Puting in a order for clamps.. am I missing anything?

[Dan Kraakenes]

Im about to put in my order for a bunch of clamps.
See any thing that I would be missing?
I want a I beam clamp for gluing.. but I suspect the parallel clamps will handle it fine.
This is for a hobby shop.. not any commercial endeavor, with mostly hand tools.


K-body / Parallel
8 x 50"
8 x 24"

F style:
8 x 12"
8 x 6"
8 x 4"

One Handed
8 x 12"
8 x 6"

Spring Clamp
8 x 2"

[Paul F Franklin]

Your list is a good start.

Of course it depends on what you are/will be building, but I have two 36" ish one handed clamps that I end up using a lot. Usually to quickly hold an assembly in position while I put the "real" clamps in place. Also useful when squaring up a box or drawer as they are lighter than the parallel clamps so are easier to position across a diagonal.

If you will be building furniture, you're eventually going to need at least a couple longer parallel or pipe clamps.

And there are tons of specialized clamps that you *might* need, easier to buy those as the need arises.

[Matt Day]

Buy as needed. Are you new to the hobby - do you have experience with each type of clamp?

Speaking of which - what’s a “one handed” clamp?

[glenn bradley]

Nice list but, I agree that you buy as you need. That way you auto-magically gather an array of clamps that make sense for you. I was forever running out of 24" k-body's, I would buy a few on sale when I came across them and did so till I stopped running out. I still don't run out because I found the right number . . . for me ;-)

I'll also add that for 4" f-style, the Bessey mighty-minis that go for under $5 each are one of my most used clamp for light work. I think I have 3 dozen. Also, the 2" spring clamps at Home Depot (https://www.homedepot.com/p/ANVIL-2-in-Spring-Clamp-99691/302755764) for a buck have served me well for many years. If you save a little on those, you have more for specific clamps like parallel or TG series bar clamps.

[David Eisenhauer]

Yeah, what is a one hander? The pistol-grip type squeezers? I don't know how your cash on hand for the project is, but if it is a little tight, I wonder that (for my use, not yours) if you are looking at too many 50" clamps. maybe drop the 50" number down and spend some on four longer clamps as Paul suggested. I find that for furniture work, usually only four of the longest clamps are used at a time. 24"'s are used in bunches and some longer F style would not go unused. I have around 16-18 24" aluminum bar clamps (Universal Clamp Co.?) that are the single most used clamps in my shop. I originally started out with Jorgensen bar clamps (pre Bessey K clamp days) in 24", 36" and 48" that are used extensively for furniture clamp ups along with some K clamps. The aluminum bar clamps are great for panel width work, drawers, furniture, etc. I have four each of (I think?) 2" and 4" spring clamps for mostly jig, moulding and screw-up repairs. I have recently bought some kind of quick set super glue stuff with an accompanying accelerator that may eat into the spring clamp use, but we will see. Buy as needed is usually a very good piece of advise for most wood working tools, but I do understand that sometimes you have a shot of money now (that my not usually be available) that can go for something that can be solved for a long while. Your basic list is OK, just my own list-fine tuning thoughts.

[Thomas McCurnin]

I get them off Craigslist for under $10 each. Yeah a little beat up, covered with glue and rusty but their $10

[Richard Coers]

I'm old, but wouldn't be in the shop without some pipe clamps. I've used couplings to join them together, sometimes getting them to 12' long. I buy all my F clamps at Harbor Freight now. They are secondary clamps to me, and the HF clamps work very well. I'd ignore the spring clamps, the pressure is never right for what I want to do. I would add a few Microjig Matchfit clamps for jigs and fixtures, as well as some toggle clamps for the same application.

[Jacob Mac]

What do you build? What are you planning on building? What do you already have?

[Ray Newman]

Found today on the Fine Woodworking site:

"The woodworking clamps you need

"It’s true that you can’t have too many, but you can have too many useless ones. So here’s Megan Fitzpatrick's take on what clamps you need, in the order that she uses them most."

By Megan Fitzpatrick, Jul 30, 2020

Read all 'bout it: https://www.finewoodworking.com/2020/07/30/the-woodworking-clamps-you-need

[Jim Becker]

I've been using my 31" K-bodies a lot this year for some reason and wish I had more than four of that size. The 40" are fine to substitute, but there's that hunk of metal sticking out. LOL

[Curt Harms]

Your list is a good start.

Of course it depends on what you are/will be building, but I have two 36" ish one handed clamps that I end up using a lot. Usually to quickly hold an assembly in position while I put the "real" clamps in place. Also useful when squaring up a box or drawer as they are lighter than the parallel clamps so are easier to position across a diagonal.

If you will be building furniture, you're eventually going to need at least a couple longer parallel or pipe clamps.

And there are tons of specialized clamps that you *might* need, easier to buy those as the need arises.

True about having a couple of the 'pistol grip' clamps. They don't seem to exert a lot of force for a glue-up but they sure are handy as a 3rd hand. Get things properly aligned then add stronger clamps as required.

[Jack Frederick]

I've been happy with the Dubuque Aluminum bare clamps. Worth a look I think.

[Andy D Jones]

The OP has chosen a lot of clamps that are good for square assemblies and workpieces.

I suggest wooden hand screw clamps for odd shaped clamping and holding tasks. They also make great, temporary stops on fences or table tops, etc. Very handy for holding small workpieces on a drill press or router table, sander, too. Their wooden jaws can be notched/drilled for custom applications. Their square jaw bodies can easily be clamped to a work surface or in a vise, to hold the work at just the right angle for you. You can even purchase the hardware kits for making your own hand screw clamps with custom wooden (or other material) bodies.

Dubuque Clamp Works' Miro-Moose brand hand screws are made in Iowa, USA. Woodcraft carries them, as well as Tools For Working Wood, Lee Valley, and others.

Ditto Dubuque's Universal aluminum bar clamps (mentioned above by Jack), also manufactured by DCW (and made in USA). They are light weight, for easy, one handed positioning, rigid and smooth-acting. Beware cheaper, foreign knock-offs that have thinner bar material, and flex more. Sure, you can stiffen them with a snug-fitting hardwood batten, slipped inside the bar, but then they weigh a lot more than the Universals. Universal bar clamps are available from TFWW, Woodcraft, Lee Valley, and others.

Finally, if you have an application where the bar or screw on an F or C clamp gets in the way, I suggest Kant-Twist cantilever clamps. Their unique design allows tightening without swiveling or walking. They are available from Industrial Magnetics, Inc. (the new US manufacturer), and others. TFWW appears to be selling off their existing stock since the manufacturer was sold to IM.

If you haven't guessed by now, I favor US-made tools whenever possible...

-- Andy - Arlington TX

[Dan Kraakenes]

I've been happy with the Dubuque Aluminum bare clamps. Worth a look I think.

Do you know the actual clamping length of these clamps?
Actual length.. or a bit longer?

Bessey are a bit longer then actual "stated" length..

[Osvaldo Cristo]

As a number of posters comments, it will depend what is your use (application and your style) but it looks a good start up for me except I would miss my four Merle clamps I purchased on 1991. They have metal band and can replace a number of very big conventional clamps for some setups.

I also would miss my four 1500 mm (60 in) 3/4 pipe clamps.

[Andy D Jones]

Do you know the actual clamping length of these clamps?
Actual length.. or a bit longer?

Bessey are a bit longer then actual "stated" length..

Per Tools For Working Wood's product description for Universal bar clamps from Dubuque:

"The listed size is the maximum length of the clamped items. The overall size of the clamps are slightly larger."

I just measured one of my 24" Universal bar clamps, and with the movable bar in the last notch, and the screw fully retracted, it measured 24 5/8" between jaw surfaces. So there is also room for pads between the clamp jaws and the specified maximum width (24") work piece.

-- Andy - Arlington TX

[Pete Staehling]

My list is crazy long and VERY different than yours and so are a lot of other folks. It will depend on how you work and what you build. I agree that buying for the projects you are doing as they come up is a good way to guarantee that you buy stuff that best fits your needs.

That said I don't see how you can go wrong having a bunch of F style clamps in a couple sizes. I find 6" ones very useful and really see no reason to buy 4" ones at all, just buy more 6" ones. I do have longer ones though, but not as many. I find the cheap harbor freight ones are good enough for most usage and allow you to buy a lot of them with not much investment of cash. That is at least in the shorter lengths. The real long ones are pretty flexible, limiting their usefulness.

I personally also use a lot of little C clamps and a lot of shop made luthier cam clamps, but they are not universally recommended. Other styles I won't comment on because there is more personal preference that will eliminate one type or another. I will say that I would up with a lot of clamps over the years. I don't know how many. A hundred plus maybe?

[Matthew Hills]

That seems like a lot of clamps to swallow at once -- do you have space allocated for clamp storage? and remaining budget if you want different clamps?

Is there anything specific you plan to do that requires specific clamps? (e.g., steam-bending or bent-lamination projects often use a lot of f-style clamps to hold the work on the forms). Gluing up a 20" workbench top will employee every one of the 8x24" k-bodies.

I've tended to buy in small groups - a pack of the quick grips, then a set of bessey k-bodies for frame&panel glue-up (2x24 and 2x40), then a second set of those, etc.
If I was buying, I'd probably halve the quantities you listed for general-purpose clamping, maybe bumping up qty on a size needed for an immediate project.

What do you expect to be using 8x50" k-bodies for? For panel glue-ups, you'll want a flat surface where you can set up your clamps. Ideally the clamps are just a bit longer than your glue-up width. Having extra capacity in these is better than too little, but too much extra is annoying to work around. When I started to need long clamps for pulling larger furniture piece together, I bought a set of the dubuques, as their the weight was much better. I do like those.
If buying clamps for panel glue-ups, I'd probably also look in to the heavy bessey bar clamps (Tom McLaughlin had discussed the set he got from Bessey in one of his streaming videos earlier this summer)

I use the F-style quite a bit for different things around the shop -- especially clamping things to workbench, drill press table, etc.
For the 12" and 6" f-style, I've preferred the clutch-style with deeper throats. I haven't bought f-style in these sizes with 2.5" throats.

I do have a few lightweight f-style. These are very handy for clamping stop blocks to fences. I wouldn't use 8 of these.

You are missing hand screws. 1 big and 1 small will get you started.
And I occasionally use c clamps (although the handle always seems to be getting in the way)

I don't use spring clamps a lot, but did eventually get a set of bandy clamps (spring clips from Rockler with a rubber band to help with edging plywood). I don't think these would be a first purchase if you are mostly handtools.

What do you use for workholding on your bench? Vises? holdfasts? veritas hold-downs?

Matt

[Will Blick]

some great advise here...
Like others suggested... the length of clamps you need is highly dependent on what you plan to build...
IF you plan to build doors, well, you need super long long clamps....if you plan to only build occassional long items like doors, then the Bessey Extenders sure come in handy and save you the cost of those long clamps and storage of them. If you plan to build kitchen cabinets, or other similar size then focus on the 24-40" range.
I would agree with others, some deeeep reach clamps always come in handy.
and of course, I love the new Gear Klamps by Bessey, very unique where the handle is placed, its the only clamp that works in certain situations.

[Mike Kees]

Handscew clamps. One of the most under rated and most useful clamps. I have about 10 of various sizes.

[Dan Kraakenes]

This is for my new woodshed / workshop.. Its been in the making for 3 years and I was supposed to complete it last year, but I broke my foot and haven't been able to do the inside roof or walls yet. I hope to be finished by Christmas this year..

Reason for buying so many at the same time are... I should have bought them 3 years ago and have the funds accumulated.. :)
I want them to look the same when hanging on the wall.. I think I would go crazy if it was a mismatched mess... Thought this is for private use, not a business :)
And I get a larger discount by buying more.
As well as just buying things made in EU, NA or other high cost countries really restricts what I can buy.. so I got to research it a bit.

The shop actual shop is 12´ x 20´ or 240 sqft... So I am really restricted to what I can build.
There is another 240sqft of storage rooms beside it for lumber, miter saw, plunge saw, vacuum, Christmas lighting (ugh), bikes, finished projects etc etc..

Intend to make furniture for our house and other relatives.. I have 5 young nieces and nephews around us, so I think beds, outdoor furniture or study/school benches might be the largest I might build.


If I where to make a living in here, I would have to make smaller objects to be able to store finished things and have enough lumber stored.


Sounds like more smaller clamps.. and a few long ones for the rare large build.

48" - A few (4-8) for rarer projects.
24" - Sash/pipe/bar clamp
12"- F-clamp
6" - F-clamp
2-4 trigger clamps in different sizes

[Dan Kraakenes]

Which also means I am buying all the handtools I need in one go now, to push myself to get it finished... and my bank account is bleeding. :)
The clamps are just small part of the whole picture..

[Curt Harms]

This is for my new woodshed / workshop.. Its been in the making for 3 years and I was supposed to complete it last year, but I broke my foot and haven't been able to do the inside roof or walls yet. I hope to be finished by Christmas this year..

Reason for buying so many at the same time are... I should have bought them 3 years ago and have the funds accumulated.. :)
I want them to look the same when hanging on the wall.. I think I would go crazy if it was a mismatched mess... Thought this is for private use, not a business :)
And I get a larger discount by buying more.
As well as just buying things made in EU, NA or other high cost countries really restricts what I can buy.. so I got to research it a bit.

The shop actual shop is 12´ x 20´ or 240 sqft... So I am really restricted to what I can build.
There is another 240sqft of storage rooms beside it for lumber, miter saw, plunge saw, vacuum, Christmas lighting (ugh), bikes, finished projects etc etc..

Intend to make furniture for our house and other relatives.. I have 5 young nieces and nephews around us, so I think beds, outdoor furniture or study/school benches might be the largest I might build.


If I where to make a living in here, I would have to make smaller objects to be able to store finished things and have enough lumber stored.


Sounds like more smaller clamps.. and a few long ones for the rare large build.

48" - A few (4-8) for rarer projects.
24" - Sash/pipe/bar clamp
12"- F-clamp
6" - F-clamp
2-4 trigger clamps in different sizes

One of the advantages of ordinary pipe clamps is that short clamps can become long clamps with couplings. And pipe clamps can be pretty cheap, especially if you can find used pipe and a way to thread the ends.

[johnny means]

95% of my clamping is done with Bessey Tradesman F style clamps. I bought two of the 30 piece sets 20 years ago and a hundred clamps later, they are still my go-tos. More is always better. I went a long time without parallel clamps and have never thought of them as indispensible. If your cuts are square, they're not necessary. If your cuts aren't square, they won't help. Stuff like this happens to me all the time.

[Matt Day]

I really think you’re making a bad decision to basically buy all clamps and “hand tools” at once. (“Hand tools” covers a wide range of stuff) You’re sure to over buy or under buy, or just buy wrong. Whatever your first project is, buy for that project. Better yet, wait until you have a place to put them. Also, I’d rather have functional clamps rather than be matchy-matchy.

I’m sure you’re excited to finally get your shop built and stocked, but it takes more than a couple bulk buys to make it a functional shop that fits your style of work.

Where are you located? Seems like you alluded to that with buying stuff from certain countries?

[Osvaldo Cristo]

I really think you’re making a bad decision to basically buy all clamps and “hand tools” at once. (“Hand tools” covers a wide range of stuff) You’re sure to over buy or under buy, or just buy wrong.
[...]


I agree totally with you if you are starting from scratch and do not have a clear idea what you need but it can be not the case.

A few years ago I was preparing to move abroad and I prepared a comprehensive acquisition list for my new workshop. It was based on that I already have in my current workshop and work experience. On that circumstances I see no problem to purchase your tools at once.

Perhaps it is also the situation of the OP.

[Prashun Patel]

I also think it prudent to buy them as needed. It's hard to describe, but depending on what you gravitate to building, your needs will shift.

For my money:

50" K bodies (I have 4) are a pain to use. Too big, too heavy, requiring 2 hands to set. I prefer pipe clamps when I need to reach that far.

I'm leaning towards more one-handed Irwin style clamps. There are some heavy duty ones that - while big headed - provide a lot of force and don't have a bottom like F's or K's or pipes that require you to bring the head in with 2 hands close before tightening; they're convenient to use one-handed.

I do love the harborfreight 12" F clamps. They're my most used.

Oh yeah, ok K bodies, buy a quality brand. These fail easily. The Peachtree and Woodriver knockoffs I bought had to be thrown away because the catching mechanism failed.

[Mike Kees]

One more time for emphasis. HANDSCREW clamps. Until you play with a couple of these you have no idea how useful they are.

[johnny means]

One more time for emphasis. HANDSCREW clamps. Until you play with a couple of these you have no idea how useful they are.
In twenty plus years in the field, I've never seen anyone use handscrews on a regular basis. Everyone owns a few, but I think it's just to create an old timey atmosphere around the shop.

[Mel Fulks]

Totally depends on the work. There are a lot more cabinet shops than architectural millwork shops. If you have to make
something like hand rail ,you need a lot of them. Sadly they are popular with thieves. One guy I worked for bought a
pickup truck full of them ,and needed them since they were always disappearing.

[Mike Kees]

In twenty plus years in the field, I've never seen anyone use handscrews on a regular basis. Everyone owns a few, but I think it's just to create an old timey atmosphere around the shop.
Hey Johnny ,stop by my shop and I will show you all the stuff they are good for.

[Dan Kraakenes]

First purchase done:
12 x 24" Dubuque Aluminium clamps
2 x 4-6-8-10-12 Dubuque wood hand screw clamps (10 in total)

Next on list are most likely:
8 x 8" Bessey F-Clamps
8 x 12" Bessey F-Clamps


Then maybe some 48"..

[Paul F Franklin]

I've been using my 31" K-bodies a lot this year for some reason and wish I had more than four of that size. The 40" are fine to substitute, but there's that hunk of metal sticking out. LOL

Noticed that woodcraft is having some kind of sale at the end of the month on 24 and 31 parallel jaw clamps (not bessey though). Now's your chance.....

[Jim Becker]

Noticed that woodcraft is having some kind of sale at the end of the month on 24 and 31 parallel jaw clamps (not bessey though). Now's your chance.....
Thanks for the heads up. I'll check it out, but unless they have free shipping, any sale benefit disappears with travel costs since Woodcraft is all the way up in Allentown PA.