Ten Types of Clamps and Their Best Uses

Clamps are essential tools designed to temporarily secure workpieces in place in woodworking, metalworking, and various construction tasks.

With a wide range of clamps available, each type serves a unique purpose, making it crucial to understand their specific applications and benefits. There are many different types of clamps out there to choose from, so this article will cover ten of the most common ones. We will explore ten common types of clamps, offering insight into their key features, applications, and advantages.

Types of Clamps	Key Features
Pipe clamp	Hold pipes and hoses securely in place.
Bar Clamp	Expanded or contracted to accommodate different sizes of workpieces.
Spring or Pinch Clamps	Use two jaws to secure a material firmly in place.
Corner or Band Clamp	Adjust straps or bands to apply pressure on all sides of workpiece.
F Clamp	A long bar with a sliding jaw adjusting to apply pressure; more compact and lightweight.
Ratcheting Hand Clamp	Operate with a trigger; rapid adjustments and easy release.
Bench Clamp	A stable clamping platform for holding materials in place; with a fixed jaw and a movable jaw.
Wooden Hand-Screw Clamp	Independently adjusted jaws; apply pressure at different angles.
Strap Clamp	Hold and secure large or irregularly shaped objects together.
Parallel Clamp	Ensure pressure across the entire surface of the workpiece.

 

What is a Clamp?

Clamps are indispensable tools designed to temporarily secure workpieces in place across various applications such as carpentry, woodworking, furniture assembly, welding, construction, and metalworking. They are designed to press and hold a workpiece against fixed reference surfaces, effectively countering any forces that might otherwise displace it, ensuring precision and stability during operations like gluing, cutting, or assembly.

The basic principle of clamping involves pressing a workpiece against carefully positioned locating surfaces and holding it firmly in place despite any forces acting upon it. This action, referred to as "clamping," is facilitated by specialized mechanisms known as clamps.

Types of Clamps

This section explores the diverse range of clamp types, highlighting their unique features, applications, and the advantages they offer. The types of clamps we will explore include the Pipe Clamp, Bar Clamp, Spring or Pinch Clamp, Corner or Band Clamp, F-Clamp, Ratcheting Hand Clamp, Bench Clamp, Wooden Hand-Screw Clamp, Strap Clamp, and Parallel Clamp. Each of these tools offers distinct advantages, whether it’s for holding large sections of pipe, securing delicate materials, or ensuring perfect right angles.

Pipe clamp

A pipe clamp is a specialized tool designed to hold pipes and hoses securely in place. It typically consists of two heads attached to a length of threaded pipe. One of these heads is fixed to the pipe by screwing it onto standard pipe threads, which includes a mechanism for tightening. The other head is adjustable and slides along the length of the pipe, allowing for flexibility in clamping various sizes and configurations.

Pipe clamps are highly versatile and are often used in woodworking, plumbing, and cabinet-making due to their robustness and reliability. These clamps consist of a metal bar or pipe that runs parallel to the object being clamped, with adjustable jaws on either end, allowing them to accommodate various lengths of materials can can be tightened to grip the surface.

Use: This type of clamp is ideal for large projects like gluing boards together or holding wide panels. It is commonly used in furniture making and cabinetry.
Advantages: It can be adjusted to nearly any size by altering the length of the pipe. They provide a strong clamping force, making them ideal for heavy-duty tasks.

Bar Clamp

Bar clamps, also known as C-clamps or G-clamps, are similar to pipe clamps but use a metal bar instead of a pipe. They have a long, rigid bar with adjustable arms that can be easily expanded or contracted to accommodate different sizes of workpieces.

Use: Bar clamps are widely used in woodworking, especially for holding large or irregularly shaped workpieces together. They are also useful for assembling furniture and frames.

Advantages: Deliver even pressure across the entire length of the workpiece. They come in a range of sizes to accommodate different projects.

Spring or Pinch Clamps

Spring clamps, also known as pinch clamps, are lightweight, handheld clamps that operate with a spring-loaded mechanism to grip the desired object, functioning similarly to a clip. They are easy to use and apply quick pressure with a simple squeeze.

It applies clamping pressure through the use of a metal spring, which keeps the two jaws tightly pressed together. These jaws grip both sides of a material, securing it firmly in place. Spring clamps come in various sizes, ranging from small, 2-inch models suitable for delicate tasks, to larger, 9-inch versions that provide stronger clamping power for more demanding applications.

Use: Spring clamps are ideal for temporarily holding lightweight materials together. They are commonly used in crafts, model making, general household repairs, and light-duty woodworking projects.

Advantages: Easily operated with one hand for quick and efficient use, requires minimal setup. Lightweight and portable, making them ideal for small, quick, and temporary tasks.

Corner or Band Clamp

Corner clamps, sometimes called band clamps, are designed to hold corners and joints at right angles, typically at a 90-degree angle. They typically feature adjustable straps or bands that wrap around the workpiece, applying even pressure on all sides.

Use: Corner clamps are crucial for assembling picture frames, cabinets, and other projects that require precise 90-degree angles. They are particularly useful in framing and mitering tasks.

Advantages: Provides uniform and consistent pressure evenly around the workpiece. Ensures accurate alignment of corners and joints.

F Clamp

F-clamps, named for their “F” shape, feature a long bar with a sliding jaw that can be adjusted to apply pressure. The design is similar to that of a bar clamp but generally offers a more compact and lightweight option.

Use: F-clamps are perfect for general woodworking, metalworking, and DIY projects. They are frequently used to hold components together during gluing or assembly.

Advantages: Provides robust clamping force in a compact design. Easy to adjust and operate with one hand.

Ratcheting Hand Clamp

Ratcheting hand clamps are quick-action clamps that use a ratcheting mechanism to apply and maintain clamping pressure. They are typically operated with a trigger, allowing for rapid adjustments and easy release.

Use: Ratcheting hand clamps are well-suited for quick and repetitive clamping tasks. They are commonly employed in woodworking, crafts, and home repairs.

Advantages: Quick and easy to adjust with a single hand. Provides steady pressure with minimal effort.

Bench Clamp

Bench clamps, also known as bench vises, are stationary clamps mounted on a workbench or other sturdy surface, providing a stable clamping platform for holding materials in place. They typically feature a fixed jaw and a movable jaw that can be adjusted to hold workpieces securely.

Use: Bench clamps are crucial for heavy-duty tasks such as sawing, drilling, and sanding. They are frequently used in workshops to securely hold materials during machining.

Advantages: Offers a stable and secure hold for a range of tasks. Ideal for use with larger or heavier workpieces.

Wooden Hand-Screw Clamp

Wooden hand-screw clamps are a traditional type of clamp that have two identical wooden jaws connected by two opposing threaded screws. The jaws can be adjusted independently to apply pressure at different angles, making them highly versatile.

Use: Wooden hand-screw clamps are perfect for woodworking projects that need gentle yet firm pressure. They are often used in furniture making and joinery.

Advantages: The wooden jaws prevent marring or damaging the workpiece. Provides even pressure across a wide area.

Strap Clamp

Strap clamps, also known as web clamps, use a flexible strap to hold and secure large or irregularly shaped objects together. The strap can be tightened around the workpiece using a ratcheting mechanism or buckle.

Use: Strap clamps are excellent for securing round, oval, or irregularly shaped objects. They are frequently used in woodworking, metalworking, and various craft projects.

Advantages: Adjusts to accommodate various shapes and sizes. Distributes pressure evenly around the workpiece.

Parallel Clamp

Parallel clamps, also called plate clamps, are a type of clamp that maintains a parallel clamping surface throughout the entire clamping range. These clamps feature jaws that remain parallel when tightened, ensuring even pressure across the entire surface of the workpiece. They are often used in woodworking for tasks that require precision.

Use: Parallel clamps are perfect for securing panels, doors, and other flat surfaces. They are often used in cabinetry and furniture making.

Advantages: Provides uniform pressure across large surfaces. Ensures precise alignment and prevents warping.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, each type of clamp serves a unique purpose and is designed to tackle specific challenges in woodworking, metalworking, and other crafts. Understanding the differences between these clamps will help you choose the right clamp for your task at hand, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and safety. Whether you're gluing panels together, assembling furniture, or securing delicate materials, there's a clamp designed to meet your needs.

Findbuytool supplies high-quality clamps for your woodworking, as an essential tool that can help you fasten wood during cutting, routing, sanding, etc. Our store can provide you with all kinds of clamps you need for your projects.