Greenlawnracing
Well-known member
I'm new to woodworking, and need to start a clamp collection.
Suggestions on where to build it up/look for sales/etc?
Suggestions on where to build it up/look for sales/etc?
Looking for wood clamps
- Thread starter Greenlawnracing
- Start date
nbpt100
Well-known member
I have some Irwin clamps that I like. They have rubber feet so they grip good and do not mar soft material like wood. Many good choices out there. Stay away from the cheaper HF Pitts clamps. I got some years ago and they broke way too easily. I have use the Irwin hard and they still perform as they should.
If you are gluing smaller stuff togeaher sometime spring clamps are better becasue they keep a constant force.
If you are gluing smaller stuff togeaher sometime spring clamps are better becasue they keep a constant force.
snickers muncher
Well-known member
I've been pleased with the offerings I've gotten from Harbor Freight. The aluminum bar clamps will twist if you really need to crank down on something, so a lot of people will cut of a scrap of wood to fit inside it to shore it up. They're much easier to use than pipe clamps. I've glued up quite a few tops with them.
The f clamps are cheap but work well and the hand screws come in really handy.
The f clamps are cheap but work well and the hand screws come in really handy.
Dagny
Well-known member
besse
Toolfool
Well-known member
I'm partial to the Jorgensen clamps. Over the years I have watched for sales and never paid full retail for any of mine.
snickers muncher
Well-known member
These are the ones I mentioned above. They're good for getting started on a budget.
www.harborfreight.com
www.harborfreight.com
www.harborfreight.com
The Irwin quick clamps are tough and handy, but keep in mind that they will not clamp straight down. They clamp at an angle.
36 in. Aluminum Bar Clamp
Amazing deals on this 36In Aluminum Bar Clamp at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
12 in. Quick Release Bar Clamp
Amazing deals on this 12In Quick Release Bar Clamp at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
12 in. Handscrew Wood Clamp
Amazing deals on this 12In Handscrew Clamp at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
The Irwin quick clamps are tough and handy, but keep in mind that they will not clamp straight down. They clamp at an angle.
Parallel clamps are the most expensive, but necessary IMO.
I'm not typically a Harbor Freight customer, but I might try out their new parallel clamps. They have reviewed very well, and cost significantly less than the typical name brands:
I'm not typically a Harbor Freight customer, but I might try out their new parallel clamps. They have reviewed very well, and cost significantly less than the typical name brands:
OP
Greenlawnracing
Well-known member
Where do you typically find the sales?I'm partial to the Jorgensen clamps. Over the years I have watched for sales and never paid full retail for any of mine.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have a bucket full of 6" harbor freight f clamps. They are nothing amazing, but are plenty good and the price is great
Toolfool
Well-known member
Amazon, all of the online tool catalogs (get on emailing lists), ....
LeonardY
Well-known member
It used to be that standard bar clamps were the least expensive. But black pipe isn't cheap any more. If you need long clamps, it still is less expensive than I-beam or parallel clamps.
Keep you eye out during black Friday specials. BTW. There are now two times a year that retailers do Black Friday. Get on email lists for companies that sell clamps. Know your prices. Be willing to buy when the price is right.
Swap meets are also a good place to find clamps.
I have no brand loyalty. I try to buy the best I can. And I always try to buy four or six at a time.
Here's part of my collection. This took years to acquire.
gleman
Well-known member
If you can get black pipe cheap, Harbor Freight sells the clamps for about half the price. They've worked well enough for me.
I also like the Bessy f-styles too, thats usually a black Friday item too.
I also like the Bessy f-styles too, thats usually a black Friday item too.
OP
Greenlawnracing
Well-known member
Forgive my ignorance. The only two clamps that I own this far are the ones that came with this workbench. You simply pull the trigger to tighten them, am I looking at the pictures of most of the suggested, clamps properly, and interpreting that you manually twist to tighten?
nbpt100
Well-known member
The table you have reminds me of the B&D workmate. It is a ratchet style clamp. The Irwins I mentioned are ratchet style and are 12" and under. They are usually shorter in length. Like under 24". The benefit is you can tighten them with one hand and they adjust fast. The screw type are better for long spans and you can get more clamping force with them. You really need two hands to put them on. I have those style too but hardly every use them. It depends what you are doing. Over time you will probably want to have both types.
Just stay away from cheap ones. I am sure you will find some good deals. The better ones at HF are getting good reviews and folks above said like them.
Lots of good choices.
You asked about sales?
You can get on the HF website and get their coupons emailed to you. The same with lots of other tool sources. They will email you sales and promotions. Good Luck.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yes. The quick clamps that you are referring to are great for light duty clamping. An f clamp will give a lot more clamping force.
I have a bunch of both and they each have their place
I have a mix of clamps. Just last week I redid storage, welding up some brackets to hang them on my ceiling. Used to have them on my wall, but some hardware bin pickups at auction took up that space, so I'd been tripping over the clamps for a a while.
At the high end are the Parallel or K-body clamps. Very pricey. But what they do is clamp things square. With other clamps, the head may rotate out of 90-degrees a bit as you add clamping pressure, or with a long clamp, the bar itself may bow a bit. That's normally not a big deal. But if you want absolute square, the K-body clamps will give you that. I have some, but they are not always my go-to clamp. Here is where K-body clamps shine. I was glueing up a few stacks of drawer faces, they'll be cut into individual drawer faces afterwards. The K-body clamps will square the glue up as they tighten up. Still measure the diagonals. But they are nice. QuickClamps (the far glue up below) are great for one-handed action.
While the K-clamps above are terrific, don't think you have to have them 'because they are the best'.
F-style clamps are the most common. I have them from several makers.
I have a few F-style from HF, they are a bit of a mess. The clamps they are selling nowadays might be better, I bought these several years ago. The clamping pads don't always align, there is slop in the casting allowing the head to shift a bit. They will apply clamping pressure, but it may not be precise and they might slip. You can pick through the racks to get the better looking ones. But they can become sloppy over time:
Jorgensen makes a couple styles of F-clamps with different clamping forces. I think 300, 600, and 1000lbs. More robust than the HF clamp shown above, but you pay for that quality. But you'll ony pay once as they'll be keeper clamps, no future upgrade required.
Longer clamps...
I started with Pipe clamps. Buy the clamp and provide your own black pipe bar. The nice thing? The clamps thread on to each end of the bar, so you could just have 4 clamp heads and then a bunch of black pipe in various lengths. Need 10' clamps? Go get some 10' lengths of black pipe and you have them. The next day need 48" clamps? Swap the heads onto the shorter lengths of pipe and you have them. Pipe clamps are a good generic entry to clamping. When gluing up a wide table top for example, alternate them on top and below the clamped material. The bowing tendency of the clamps on bottom will be offset by the clamps on top.
These are handy as they are aluminum and lightweight. Just another version of a long pipe/bar clamp:
On the whole avoid the cheap ones. My advise. Now if you're a boat builder and you need 200 clamps simply to apply a clamping force, sure, buy inexpensive.
But to start with, I'd recommend buying mid-range or better F-style clamps, as well as a few QuickClamp style clamps for one-handed ease. The weakness in F-style clamps is the lateral flex in the jaw assembly. If you can shift it laterally, or in the store if you simply close the pads and tighten the clamp and the head flexes so the pads shift and fall out of alignment, you best look elsewhere.
Pipe clamps are an easy way to expand your collection into longer lengths. They work well. I use them often. Doors, cabinetry, etc. While I have some short pipe clamps in the 36" range, I mostly use F-style or K-body for shorter than 48" and pipe/bar clamps for the longer glue-ups.
Start simple. As you use the various clamps in different applications you'll discover their strengths and weaknesses and you can expand or cull your collection as required. You can do a lot with a little.
When clamping, always measure the diagonals of the work to make sure your cabinet door or drawer front is square.
I've bought most of my clamps on sale. Typically black friday types of sales, or box store closeouts, or at auctions. Jorgensen are fine, as are other makes. I have mostly Jorgensen because they were on sale and they're good quality clamps. The Jorgensen store on Amazon runs things on sale about once a month.
Good luck!
Edit to add...one thing you'll note is that most of the parallel or K-body clamps have a removable clip at the tail end of the bar. It allows you to slide the clamp off and reverse it, essentially turning it into a spreader bar instead of the clamp.
At the high end are the Parallel or K-body clamps. Very pricey. But what they do is clamp things square. With other clamps, the head may rotate out of 90-degrees a bit as you add clamping pressure, or with a long clamp, the bar itself may bow a bit. That's normally not a big deal. But if you want absolute square, the K-body clamps will give you that. I have some, but they are not always my go-to clamp. Here is where K-body clamps shine. I was glueing up a few stacks of drawer faces, they'll be cut into individual drawer faces afterwards. The K-body clamps will square the glue up as they tighten up. Still measure the diagonals. But they are nice. QuickClamps (the far glue up below) are great for one-handed action.
While the K-clamps above are terrific, don't think you have to have them 'because they are the best'.
F-style clamps are the most common. I have them from several makers.
I have a few F-style from HF, they are a bit of a mess. The clamps they are selling nowadays might be better, I bought these several years ago. The clamping pads don't always align, there is slop in the casting allowing the head to shift a bit. They will apply clamping pressure, but it may not be precise and they might slip. You can pick through the racks to get the better looking ones. But they can become sloppy over time:
Jorgensen makes a couple styles of F-clamps with different clamping forces. I think 300, 600, and 1000lbs. More robust than the HF clamp shown above, but you pay for that quality. But you'll ony pay once as they'll be keeper clamps, no future upgrade required.
Longer clamps...
I started with Pipe clamps. Buy the clamp and provide your own black pipe bar. The nice thing? The clamps thread on to each end of the bar, so you could just have 4 clamp heads and then a bunch of black pipe in various lengths. Need 10' clamps? Go get some 10' lengths of black pipe and you have them. The next day need 48" clamps? Swap the heads onto the shorter lengths of pipe and you have them. Pipe clamps are a good generic entry to clamping. When gluing up a wide table top for example, alternate them on top and below the clamped material. The bowing tendency of the clamps on bottom will be offset by the clamps on top.
These are handy as they are aluminum and lightweight. Just another version of a long pipe/bar clamp:
On the whole avoid the cheap ones. My advise. Now if you're a boat builder and you need 200 clamps simply to apply a clamping force, sure, buy inexpensive.
But to start with, I'd recommend buying mid-range or better F-style clamps, as well as a few QuickClamp style clamps for one-handed ease. The weakness in F-style clamps is the lateral flex in the jaw assembly. If you can shift it laterally, or in the store if you simply close the pads and tighten the clamp and the head flexes so the pads shift and fall out of alignment, you best look elsewhere.
Pipe clamps are an easy way to expand your collection into longer lengths. They work well. I use them often. Doors, cabinetry, etc. While I have some short pipe clamps in the 36" range, I mostly use F-style or K-body for shorter than 48" and pipe/bar clamps for the longer glue-ups.
Start simple. As you use the various clamps in different applications you'll discover their strengths and weaknesses and you can expand or cull your collection as required. You can do a lot with a little.
When clamping, always measure the diagonals of the work to make sure your cabinet door or drawer front is square.
I've bought most of my clamps on sale. Typically black friday types of sales, or box store closeouts, or at auctions. Jorgensen are fine, as are other makes. I have mostly Jorgensen because they were on sale and they're good quality clamps. The Jorgensen store on Amazon runs things on sale about once a month.
Good luck!
Edit to add...one thing you'll note is that most of the parallel or K-body clamps have a removable clip at the tail end of the bar. It allows you to slide the clamp off and reverse it, essentially turning it into a spreader bar instead of the clamp.
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Meursault74
Well-known member
remember, there's a formula for how many clamps you (S) should have.
S= N+1.
Where N is the number of clamps you have now. See you'll always need one more
I have some Craftsman, some Bessey, Some Jorgensen, Some from HF. It used to be if I had a coupon or a deal popped up I'd pick up a clamp with it if I couldn't think of something else to get at that moment.
Doesn't help you, but I remember Sears used to send me "surprise points" quite often. I remember getting several 24" bar clamps for a buck or so each over the years by just ordering a clamp. Maybe that's part of the reason the store near me closed down.
I haven't bought any in a while though. Hmmmm dang it, the seed is planted again
Maybe do a quick search periodically on your local craigslist to buy a bunch of used ones from a shop closing down or someone retiring.
I've seen those on mine, but not for me at this point.
S= N+1.
Where N is the number of clamps you have now. See you'll always need one more
I have some Craftsman, some Bessey, Some Jorgensen, Some from HF. It used to be if I had a coupon or a deal popped up I'd pick up a clamp with it if I couldn't think of something else to get at that moment.
Doesn't help you, but I remember Sears used to send me "surprise points" quite often. I remember getting several 24" bar clamps for a buck or so each over the years by just ordering a clamp. Maybe that's part of the reason the store near me closed down.
I haven't bought any in a while though. Hmmmm dang it, the seed is planted again
Maybe do a quick search periodically on your local craigslist to buy a bunch of used ones from a shop closing down or someone retiring.
I've seen those on mine, but not for me at this point.
LeeG
Well-known member
Woodworking is kind of a broad term. Your clamping needs will be different if you are building furniture or cabinetry than if you are building jewelry boxes.
I have built a lot of nice projects using nothing larger than 6” Irwin quick clamps. Those and a few pipe clamps were all I had when I started. I now own hundreds of clamps, but don’t let perfect become the enemy of good.
Lee
I have built a lot of nice projects using nothing larger than 6” Irwin quick clamps. Those and a few pipe clamps were all I had when I started. I now own hundreds of clamps, but don’t let perfect become the enemy of good.
Lee
Meursault74
Well-known member
saw this on Ace harware. Sometimes they have deals and if you can combine with a membership reward you can do even better.
It says online deal only $16.99
www.acehardware.com
If you have a local ace, you can order online and pick up at the store.
I don't have any Irwin, so I can't comment if they are better or worse than any others.
It says online deal only $16.99
Irwin Quick-Grip 36 in. X 3-1/8 in. D Heavy Duty Bar Clamp 1200 lb 1 pc Mfr# 223136 - Ace Hardware
The Irwin Quick-Grip 36 inch clutch lock bar clamp is a heavy-duty bar clamp that holds materials in place while you work, for installation and demolition purposes and to provide localized pressure. With its 36-inch opening, the clamp lets you hold and apply pressure to a variety of materials in...
www.acehardware.com
If you have a local ace, you can order online and pick up at the store.
I don't have any Irwin, so I can't comment if they are better or worse than any others.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Huh. It always feels like its n+6 for meremember, there's a formula for how many clamps you (S) should have.
S= N+1.
Where N is the number of clamps you have now. See you'll always need one more
Garcky
Well-known member
And so it begins! Before you know it, you'll have clamps all over the place.
While pipe clamps are sort of a nuisance and heavy, I liked them. But, what I did was buy a bunch of them, and then even more lengths of pipe that were threaded on both ends. So, I didn't need clamps of every length on the planet. I just moved them from one length of pipe to the other. Much cheaper than having individual clamps at different lengths.
Be careful, though. clamp collections can become an addiction.
Meursault74
Well-known member
There's a subtle indefinite nature to the formula N+1. It's a math joke really.
Kind of like the joke where you tell someone that something costs a dollar more than they have when they ask you the price. They'll never be able to buy it from you as the price is always a dollar more than they have.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Oh, I get it. I use that same n+1 thing for guns, bikes, and watches
And the best jokes are the ones that need explaining
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I would highly suggest Dubuque Clamp Works for longer panel clamps.
I got a pair for Christmas a few years ago and have gotten rid of every pipe clamp and every f clamp over 18". They are really nice clamps for the money.
https://toolsforworkingwood.com/store/item/MS-ABAR.**
Their Wood handscrews are really nice as well.
I got a pair for Christmas a few years ago and have gotten rid of every pipe clamp and every f clamp over 18". They are really nice clamps for the money.
https://toolsforworkingwood.com/store/item/MS-ABAR.**
Their Wood handscrews are really nice as well.
OP
Greenlawnracing
Well-known member
Are they still on clearance ? Do you have a link?Lowes had them on clearance, so I picked up a few of the 1000lb F-style clamps. This is exactly how the box looked after delivery. Amazingly nothing was missing or damaged (beyond a couple of paint chips).
Knowing now that these things are a staple in all of your garages, I am surprised that I don’t see more threads when they go on sale
jar944
Well-known member
What are you planning on building/clamping?
OP
Greenlawnracing
Well-known member
Small stuff. My first project was this shelf for my daughter. Probably more stuff like this to see if I get addicted.
I race bicycles and have a lot of time already accounted for, so it’s an hour before I go to bed here and there.
Attachments
Zeke
Well-known member
This. But the clamp(s) you need as each project demands. Just going out and buying clamps not know what you are going to use them for is silly. That having been said, I really use pipe clamps a lot. With threaded pipes at different lengths (never pass up scrap) and some *******, you can make that are pretty long. Longest I've ever needed was about 8' made up with some 3' lengths.
Bar clamps just don't show up in 8' lengths.
I think F clamps lose their rigidity anything over 30".
Handscrews are a must as well. One that you will miss not having some day is a deep reach C clamp. Nothing else but weights can do that job. Clamps are a hot items at sales and people seem to know that. You have to catch a deal now and then if you stay on the hunt.
Skiff Builder
Well-known member
I'll make custom clamps as needs arise. Put a nice chunk of white ash to use on my current boat build.
Other needs have me using rope ( Spanish Windlass), wedges, weights, props off the walls and ceilings
Keep an open mind and improvise when needed.
Attachments
nadogail
Well-known member
You will find that it is impossible to own too many clamps.
acer66
Well-known member
I would buy them like Zeke said on your projects needs.
while keeping an eye out for great deals.
Also keep an open mind and coming up with your own solutions like Skiff Builder said which also helps with developing your skills.
Bessy’s parallel clamps go on a deep sale at Rockler sometime at the end of the year lately.
Pipe clamps have there place and can be often found cheap used.
Here is a video about some tips and tricks with them.
while keeping an eye out for great deals.
Also keep an open mind and coming up with your own solutions like Skiff Builder said which also helps with developing your skills.
Bessy’s parallel clamps go on a deep sale at Rockler sometime at the end of the year lately.
Pipe clamps have there place and can be often found cheap used.
Here is a video about some tips and tricks with them.
alinc100
Well-known member
Dubuque Clamp Works are nice clamps, so are Bessey k body clamps. I prefer the Bessey style of F clamp than the older Jorgensen(the Bessey has a larger,easier to grip handle) F-style clamps over 24'-36" are limited in their abilities. Note: new Jorgensen as picuterd above from Lowes has a different style handle that may be an improvement. Always buy clamps in pairs or greater quantities. Yard sales,estate sales, clearance sales when the big box stores change vendors,etc. Spring clamps,C clamps,Vise Grip clamps,and quick clamps have their places too. As others have said you have to decide what meets your clamping needs.
I'll second Dubuque.
I tried ordering Dubuque clamps from ToolsForWoodworking in Brooklyn maybe 2 years ago, but they were backordered during the supply chain snafu. After a few months Lowes had the sale so I grabbed the Jorgensen aluminum bar clamps from them and cancelled the order from Dubuque. The 6' Jorgensen's were in the busted up box I posted earlier. Thankfully still straight!
From the "You get what you pay for": Dubuque vs Not Dubuque
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That was a while ago. Look on secondary markets like FB Marketplace and CL. Old pipe clamps, the pipe itself may look nasty. Just unthread the clamp head and tail, clean up the pipe, and give the clean metal a light coating of Penetrol then stand the pipes in the corner while the Penetrol dries. The clamp head, clean up the threads if needed and give them a light oiling. Assemble the next day. They're pretty forgiving.
You'll likely find plenty of F-style and quickclamp-types as well.
Cosmetic deficiencies can be cleaned up. Structural ones, take a pass unless you get a super deal and can make the clamp work.
rslaback
Well-known member
If I were you I would start out with good old 3/4" pipe clamps. When you first start out you never have the right clamps. Always too big or two small.
Grab 8 to 10 of the pipe clamp kits and then head to the local home store and have them cut some lengths of pipe from 4 10' long full sticks. Cut each into a 4', 3', 2' and 1'. They should thread the end for you as well. Then pick up a handful of 3/4" pipe couplers. By doing this you can custom make your own lengths if needed by coupling pieces back together.
These aren't as **** as F clamps or parallel clamps but they get most jobs done and get you pretty well fitted for not a ton of money.
Grab 8 to 10 of the pipe clamp kits and then head to the local home store and have them cut some lengths of pipe from 4 10' long full sticks. Cut each into a 4', 3', 2' and 1'. They should thread the end for you as well. Then pick up a handful of 3/4" pipe couplers. By doing this you can custom make your own lengths if needed by coupling pieces back together.
These aren't as **** as F clamps or parallel clamps but they get most jobs done and get you pretty well fitted for not a ton of money.
OP
Greenlawnracing
Well-known member
Snagged two, thanks! Don't know that I need that big, but can likely use them for a few things/went with the "grab when on sale" guidance.saw this on Ace harware. Sometimes they have deals and if you can combine with a membership reward you can do even better.
It says online deal only $16.99
Irwin Quick-Grip 36 in. X 3-1/8 in. D Heavy Duty Bar Clamp 1200 lb 1 pc Mfr# 223136 - Ace Hardware
The Irwin Quick-Grip 36 inch clutch lock bar clamp is a heavy-duty bar clamp that holds materials in place while you work, for installation and demolition purposes and to provide localized pressure. With its 36-inch opening, the clamp lets you hold and apply pressure to a variety of materials in...
If you have a local ace, you can order online and pick up at the store.
I don't have any Irwin, so I can't comment if they are better or worse than any others.
OP
Greenlawnracing
Well-known member
So another elementary question about the quick clamp. These allow me to move both sides of the clamp, not just the "trigger" side. Unless I' missing something, the other clamps mentioned here don't have that ability?
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Can't really think of why you would need both Jaws to move