Clamps

Jeff Greef Woodworking
Tool Store
Go to Tool Store Index

Scroll down to see the clamps for sale.

You'll often hear it said that you can never have enough clamps. There are several reasons for this. First of all, in most glue-ups it's best to use a lot of clamps each applying a little pressure rather than just a few each applying much pressure. This helps assure even pressure along the glue area for a good bond. But also, there are numerous different clamp designs each of which is useful in certain situations but not others. So even though you have a pile of handscrews they may be useless when you want to assemble a drawer carcass. But since clamps are not cheap few people can afford to buy a dozen of each type all at once.

So, you need to assemble a collection of different types of clamps without breaking the bank. Here are some strategies:

Make your own- kits are available providing you with the handles and screws to make handscrews. You can also make wooden bar clamps though they are bulky. My book on woodshop jigs and furniture gives instructions, for a description of the book click here.
Borrow- you may need certain clamps for a particular project which you won't ever need again, so why buy them if your pal down the street has them. It pays to know your local woodworking comrades.
Buy only what you need when you need it- the clamps listed below will be delivered to your door fairly quickly, so you can wait until you need them to buy. Read the descriptions carefully so you get the right type of clamp.
Be a yard sale hawk- you'll eventually find various clamps as your neighbors clean their garages.
Buy the right type- there are a lot of new quick-grip type clamps on the market, which work well but are expensive. Get the basics first- they will have the most application over time. The basics are heavy bar clamps (alternatively, pipe clamps), lighter bar clamps, hand screws and C clamps.

CLICK THE PHOTO TO ORDER THE TOOL

Heavy Bar Clamps

Use these to apply a lot of pressure over a long distance, as in gluing up a carcass. Pipe clamps are the less expensive alternative. What you get is the head and tail fixtures, you buy the pipe at any length. 3/4" pipe models are strongest, but 1/2" pipe models will suit most needs. I-bar type are more rigid and apply the most pressure where required as in gluing passage doors.

Jorgensen 50XXX 3/4" Pony Steel Bar Clamp Fixture

Jorgensen 52XXX 1/2" Pony Steel Bar Clamp Fixture

Jorgensen 7236 36" I-Bar Clamp

Jorgensen 7248 48" I-Bar Clamp

Light Duty Bar Clamps

These apply light pressure over a long distance and have deeper jaws than heavy bar clamps to reach farther perpendicular from the bar. The longer ones obviously are more versatile but somtimes that long bar gets it the way. It's handy to have a few shorties around.

Jorgensen 3712 12" Steel Bar Clamp

Jorgensen 3718 18" Steel Bar Clamp

Jorgensen 3724A 24" Steel Bar Clamp

Jorgensen 3736 36" Steel Bar Clamp

Handscrews

These apply light pressure over a short distance, and have deep jaws for reaching in farther than steel C-clamps will. You'll use these in numerous glue-up situations such laminating as well as for clamping fences to machines etc. As with other clamps, having a variety of sizes is most useful.

Jorgensen 0HSJ Size 0 Hand Screw Clamp
8 inch screw
4-1/2 inch max opening

Jorgensen 1HSJ Size 1 Hand Screw Clamp
10 inch screw
6 inch max opening

Jorgensen 3HSJ Size 3 Hand Screw Clamp
14 inch screw
10 inch max opening

Jorgensen 4HSJ Size 4 Hand Screw Clamp
16 inch screw
12 inch max opening

C-Clamps

Use these to apply a lot of pressure over a short distance.

1420-C 2" Adjustable C-Clamp
2-inch opening with 1-inch depth capacity and full closing screw

1430-C 3" Adjustable C-Clamp
3-inch opening with 2-inch depth capacity and full closing screw

Olympia 6" Adjustable C-Clamp
6-inch opening with full closing screw

Specialty Clamps

Here's a few of my favorite special clamps that I've found useful.

Toggle Clamps- very handy for jigs, like a table saw tenoning jig, where you need to clamp parts into the jig.