What Is a Bar Clamp?
A Bar Clamp is a clamp that basically consists of a bar and two jaws, and holds the material between the jaws fixed on one end of the bar and the jaws sliding on the bar.
A clamp, also called a fastener, is a tool used to secure a material to a workbench or other surface.
Bar Clamps, also called quick bar clamps or ratchet bar clamps, are used to clamp a material between the jaws and a lever attached to the sliding jaw, which is operated to squeeze the jaw into position. They can be used with one hand and are quick and easy to use, even for beginners.
Usage of Bar Clamps
Bar Clamps are used in a wide range of applications, from general DIY to professional assembly work in civil engineering and construction, furniture manufacturing, sheet metal, and steel industry. By holding materials firmly in place, they improve the accuracy and efficiency of work.
For example, bar clamps are used in many DIY applications, such as clamping box-shaped boards in woodworking to hold them in place until the glue cures, or clamping flat boards side by side to compress them and aid in gluing them together.
In addition to bar clamps, there are many other types of clamps, including C-type, G-type, L-type, and spring-type clamps.
Each has its own characteristics, but bar clamps are especially used to secure long (or wide) materials. Although they are slightly less strong than C-type clamps and other screw-type clamps, they are superior in that they can be used with one hand.
Principle of Bar Clamps
Bar Clamps have a fixed jaw at the end of one bar, and the sliding jaw on the bar is moved to secure the material. Most ratchet bar clamps apply pressure by squeezing a lever on the sliding jaw multiple times, but there are also types that tighten screws by turning a handle or by knocking down a lever.
In ratchet bar clamps, the jaws are slid by pressing the unlock button to clamp the material, and the lever is squeezed several times to apply pressure to hold it in place. When removing the clamp, the pressure can be released at once by pressing the unlock button again.
Bar Clamp Features
Ratchet bar clamps are easy to handle, even for beginners, because materials can be clamped with one hand. If you have several of them, you can work efficiently even when working alone.
Bar Clamps can be used in the usual way of clamping materials by clamping them between the jaws and applying force inward.
Conversely, bar clamps can also be used for attaching to a bar with two jaws facing outward and applying force in the direction of pushing and spreading to secure the material.
How to Select a Bar Clamp
To select a bar clamp, check whether the maximum clamping force, maximum opening size, and material are suitable for the material to be processed.
1. Maximum Opening Size
Select the maximum opening size that corresponds to the length and width dimensions of the material to be processed. For long or wide materials, use the one with a long lever and a large opening.
The thickness of the material to be processed should also be taken into consideration when fixing it to the workbench or when using it against the material to be processed. Selecting a lever with a protective cap such as rubber on the jaws has the advantage of not leaving marks and preventing slipping, but it is slightly inferior in terms of durability of the material.
Also, if the gripping area is shallow, the clamp may not be able to grip the material to be processed, depending on the width and thickness of the material.
2. Material
There are two main types of clamp materials: plastic and metal. Plastic is used for clamps with relatively low clamping force, while die-cast aluminum is used for clamps with high clamping force. Selection is based on the operating environment and frequency of use.
3. Maximum Tightening Force
Each bar clamp has a maximum clamping force, which is indicated in the catalog. It is important to use bar clamps within the range of this maximum tightening force.