Purpose and Types of WoodWorking Clamps

There are many reasons why a woodworker needs a pair of clamps in the workshop. Clamps will help you keep a wooden block in place while relief carving, whittling, engraving, or wood-burning. Wood clamps are an important tool when you are painting and staining wood, they will keep your work still and allow you more control over each project.

However, clamps are most commonly used to hold the wood pieces together after gluing. You can adjust the pressure and let the glue dry properly with these little helpers.

Types of Clamps for WoodWorking

Different woodworkers would say there are up to 40 types of clamps for wood. There are clamps that operate under a screw principle and a clip principle. These two are the most common types, and you will choose between them based on the size of your project that needs to be pressed, and the amount of pressure.

C-clamp

Is a small, c-shaped clamp, also known as a carriage clamp. These clamps are useful when you need to add pressure to multiple points simultaneously, and they are usually really strong. There are further divisions among C-clamps depending on the release and the throat depth, and you will combine several in your project most often.

Spring clamps

Are clip-based clamps, and they can apply solid pressure. They are also small and portable, just like C-clamps, and they will help you hold two pieces of wood together as if you caught them with your fingers. They are very easy to use and quick to release.

Bench Clamp

Is the main kind of clamp when you need to fix your work onto your work desk. They are usually screwed into your desk and you would use these tools in relief carving or decorating a wooden block, but also for painting and polishing your surfaces.

Bar Clamp

Is like a c-clamp, only extended to the length of a bar. Bar clamps can have a deep throat for larger projects, they are lightweight and easy to adapt to your project. Some are also trigger-activated, which makes your work smoother and faster.

With a design similar to a bar clamp, pipe clamps are bigger and stronger, for large woodworking projects. Other clamps are more specific when it comes to the positions they need to be adapted. Here we have corner clamps, miter clamps, and locking clamps, used for specific needs. Quick action clamp is also among them, a small and practical tool for prompt application. Another very specific tool among wood clamps for professional wood carving are strap clamps, which can have large straps to help you hold your work together while transporting it, for example.

FAQs

You might be also interested in:

• Wood Carving with Power Tools
• Wood Carving Chisels
• Drying wood