Corner clamps for case work

[Drew Sanderson]

Which corner clamp for butt joints with case work would you recommend?

Thanks,
Drew

[Aaron Berk]

These are what I use, I haven't tried anything else, but I do like these.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.rockler.com/imageGallery/CustomerComments/17821_48874486_CornerClamp11.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm%3Fpage%3D17821%26Max%3D999&usg=__VKdkZvwsumiZXHsLJvF0gR_B80U=&h=558&w=744&sz=108&hl=en&start=15&sig2=oK70TS-i14qqV-Cv0857_g&zoom=1&tbnid=IPrnISvUx4gqhM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=216&ei=NT8jTevWIsP98AbJ3MXXDQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Djet%2Bcorner%2Bclamp%26um%3D1%26hl%3D en%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D970%26bih%3D630%26tbs%3Disch:1 0%2C228&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=517&vpy=329&dur=4547&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=85&ty=129&oei=Lz8jTc65McKqlAe_9ZT3DQ&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:15&biw=970&bih=630

[Drew Sanderson]

That was what I was looking at. How many are useful to have for most work?

[Rob Wright]

I have two of these kreg clamps and like them as well:

http://www.kregtool.com/90-Degree-Corner-Clamp-Prodview.html

[Drew Sanderson]

That is a pretty cool design as well!

[frank shic]

fastcap makes ass(embly) blocks which help too although you have to mount them to a stationary table or secondary piece of plywood. i usually just use a pneumatic stapler before screwing the butt joints together with confirmat screws. the kreg corner clamps are nice as well although you have to let the corner overhang the side of your assembly table to give clearance for the bottom clamp.

[Aaron Berk]

That was what I was looking at. How many are useful to have for most work?

You can "get by" with 2, if your only doing occasional case work, but if half your work or more is case, then you gotta have at least 4 in my book.

More clamps is NEVER a problem, storing them between uses is.

[Eric Getchell]

These are the clamp issues I previous faced when making cabinet carcasses:
- Holding power. Will the joint shift in the clamps when I drive the screws or rotate the cabinet carcass to drill another side.
- Ease of clamping. How difficult is it to initially clamp the two faces?
- Ease of drilling. Is the clamp in the way of the drill?

I’ve tried a few clamping techniques. These are what I’ve tried and some lessons learned:

90 Degree Corner Clamps (Pony or numerous equivalents):
http://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Clamp-Degree-Pony-Corner/dp/B0000CBI9C/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1294158494&sr=8-7
For making cabinets, just not strong enough and the stock would shift when drilling and installing screws. I found that for making drawers they’re a good third hand and don’t get in the way when drilling.

Right-Angle clamp. (Wolcraft, Sears, Harbor Freight etc. ):
http://www.amazon.com/Wolfcraft-3415405-Right-Angle-Clamp/dp/B000JCGYD6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294158494&sr=8-1
I found that they have more holding power that the corner clamps, but were awkward to work with when trying to initially clamp the panels. It took numerous tries to get the two panels to align correctly.

Assembly Squares:
Similar to: http://www.amazon.com/Rockler-Clamp-It-Assembly-Square/dp/B001DSZ7L0/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1294159177&sr=1-1
For smaller projects, such as drawers, the inside corner worked fine for squaring. I found that using the outside corners to align panels allowed too much flex when assembling cabinets.

I then took Bill Huber’s advice in the following thread and now use the Jet spring clamps to position the carcass as a third hand while installing the real clamps - either with Kreg 90 Degree Corner clamps noted by Rob above, or bar clamps.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?101371-Right-angle-clamp-suggestions&highlight=corner+clamp

I like the Kreg clamps as they can really get a tight grip on the joint and are very quick to work with – a simple squeeze of the handle and the joint is locked. The Jet spring clamps were on sale at Woodcraft for $12 a pair a few weeks ago, not sure if they still are.

[Joe Jensen]

Are you looking for something to square corners of cabinet boxes? I bought some aluminum jigs from Peachtree on implus and I've never uses them.

Instead I measure the two diagonals and tweak until they are equal.

[Drew Sanderson]

How very true!

storing them between uses is.

[Drew Sanderson]

I agree with measure and tweak. I mainly want the for holding together while I assemble and drawing all the faces flush.

Are you looking for something to square corners of cabinet boxes? I bought some aluminum jigs from Peachtree on implus and I've never uses them.

Instead I measure the two diagonals and tweak until they are equal.

[Aaron Berk]

I've got clamps stored all over my shop. They are organized in there own spots, but not all in the same place.

When ever I find a "nook" or dead space on the wall, boom there go some clamps.

I store clamps like log home builders use chinking, lol