clamps might not be necessary to many woodworkers. In the review above, I started with simple clamps and worked up to the more exotic, specialized clamp designs.
Bob Gillespie
© 2010 PerfectWoodworking.com
