May 11, 2010
Stabilize Your Work with Woodworking Clamps
Few people were equipped with extra arms, and even fewer hobbyists can resist the temptation of more toys. Because of these two straightforward truisms, woodworkers shall constantly be looking for specialized clamps. Prior to setting out on the quest for the strangest-looking clamp, though, you need to ensure that your tool chest has all the general needs covered first. You should have three kinds of clamps which will help you through routine woodworking situations; the bar clamp, the C-clamp and the band clamp. Be sure to check out the different Air Compressors & Air Tools.
Bar clamps are probably the most common clamps associated with woodworking. They have an adjustable jaw, a steel bar of varying distances, in addition to a second jaw which can slide along the bar. The second jaw could be attached at a location on the bar, and the adjustable jaw is then adjusted with a hand screw.
Bar clamps are very useful for woodworking thanks to their ability to accommodate wide or narrow projects. Pony brand steel bar clamps are resilient and inexpensive choices for the home woodworker because they are easy to clamp and un-clamp and the multiple-disc clutch will secure the adjustable jaw safely at any point along the bar. Also, be sure not to miss the different Industrial Compressors.
C-clamps could also be quite useful for woodworking, but they are really more common than bar clamps seeing as C-clamps are routinely used by plumbers and metallurgists too. C-clamps are manufactured using a large piece of metal which resembles a “C”, and a flat metal pad attached to the end of a hand screw. Since C-clamps are normally manufactured using cast iron, a woodworker ought to safeguard his projects by attaching pads between the C-clamp and the material surface. Should you decide to invest in a few Irwin Quick-Grip C-clamps, these tools already have over sized swivel pads that prevent marring while also increasing the clamp’s stability.
Band clamps are what woodworkers turn to when rigidclamps won’t work. The most basic type of band clamp is a very long piece of polyester or cotton webbing that has been connected to a “buckle” with a ratcheting cinch. The strap may be wrapped around the edges of non-standard shapes, threaded through the buckle and snugged down using the cinch. Jorgenson manufactures a nicely made band clamp with a 15 foot band and ratcheting cinch. If you want a band clamp with corner clips for use with picture frames, Merle sells a clamp that includes pivoting jaws in addition to quick release corners.
Clamping and gluing are almost always a required part in any woodworking job, so you may as well have some all-purpose clamps around routinely. Fortunately, you aren’t restricted to the three styles of clamps you just read about, but these three ought to comprise the central group of your naturally expanding collection of woodworking clamps.
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