Introduction
If you’re new to woodworking, you may not realize just how important clamps are. Clamps hold your workpiece in place, keeping it secure as you cut, sand, or plane. Without them, your workpiece may slip, causing mistakes or even injury. In this blog post, we’ll discuss 10 good woodworking clamps every beginner should have.
1. Bar Clamps
Bar clamps are the most versatile of all clamps. They’re perfect for holding large workpieces, and they can be adjusted to fit a variety of sizes. Bar clamps come in many sizes, from 6 inches to 50 inches or more. They’re also available in various throat depths, which is the distance from the bar to the bottom of the clamp.
2. Pipe Clamps
Pipe clamps work like bar clamps, but they use a threaded pipe instead of a bar. This makes them more affordable and easier to customize, as you can use any length of pipe you like. Pipe clamps are also available in different lengths and thicknesses.
3. Spring Clamps
Spring clamps are small but mighty. They’re perfect for holding small workpieces or pieces that need to be held temporarily. They’re also great for holding glue joints in place as the glue dries. Spring clamps are affordable and come in various sizes.
4. C-Clamps
C-clamps are a common clamp found in most workshops. They’re perfect for holding workpieces together while gluing or as a third hand when you’re sawing or routing. C-clamps come in various sizes, from mini to industrial sizes.
5. Bench Clamps
Bench clamps are designed to be mounted on a workbench. They’re perfect for holding workpieces in place while you’re working on them. Bench clamps come in various sizes and shapes.
6. Hand Screw Clamps
Hand screw clamps are a traditional clamp that are still useful today. They’re perfect for holding odd-shaped workpieces or for applying pressure in hard-to-reach areas. Hand screw clamps come in various sizes.
7. Parallel Jaw Clamps
Parallel jaw clamps have jaws that remain parallel as you tighten them, ensuring even pressure across the workpiece. They’re perfect for gluing boards together or holding them in place while you’re jointing or planing them. Parallel jaw clamps come in various sizes.
8. Toggle Clamps
Toggle clamps are perfect for holding jigs, fixtures, or other workpieces that need to be held in place quickly and easily. They’re easy to use and can be used one-handed. Toggle clamps come in various sizes and shapes.
9. Miter Clamps
Miter clamps are perfect for holding mitered corners together while you’re gluing or nailing them. They’re easy to use and provide even pressure. Miter clamps come in various sizes.
10. Band Clamps
Band clamps are perfect for clamping irregularly shaped workpieces, such as picture frames or barrel staves. They’re easy to use and provide even pressure. Band clamps come in various lengths and thicknesses.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different types of clamps available for woodworking. We hope this list has given you an idea of what clamps you’ll need as a beginner. Start with a few basic clamps, such as bar clamps and C-clamps, and slowly build up your collection as you take on more advanced projects. With the right clamps, you can tackle any woodworking project with confidence and ease.