Your Favorite Value Clamps

[Edward Weber]

Favorite value clamp?

I've had a few glue-ups like that. The worst part is putting them all back on the rack

[Michael Schuch]

If I do a good job of making accurate cuts the pieces will come together without forcing them together so heavy duty pipe and parallel (K body) clamps aren't really needed. I find simple aluminum bar clamps the easiest to use due to their lite weight and more than sufficient clamping force.

https://www.harborfreight.com/36-in-...amp-60539.html

Some times I am not always perfect with my cuts making parallel (K body) and 3/4" pipe clamps necessary. I have roughly equal amounts of HF aluminum bar clamps vs every other style of clamp (I.e. half my bar clamps are lite weight aluminum bar clamps). I find when my less than perfect side rears it's ugly head that I never need ALL heavy duty clamps for glue ups. I.e. a couple knot buster clamps and mostly lite weight aluminum bar clamps work well.

If you need to you can easily find much more expensive lite weight aluminum bar clamps to save you the shame of buying Harbor Freight.. but from what I have seen the extra money really doesn't buy you any better quality. Aluminum bar clamps just are that complex that spending more really gets you more... unlike Parallel clamps and one handed ratchet bar clamps.

[Robert Engel]

I think Michael brings up a good point, that is you don’t need massive clamps or clamping pressure if your joinery is good.

Many of the frame and panel doors I use the HF bar clamps and they work perfectly fine.

I have pipe clamps and hardly ever use them, only for the length I put pipes together. They are bad about bowing the wood up and you have to deal with black stains. And like parallel clamps they get heavy. I ‘ve got a passel of them and rarely usually use them.


As mentioned, they AL bar clamps can be improved. I do the same thing Sellers does. But people will still call them junk……

[Mike Henderson]

They are bad about bowing the wood up and you have to deal with black stains. And like parallel clamps they get heavy. I ‘ve got a passel of them and rarely usually use them.……

You probably know this, but alternate your pipe clamps bottom and top. That will help balance the bowing.

Mike

[James Jayko]

Regarding all the commentary on the HF Dubuque ripoff clamps being trash...if you've got square surfaces to glue together, they'll bring the joint together just fine. They are fine for what they are and what they cost. If you're using your pipe clamps so you can absolutely torque the sh*t out of them to close up a crappy joint, you should probably fix whatever is going on in your milling process.

Definitely prefer parallel clamps and other higher quality things, but the HF ones have worked absolutely fine when I've done a good job preparing stock, and...less good...when I haven't.

[jack duren]

I think Michael brings up a good point, that is you don’t need massive clamps or clamping pressure if your joinery is good.

Many of the frame and panel doors I use the HF bar clamps and they work perfectly fine.

I have pipe clamps and hardly ever use them, only for the length I put pipes together. They are bad about bowing the wood up and you have to deal with black stains. And like parallel clamps they get heavy. I ‘ve got a passel of them and rarely usually use them.


As mentioned, they AL bar clamps can be improved. I do the same thing Sellers does. But people will still call them junk……

A lot of pressure or not doesn’t make a bit of difference as long as the jo8nt looks good..

[jack duren]

Regarding all the commentary on the HF Dubuque ripoff clamps being trash...if you've got square surfaces to glue together, they'll bring the joint together just fine. They are fine for what they are and what they cost. If you're using your pipe clamps so you can absolutely torque the sh*t out of them to close up a crappy joint, you should probably fix whatever is going on in your milling process.

Definitely prefer parallel clamps and other higher quality things, but the HF ones have worked absolutely fine when I've done a good job preparing stock, and...less good...when I haven't.

I’ve got them and know how bad they are. Right now they are burried and won’t ever see daylight again..

Anybody want them, you can have them..Odessa, Missouri..

[Phillip Mitchell]

I really like the Dubuque clamps for light to medium duty work if you don't need deeper jaws. They are very easier to handle and well made and a joy to use.

Pipe clamps are fine and good, though heavy and not quite the value they used to be if buying new.

I have lots of older Bessey K body parallel clamps of varying lengths (including ~40") that are also great.

I barely ever buy clamps new, though and look for deals on used sets.

Some of my favorite clamps ever are Wetzler bar clamps but they are more in the 12-24" range and are pretty heavy.

I have a dozen or so of the cheapie HF 6" F style clamps that are for back up / laminations when all else fails and I need every clamp in the shop, but I would say life is to short to use $hitty clamps and keep your eyes peeled on FB marketplace, etc for used.

[mark mcfarlane]

I initially bought K-Body Revo clamps and recently changed to Bessey's Revo Jr clamps to fill out the arsenal.

The Revo Jr clamps get plenty of pressure for me and are much lighter. I grab them first when I need a couple clamps. Saving money doesn't hurt but I really like being able to grab several clamps at the same time off the rack. They are just easier to work with.

The Bessey Clamp Extender (joiner) is also really handy. I needed some 8' clamps this week and 3 minutes later I had them made up.

[cecil rolfe]

I have the good Jorgies but I have about 30 HF aluminum bar clamps too. Use them constantly with great results. I use a lot of clamps on projects. The Jorgies are to heavy to use with my bad rotator cuffs.
I have had the HF for at least 15 years.

[Mike Soaper]

fwiw Lowe's website has a "deal of the day" today of Jorgensen 36" parallel clamps for $32

Jorgensen 36-in Parallel Jaw Clamp in the Clamps department at Lowes.com

[Kevin Jenness]

life is too short to use $hitty clamps

Amen, brother.

[Tom Bender]

The HF clamps got dissed on page one of this post, but I have a pair of 48" ones and like them. Wanted to say that but had to read all 5 pages of posts to be fair. And it has been interesting reading. Finally on page 5 the HF clamps got some love.

[David Walser]

The HF clamps got dissed on page one of this post, but I have a pair of 48" ones and like them. Wanted to say that but had to read all 5 pages of posts to be fair. And it has been interesting reading. Finally on page 5 the HF clamps got some love.

I think Harbor Freight prompts a negative emotional reaction in a good part of our community. The same can be said for the reaction of some to Festool. At times it seems the brand name has more to do with the 'review' than the quality/price of the tool being reviewed. Of course, the problem is those posting these emotional-based reviews think that they are being wholly rational.

[Robert Engel]

So true ^^.

Yes the HF clamps get dissed which I don’t get b/c they aren’t that bad. Great option for someone starting out.

At some point I’m going to buy some 24” HF bar clamps on sale and cut them down to 16 or 18”.