Bench clamps hold work securely in place on a workbench and come in various styles, including C-clamps, bar clamps, pipe clamps, thumbscrews, vises, bench dogs, and fasteners. Each type has its own unique features and uses for woodworking, metalworking, and more.
A bench clamp is a temporary device designed to hold work securely in place on a workbench. Bench clamps are used in everything from carpentry and woodworking to furniture making, welding and metalworking. There are multiple styles of bench clamp available, depending on the task; they include: C-clamps, bar clamps, pipe clamps, thumbscrews, vises, bench dogs, and fasteners.
Designed in the shape of the letter C, a C-clamp holds things together tightly and is adjustable depending on the throat or reach of the clamp. It is usually made of cast iron or steel. The clamp is used by turning a screw through the bottom of the C-frame until the work piece is fully stabilized. The clamps range in size from 3/4 inch to 12 inch (1.9 cm to 30.48 cm).
Similar to a C-clamp, a bar clamp has a fixed end with a jaw and an adjustable end. Some bar clamps include a disc clutch inside the sliding jaw that allows the clamp to be positioned anywhere along the bar. This allows the user to make quick adjustments and allows for a strong grip. Bar clamps range from 6 inches to 6 feet (15.24 cm to 1.82 m) in length.
A pipe clamp, also known as a glue clamp, uses 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) or 3/4 inch (1.90 cm) pipe clamped in a fixed jaw. The jaw installed on the opposite end of the pipe is both adjustable and can be moved from its original position. The work piece is held against the adjustable jaw and the crank is tightened to secure it. The length of tubing used in making the clamp determines its capacity.
For workpieces with non-parallel sides, hand screws are used. The hand screws consist of two screws, one with left-hand thread and one with right-hand thread. The screws pass through an extended opening so that the jaws can be engaged in a non-parallel position.
A bench vise has a fixed jaw and a parallel jaw that can be adjusted via a screw mechanism. A clamp-on bench vise is a portable vise that can be clamped or screwed into a workbench. A vice allows you to hold the workpiece in place while other work is being done on it, such as sanding, sawing, drilling, screwing, planing, etc.
Bench dogs are effective at holding the flat stock in place for belt sanding and hand planing. They are inexpensive and generally come in packs of four. The holding clamps can be used to clamp the work piece against the table. Some workbenches include built-in adjustable clamps. These are often portable and foldable for easy storage.
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