Woodsmith

A parade of Shop Clamps & Hold Downs

The old saying goes “you can’t have too many clamps.” And it’s especially true in this day and age — there are a vast array of devices that will clamp, grab, grip, and hold down just about anything you want. Starting with the long clamps, lets look at how they’re made and what they do.

The catch is that the term “bar clamp” encompasses a number of related clamps. They all work similarly — one jaw is fixed at the end of the bar while the second jaw slides along it to provide adjustability. But you’ll find that each style has its own unique features, pluses and minuses, and best uses. Here’s a brief rundown of the choices.

PARALLEL JAW CLAMPS

Parallel jaw clamps are

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