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Woodworking Clamps: Getting a Grip

Few people were born with extra arms, and even fewer of us can ignore the enticement of extra toys. Due to these two universal maxims, woodworkers shall always be in search of new and different clamps. Prior to setting out on the search for the one of a kind clamp, though, you need to be certain your clamp collection has all the general needs covered first. You’ll find three kinds of clamps that can assist you in routine woodworking jobs; the bar clamp, the C-clamp and the band clamp. Be sure to check out the different Air Compressors & Air Tools.

Bar clamps are possibly the most familiar clamps associated with woodworking. They include an adjustable jaw, a metal bar of different lengths, in addition to a second jaw meant to move along the bar. The second jaw could be attached at a point along the bar, and the adjustable jaw may be tightened with a hand screw.

These clamps are very convenient for woodworking because of their ability to accommodate various sized projects. Pony brand steel bar clamps are durable and inexpensive products for the amateur woodworker seeing as they are quick to clamp and un-clamp and the multiple-disc clutch will hold the adjustable jaw safely at any place along the bar. Another must see is the different Industrial Compressors.

C-clamps can also be quite useful for woodworking, but they are really more popular than bar clamps for the reason that C-clamps are routinely used by plumbers and metallurgists too. These tools are manufactured from a single piece of metal which resembles a “C”, and a movable metal pad attached to the end of a hand screw. Seeing as C-clamps are routinely manufactured from cast iron, a woodworker must protect his stock by placing pads between the metal jaws and the material surface. Should you ever plan to get some Irwin Quick-Grip C-clamps, these models already have over sized swivel pads that decrease marring while simultaneously increasing the clamp’s stability.

Band clamps are tools that woodworkers depend on when bar or C-clamps will not work. The essential form of band clamp is an extremely long piece of polyester or cotton webbing normally connected to a “buckle” with a ratcheting cinch. The strap can be wrapped around the edges of irregular shapes, secured through the buckle and pulled tight with the cinch. Jorgenson makes a very basic band clamp that includes a 15 foot band and ratcheting cinch. If you prefer something with corner clips for clamping picture frames, Merle makes a clamp that includes pivoting jaws in addition to quick release corners.

Clamping and gluing are nearly always a required part in any woodworking job, so you may as well have some basic clamps on hand routinely. Naturally, a woodworker isn’t confined to the three types of clamps above, but these three need to comprise the hub of your quickly increasing selection of woodworking clamps.