Clamps

If you have ever had an experience of sanding, cutting, joining, or gluing pieces of wood that constantly slip out of your fingers and just would not let you do the job right, you will understand how useful a clamp might be. Not widespread as a household tool, a clamp is however irreplaceable for woodworking, furniture making, and hobby projects. No other tool will be of better assistance when it comes to securing your workpiece in a proper position.

A clamp is a versatile fastening device that temporarily holds two objects together or keeps one object in a required position. The clamp can immobilize the workpiece by means of applying inward pressure to its outer sides. If the clamp you are using is positioned in a proper way, whatever actions you may be performing with the secured object, it is sure to stay fixed. Hammering, sawing, chopping - with the help of a clamp all these jobs can be tackled safely and without having to ask anyone else for assistance. That is how the right clamp can serve you as another set of hands that holds the workpiece stationary.

Although basically performing the same function of preventing the movement of the object you are working on, there is a variety of clamps available on the market. The most widespread type is a so-called C-clamp. Deriving its name from a C-shaped body, this type of fastening tool has a fixed jaw on one end and a screw-type jaw on the other. Tightening the screw closes the clamp, applying pressure on the object placed between the jaws. A C-clamp is commonly used in carpentry for securing up to 8” thick pieces of wood or metal to the workbench. Normally made from cast iron or steel, C-Clamps are highly durable tools.

Another handy type is a so-called F-clamp or bar clamp. Featuring a long bar with one jaw fixed at one end and the other jaw moving along the bar, the F-clamp allows the user to efficiently adjust the right pressure and capacity. Although serving the same function as the C-clamp, the bar clamp is designed for much larger objects. Measuring up to 5 ft. in length, F-clamps have a wider opening capacity. One-handed bar clamps have a trigger mechanism attached to the sliding jaw that allows to adjust the moving jaw. Other types of clamps widely used by pros and DIYers, are spring, corner, edge clamps, etc.