What Is a Woodworking Clamp?
A woodworking clamp is a tool used for securing wood to a jig or for gluing pieces of wood together.
Clamps are indispensable in woodworking; without them, progress is difficult. Attempting to work on materials without proper support can lead to poor workmanship and even injury.
Using clamps ensures clean and safe work, particularly when operating power tools that often require both hands.
Uses of Woodworking Clamps
Woodworking clamps are primarily used for fastening and gluing wood to jigs. Here are some key applications:
- Clamping materials to the workbench for cutting, grinding, or chamfering.
- When drilling holes, placing a waste board under the material and securing it with clamps prevents gaps and ensures a smooth finish.
- For gluing, use clamps to hold the edges together to prevent slipping until the glue sets.
- When assembling, temporarily secure the clamps using nails, screws, or adhesive bonds.
How to Choose a Woodworking Clamp
There are various types of woodworking clamps, each suited for different applications:
- “Quick bar clamps” are ideal for sawing and assembly work. Also known as “ratchet bar clamps,” they are operated with a handle and lever, easy to handle with one hand, making them suitable for beginners.
- “F-type clamps” are recommended for cutting with power tools like circular saws and for grinder processing. Also known as “sliding clamps,” they feature a screw on the handle for tightening and adjustable mouth width.
- “C-type clamps” are best for crimping small objects or for strong fastening. They provide high clamping force, but the metal part can dent or scratch the material.
- “Corner clamps” are used for holding corners of materials vertically, useful for making box corners and picture frames, especially for materials cut at 45 degrees.
- “Spring clamps,” similar to large clothespins, are used for gluing thin materials. They are also known as “hand clamps” and have a narrow opening.
- “Belt clamps” fasten materials like picture frames in one operation, tightening a square with a belt.
- “Pipe clamps” have fittings attached to a gas pipe, allowing for clamping materials of various widths. They provide strong clamping force, ideal for making large items.