A Full Guide to the Best Woodworking Clamps in 2023

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Whether you’re building picture frames, adding a new cabinet, or gluing materials, you need a suitable woodworking clamp for the job. Woodworkers often use clamps for various tasks around the shop when they need another pair of hands. Depending on the use, the best clamp for the project could be one of several different varieties.

There are plenty of choices on the market for woodworking clamps, so picking a suitable model is crucial. That way, you can create something for a customer or have what you need for your hobby. Whenever you need some help, the choice of the clamp is crucial. Here are the top options that you can get online or in any store:

Best Woodworking Clamps of 2023

10Expert Score
Quick-adjust design

The non-marring clamp heads make sure that you don’t scuff the material or damage it.

Micro-adjustment
9.5
Clamping pressure
9
WEN 10236F2 Quick-adjust 36-inch Steel Bar Clamp1

This versatile set of clamps from WEN is ideal for various woodworking and household projects. The non-marring clamp heads make sure that you don’t scuff the material or damage it. Plus, it offers 600 PSI of clamping pressure.

You’re sure to appreciate that the bar clamp has a steel rail of 36 inches in length with a throat depth of 2.5 inches. Therefore, the WEN bar clamp is big enough to tackle any woodworking job you might have.

Most clamps are made of steel, and this bar clamp model is no different. Plus, it can hold its weight under pressure. It’s also easy to use because you screw it to the product you have.

WorkPro 16-piece Nylon Spring Clamp Set

Strength
It features a nylon construction, so you don’t have to oil the metal components. However, these clamps might not last as long as a steel model.
9.5Expert Score
Ergonomic handle for comfortable grip

There are durable pads to protect the project’s finish while ensuring that the materials stay in a place where you need them.

Study
9.5
Long-lasting hold
9
WorkPro 16-piece Nylon Spring Clamp Set

The WorkPro package offers 16 clamps ranging in size from 1 3/8 to 2 1/4 inches. It features a nylon construction, so you don’t have to oil the metal components. However, these clamps might not last as long as a steel model.

Still, there are durable pads to protect the project’s finish while ensuring that the materials stay in a place where you need them.

There’s also a spring mechanism in these clamps that creates longer-lasting pressure. You’re sure to appreciate the ergonomic grips for the hands, and the product can handle any needs you might have.

9Expert Score
Reliability and Durability

These spring clamps offer many jaw sizes from 3/4 to 1 inch.

Compact design
9
High toughness
8.5
WorkPro 20-piece Steel Spring Clamp Set

This 20-piece set of clamps from WorkPro features steel springs and handles light clamping jobs. The tips and handles are coated in PVC to prevent slippage, and the steel construction offers reliability and durability.

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These spring clamps offer many jaw sizes from 3/4 to 1 inch. Plus, the tempered steel springs ensure that your clamp applies pressure steadily. Ultimately, this clamp model is perfect for projects that don’t require significant gaps. However, it might not be ideal for edge gluing and heavy-duty applications.

You’re sure to appreciate the zinc coating on this clamp set. It prevents rusting and corrosion, so the clamps are durable. Still, proper storage and regular oiling go a long way to ensure that you get the most from the pieces.

Housolution Single Handle Right Angle Clamp

High Quality
It is constructed of durable aluminum alloy materials, so it accommodates thicknesses of 2.68 inches. The swing-jaw design of the clamp lets you single-handedly make adjustments for your projects.
9Expert Score
Durable right angle clamp

The swing-jaw design of the clamp lets you single-handedly make adjustments for your projects.

Great Performance
9.5
Easy adjustments
9
Housolution Single Handle Right Angle Clamp

The Housolution corner clamp is made exclusively for creating the right angles. It is constructed of durable aluminum alloy materials, so it accommodates thicknesses of 2.68 inches. The swing-jaw design of the clamp lets you single-handedly make adjustments for your projects.

This clamp is for those who need to make right angles and can’t function for other requirements outside of that category. The model works well for carpenters who need the right pressure, but you may need other clamps, too.

Bessey BPC-H34 3/4-inch H-style Pipe Clamp

Durability
The legs provide more height so you can clear the materials when turning your handle. Each clutch plate is coated with zinc, which prevents wear and tear. With that, the spindle features black oxide to reduce corrosion and have a smooth operation.
8.5Expert Score
Dual-Axis Stability

There are soft jaw caps with the clamp to prevent you from marring the surface of your work.

Stability
9.5
Smooth action
9
Bessey BPC-H34 3-4-inch H-style Pipe Clamp

With the H-shaped assembly, you’re sure to appreciate the Bessey model. The pipe clamps offer a more stable platform to rest the project, making it a sort of holding area.

The legs provide more height so you can clear the materials when turning your handle. With that, there are soft jaw caps with the clamp to prevent you from marring the surface of your work.

You’re sure to appreciate the solid construction. Each clutch plate is coated with zinc, which prevents wear and tear. With that, the spindle features black oxide to reduce corrosion and have a smooth operation. Most other pipe clamp options don’t include the pipe, but this one does, as long as it has a 3/4-inch length.

8.5Expert Score
Powder coat finish

The powder-coated finish of the model reduces wear and corrosion.

Study
9.5
Easy adjustments
8.5
Yost Tools F124 24-inch F-Clamp

Yost Tools offers a medium-duty F-clamp that strikes a balance between delicacy and power. The swiveling jaw pads and plastic coverings protect the finish of your projects. With that, the powder-coated finish of the model reduces wear and corrosion. If that weren’t enough, the comfort-grip handles are easy on the hands than the similar clamps made of wood.

Its throat depth is 2.5 inches, which is enough for most jobs. Plus, the clamp head uses a 5-plate clutch system to slide smoothly on the steel rail. You’re sure to find that this is long enough for most of the work you encounter in your shop, though it might not produce as much pressure as some.

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Irwin Quick-Grip C Clamps

Best Budget
With this C-clamp, you get swivel pads to accommodate all types of angles. Plus, the larger handle ensures that you put on more pressure with little effort. On top of that, the steel construction means it’s a durable model.
8Expert Score
Faster clamping and increased durability

The larger handle ensures that you put on more pressure with little effort.

design
9.5
strength
9
Irwin Quick-Grip C Clamps

C-clamps are the most common clamp option for two reasons: Their simple design makes them easy to use and maintain, and they work in almost any situation.

With this C-clamp, you get swivel pads to accommodate all types of angles. Plus, the larger handle ensures that you put on more pressure with little effort. On top of that, the steel construction means it’s a durable model.

You’re sure to appreciate that the 6-inch clamp offers a 3.5-inch throat. Plus, it provides a clamping power of 1,000 pounds, making it suitable for any application.

Ultimately, the Irwin clamp is versatile and strong, but it’s limited in adjustments by design.

Bessey KT5-1CP Single Spindle Edge Clamp

High impact
You can use it for a bar clamp, and the single spindle fastens to a bar clamp of under 1/2-inch thick. . Therefore, you get three dimensions of clamping without the use of a specialty edge clamp.
7.5Expert Score
Awesome

It also has a wide throat depth for the model, and the nonslip locking system prevents your materials from slipping on all three sides.

flexibility
9
fast and easy
8.5

The KT5-1CP from Bessey is interesting in that it isn’t a clamp but turns your clamps into an edge clamp. You can use it for a bar clamp, and the single spindle fastens to a bar clamp of under 1/2-inch thick. Therefore, you get three dimensions of clamping without the use of a specialty edge clamp.

Bessey KT5-1CP Single Spindle Edge Clamp

It also has a wide throat depth for the model, and the nonslip locking system prevents your materials from slipping on all three sides. You can work well with these types of clamps. Plus, the clamp pads are great for holding delicate pieces of wood together.

Types of Clamp Items

Clamps come in various styles and sizes. They are all designed to apply pressure and hold materials in place, but they don’t create the pressure the same way.

Most of them rely on springs to generate the pressure or might use hand-turned rods. With so many woodworking clamp products out there, it’s important to know the differences between your projects.

Spring Clamp

Spring clamps are often called hand or pinch clamps. They’re simple and strong. They get their power from spring to hold the jaws tightly closed. Often, these clamps are used for projects that other heavy-duty clamps aren’t suitable for.

Corner Clamp

Corner clamps work to apply pressure through steel, threaded, and sliding pins. You turn the handle, tightening down the clamp and holding your project in place. With that, you can operate them by hand or fasten them to a workbench.

Typically, they’re used for right angles, such as when building picture frames. These clamps can also fasten miter joint pieces together.

Pipe Clamp

Pipe clamps are inexpensive and strong clamps used for cabinetry, edge gluing, holding pipes in place, and fixing leaks. They’re typically sold as a pair of clamp heads.

The user slides the pipe through a hole in a stationary clamp, inserting the pipe into the moving clamp head. This employs a clutch system to adjust the length. One convenience of a pipe clamp is its ability to be the length you require. If you need to clamp a larger material, use a bigger pipe.

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F-Clamp

Similar to a pipe clamp, the F-clamp is a type of bar clamp and employs an adjustable sliding clamp head. However, unlike pipe clamps, bar clamps can accommodate projects that are 4 to 48 inches long.

F-clamps do lack the adjustability that pipe clamps offer because they’re limited by the perpendicular bar. Still, bar clamps could include a quick-release option. With that, they could have holes in them to add pins. The F-clamp is often used for heavy-duty projects that a bar clamp might not handle efficiently.

C-Clamp

C-clamps are the most popular woodworking clamp. A c-clamp is made of cast iron or forged steel. With that, a C-clamp is strong, portable, and simple to use. The right clamp set has many sizes.

Buyer’s Guide

While shopping for clamps, you need to know how you plan to use them. Therefore, here’s what to consider for woodworking clamps:

Clamping Power

When using clamps for a woodworking project, less could be more. If you exert too much pressure, it could lead to a bad glue job or damage the clamp. One glue manufacturer might recommend 100 to 150 force (PSI) when working with softwood.

F-clamps, C-clamps, and pipe clamps exert pressures of 400 to 2,000 PSI, though spring clamps have a lot less.

Size

Woodworking clamps vary for how much material can be accommodated. Their size is measured by the capacity of the jaws or throat depth. You may need a bigger clamp (F-clamp) when edge gluing a table than if you’re building a birdhouse.

Maneuverability

A C-clamp could fit in your pocket, but pipe clamps or an F-clamp could be many feet long or weigh a lot. You may need to move the clamps to use them effortlessly or store them, so this is a concern.

Protection

These products are made using various materials. Just as with any tool, you must choose clamps made of the best materials and maintain them to ensure they have a long lifespan.

Keeping the clamp dry and clean goes a long way to getting the most usage. Remove glue, moisture, and anything else when you’re finished with the product.

Conclusion

Woodworkers everywhere know that they need the best woodworking clamps. A customer requesting certain projects might not understand all of that because they only care about the finished products. It’s your job to sort through the many woodworking clamps and get the right model.

Any of the options listed here are great, and you may need two or three different sets to get the job done right. Remember, things like C-clamps are only used for specific purposes. Don’t be afraid to buy different products to get the best clamps for every task!

Why trust Handyman.Guide?

s written by Itamar Ben-Dor, who has 25 years of experience in renovations, carpentry, locks, creation, landscaping, painting, furniture construction, and furniture renovation, works with concrete, plumbing, door repair, and more.

Itamar Ben-Dor has been in the home improvement business for over 25 years. Itamar Ben-Dor is a jack of all trades. He's worked in the renovation field for years, doing everything from locksmithing to carpentry. He's a small repairs specialist. But his true passion lies in furniture construction and renovation - he loves seeing old pieces come back to life with some new woodwork or a fresh coat of paint.

He has taken courses on many topics in these fields at professional colleges in Israel. Over the years, Itamar has also become quite skilled in gardening, carpentry, and renovations. He's worked on projects of all sizes, from massive renovations to small repairs. No job is too big or too small for him!


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Itamar Ben Dor
Itamar Ben Dor

My father is a practical engineer, and as a hobby he was also involved in construction, renovations, carpentry and woodwork at home; So there was always tools, saws, drills and more at home. Already I was a little kid Dad and I would renovate the house. Once we built a shed for garden tools, once we did flooring for the garden, once we renovated the bathroom and that’s the way it is. Long before there was an internet, directories and plans. We would build things, kitchen cabinets, install electrical appliances, do flooring, pour concrete and more ... I in this blog want to pass on to you the experience I have gained over the last 20 plus-minus years since I was a child to this day and give you information about the best tools, project plans, guides and more.

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