What Is an F-Type Clamp?
A clamp, also known as a fastener, is a tool used for securing materials to a workbench or another surface.
An F-type clamp is a specific type of clamp that secures material by sliding one side of the clamp’s jaw (the clamping portion). It is named an F-type clamp because its shape, combining the main arm and the sliding part, resembles the letter “F” in the alphabet.
Unlike the C-type clamp, which is the most basic form of clamp, the F-type clamp comes in various sizes based on the arm’s length. It is used for a broad range of applications, from full-scale machine tools to home DIY projects.
How to Use F-Type Clamps
First, adjust the width between the jaws (mouth opening) to match the material’s thickness by moving the sliding part of the F-type clamp along the arm. A stopper at the end of the main arm prevents the sliding part from falling off.
To secure the material, turn the handle, which rotates the screw part, to tighten it firmly.
You can adjust the tightening strength by operating the handle. For soft materials like wood, it is advisable to place a piece of wood between the clamp and the material to prevent damage from excessive tightening.
How to Choose F-Type Clamps
F-type clamps, compared to C-type clamps, offer less clamping strength.
However, F-type clamps are more efficient for fastening materials since you can tighten them to a specific distance by moving the sliding part. In contrast, C-type clamps require rotating the handle from the beginning to tighten the screws.
Thus, F-type clamps are more suitable for tasks that do not demand a very strong tightening force.
F-type clamps come in various sizes, combining different maximum opening sizes and throat depths. The maximum opening size ranges from 4″ to 24″, depending on the material’s thickness. The throat depth is generally about half the maximum opening size and is determined by the material’s clamping position.
Choose a smaller depth for securing the material’s edge and a larger one for clamping deeper positions.
There are two types of handles for the screws: T-type handles, which leverage the principle of leverage for strong tightening, and screwdriver-like handles for fine-tuning during tightening.
Other variations of F-type clamps include those with rubberized jaw tips to prevent material damage, those with fast screw-tightening speed, and those with thicker arms for handling heavier materials. Select the appropriate F-type clamp based on the nature of the work to be performed.