12 – A Guide to Woodworking Clamps

Video - March 16, 2007

Today’s show is all about clamps. There are so many varieties out there and unless you’ve been woodworking for a number of years, its difficult to know which ones to buy. Furthermore, how do you know which ones to buy multiples of? I review all the clamps I own and show you some of the newer clamps to hit the market, namely the Jet Parallel Clamps and the Irwin Quick Grip XP’s. At the very least, I hope I can help you avoid doing what I did in the beginning: buying clamps you don’t need.

Most of the items featured in this episode are available in The Wood Whisperer Amazon Store. So if you need to pick up a few clamps, that’s a great way to do it.

Products Used

Jet Parallel Clamps
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Discussion

Travis March 16, 2007 10:31 am

Excellent podcast as always. Actually, it’s a timely piece, since I just made a rough clamp rack (a series of racks, actually) and noticed that some of my nice new Jet clamps have dried glue on them! I thought that the polished bars would be resistant to the glue, but apparently that’s not so. But at least now I have a couple of solutions to try…

I was curious, however, why you didn’t include Aluminum bar clamps? They can be found for very little $$ in some cases, and are lighter than the pipe clamps, which makes them easier to work with. The only downside is that they do flex more than the pipe clamps, so they won’t provide as much pressure. But so far, they’ve done well for me.

Also, it seems Bessey is making their clamps for other companies. Of course Woodcraft has them now, but also Harbor Freight carries a Bessey clone (who knows if it’s actually made by Bessey- but they are exact to the Woodcraft clamps except for the color). The nice thing about those clamps is that the handle is a fluted aluminum handle, which is easy to grip. Also, with the infamous Harbor Freight sales and discount coupons, they may be available for a very reasonable cost.

Reply
Ray Jackson March 16, 2007 10:31 am

Unfortunately episode 12 freezes after a few seconds and reverts to the beginning.

Reply
thewoodwhisperer March 16, 2007 11:11 am

Hey Ray. Are you watching the streaming version on the site or one of the quicktime movies above the image? If you are watching the streaming version. It always helps to hit pause after it starts playing and give it a few extra seconds to buffer up. Im not positive that thats the reason for your problem, but it could be. And unfortunately, I cant seem to reproduce your problem.

Reply
thewoodwhisperer March 16, 2007 11:12 am

Hey Travis. I left out several clamps simply because I don’t own them. I really wanted to focus on the clamps that I use on a daily basis. But of course, there is nothing wrong with a nice set of aluminum bar clamps.

Reply
Mike Lingenfelter March 16, 2007 12:31 pm

Thanks for the tip on keeping your clamps clean. I guess that means it’s time to clean them up now :).

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PtrainFSU March 16, 2007 12:53 pm

Great Job Marc!! I love your videos, and just wanted to let you know! Keep up the good work!

Reply
Wilbur March 16, 2007 1:26 pm

Hi Mark,

Love your website. How deep are the 12″ deep throat clamps that you like and mention in this podcast?

I’d also like to make a plug for my favorite clamps: Wetzler quick clamps. They are F-style clamps that are built like tanks. I have a bunch of the 4″ deep clamps, and love the way that they work. The feel of these clamps is second to none, even the best parallel clamps, and they are square enough that I think they do just as well as parallel clamps in glue ups.

I think your pal David Marks likes these clamps as well.

Reply
Dan Wilt March 17, 2007 9:59 pm

Great podcast as usual. The tip about waxing your clamps is a good one but you don’t want to wax the bar of the old-style Quick Grips. The clamp head will want to slip when you want it to grip. I know this from past experience :(

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thewoodwhisperer March 18, 2007 9:29 am

Hey Wilbur. That big clamps have a 6″ throat.

Wetzler does indeed make great clamps. Well built and sturdy. I remember using them in David’s shop and they never failed us. I did find them comparable in quality to Bessey’s heavy duty line of clamps.

Marc

Reply
Greg Watson March 18, 2007 10:10 am

Great show as usual Marc. I am wondering if you might post a couple of shots of your hanging rack, as that is next on my list of adjustments to the shop and I am looking for inspiration.

Reply
thewoodwhisperer March 18, 2007 11:07 am

Hey Greg. I did take some close-up shots of the rack in the video. Let me know if you need more detail than that. Good luck!

marc

Reply
Rob March 18, 2007 8:10 pm

When you say they can be bought on-sale for a ‘good’ price, what is a good price for the jet parallel jaw clamps? I see the current price on Amazon, but what can I expect to save through patience?

Reply
thewoodwhisperer March 18, 2007 8:22 pm

Hey Rob. I would estimate a “good” price to be a 20-25% savings.

Reply
- Allen October 5, 2022 10:48 pm
  
  I have 3 Bora parallel clamps that are slipping. I’ve taken the movable head apart and adjusted the spring every way possible and can’t get them to apply any pressure. They are freshly cleaned with no dried glue. Any advice?
  
  Reply
nancy March 20, 2007 3:19 pm

Thanks… I am a new wood worker/// just getting my woodshop together… and clamps use and types has always been a huge question.. gonna mozey over to your store…

Reply
thewoodwhisperer March 21, 2007 7:51 am

Jeff just alerted me to a decent sale over at Amazon.com (aka The WOod Whisperer Store). Bessey K-Bodies are reduced quite a bit.

These Amazon sales are unpredictable so if you are looking to stock up, get your butt over there and do it before they change the price again.

Reply
Victor Proo March 21, 2007 2:03 pm

Mark, I’m new to woodworking as I have inherited a fine woodworking workshop from my father-in-law. He was not much for teaching and so I’m having to learn how to use the equipment on my own with the manuals. So far so good. I have created a few pieces and your videos have been very helpful as well as entertaining. My father-in-law, probably, would not have appreciated your humor but my wife and I lol. Keep up the podcasting. That in and of itself is an art you and your wife, have been doing well with too. I notice you are a Macintosh aficionado. Good man! I purchased a pair of the Bessy

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Andrew Lin May 9, 2007 7:09 am

Thanks for the great video! Very informative. I will definitely be visiting The Wood Whisperer more often.

Reply
Louis Pengue June 11, 2007 8:52 pm

Marc,
Just reviewed this podcast to see the detail of the wall racks for the clamp storage. I need to build some and I like ypur simplicity. What dimensions did you use for the Bessey rack? It looks like 3/4″ plywood on top and botom.

On the other rack with the 2×2’s and poplar – are the horizontal boards 1×4’s spaced off the 2×2’s? That’s what it looks like in the video.

I do really enjoy your videos and check for them weekly – keep up the good work.

Thanks,
Louis

Reply
thewoodwhisperer June 11, 2007 10:44 pm

Hey Louis. You are right on both accounts. They smaller rack is just 1×3’s over 2×2 strips. The Bessey racks are just 3/4″ ply screwed to a 2×4. Pretty straightforward. Let me know if you need any more info.

Marc

Reply
Mike Ward August 21, 2007 10:33 pm

Hi, My streaming vidio also freezes; I will try the ‘pause’ technique you suggest.

My comment on Wetzler clamps, based on an expert instructor from Marc Adam’s School of Woodwokring, Steven Procter by name. He LOVES Wetzler. Partiularly likes not only their sturdy construction, and the fact that the screw comes out parallel with the bar evrery time (not true with Bessey’s). but the fact that they have that little pad cast into the head so that you can stand up a glued up assembly on it’s head, all the tops of the clamps sitting level on the floor. Checi out the picture.
Mike

Reply
Bren November 26, 2007 8:02 pm

Mark:
I am curious about the F style clamps you showed. What brand are you using? Is that the brand you would recommend to someone buying new? What is a good source for these? I did not see them in your Amazon store.

I really enjoy your site. Excellent creativity. I really admire what you have done career wise. All this and you have only been at it for 5+ years? Amazing!

Regards,
Bren

Reply
thewoodwhisperer November 26, 2007 8:51 pm

The F-style clamps I use are Rockler (blue ones) and Bessey (Red and black). I would absolutely recommend both brands.

Thanks Bren. We would be no where if it wasn’t for the encouragement and support of our fans and friends. Thanks for watching.

Reply
Garrett March 10, 2008 11:04 am

Mark,

Just stumbled across your site and am really enjoying watching your videos. Just started outfitting my shop and am deciding on clamps…

With the Irwin XP clamps being a little bit less expensive than the Jet Parallel clamps, what would your thoughts on just getting the Irwin XPs?

Thanks!

Reply
thewoodwhisperer March 10, 2008 12:15 pm

Hey Garrett. Although I really like the Irwin XP’s, they would not be my first choice for clamps. I would definitely get a good Jet setup first. I consider the Irwins “non-essential” clamps.

Reply
Doug Brummett July 28, 2008 10:54 am

Marc, I have seen this video a couple of times now. I can really appreciate the information as well as the presentation of it. However I did run into one issue. Waxing the bars. While this works great for the serrated parallel clamps it is bad news on the light duty Quick Clamps. Just like the poles at my favorite local establishment too much lube on them is not a good thing. The QC’s will tighten, but then slowly slip on the waxed bar. So for the other viewers I advise caution on this. I think WD-40 applied and then wipe off excess works best for me on these clamps.

Reply
thewoodwhisperer July 28, 2008 11:23 am

Thanks Doug. I wish I would have been more clear in the video. The only clamps that I ever really wax are the parallel clamps. Glue usually isn’t much of a problem with the other clamps, unless you use them for gluing up panels. Thanks for bringing this up. And since quick clamps aren’t very strong to begin with, I would probably recommend no lubrication at all. And like I said, in most cases, glue wont be an issue with these anyway.

Thanks again Doug.

Reply
Ric Alvarado November 28, 2009 11:11 pm

Marc,

I am new to woodworking and am enjoying your podcasts. They are very informative and entertaining. With regard to clamps, what is your opinion on band clamps? I’ve seen my father-in-law (experienced woodworker) use them when he’s building furniture. Thanks again for the informative videos.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer November 29, 2009 9:53 am
  
  Hey Ric. Its all about personal taste I suppose. But I don’t really use band clamps on anything other than picture frames. When you need to apply force from all sides at the same time, they can be very handy. But even with picture frames, I still reinforce the clamping with regular parallel clamps.
  
  Reply
IrritableBadger December 15, 2009 1:01 pm

This was a great video, highly educational for beginning woodworkers. I also spent a small fortune on the “wrong” clamps when I first started out and hopefully your concise review will prevent others from making the same mistakes.

I do think it would be good if an updated version of the video included a quick review of the Bessey K-Body Revo series clamps.

Almost all the retail woodworking outlets (including big-box stores) are pushing them and I recently decided to try some out. I purchased 24 of the clamps in various sizes and I must say they far exceeded my expectations for a superb parallel clamp. The new cushioned ergonomically shaped handle makes it easy to provide incredible clamping pressure with just a few turns of the screw and the angle jaw adapters make holding non-parallel surfaces a snap. Plus the nifty rail pads and end rail clips make it simple to set up a large case or face frame clamping assembly nearly painless.

Anyway, just thought I would share my thoughts. I just discovered your video tutorials and your website and I must say you have done a fantastic job educating people in a clear, concise, and fun way. Thanks.

Reply
James December 12, 2010 10:05 am

Very helpful for me. I am setting up a workshop in our new home. This is the first place we have lived where I have a space dedicated to my woodworking and carpentry. One comment I have that is in regard to something I saw in the video. While showing your clamp rack I noticed the spring clamps are also stored on the rack. I do a task at work where I use many of this style clamp. (We call them “ponies” after the most popular brand of this style.) I have noticed that when these clamps are stored clamped to something they lose some holding power over time. So I store mine lose in a bucket and they always hold as good as new.

Reply
Ross Ekberg June 30, 2011 2:31 pm

I have a small number of clamps. I have mostly f-style clamps, a several quick clamps, and two Bessey parallel clamps. They must have updated the Bessey clamps since this video because mine are quite beefy with large ergo handles. I also have a couple Irwin Quick clamps. The pressure they apply has always been enough for what I have needed. You are right in that it is all personal preference. Thus far, the projects I have done require more easy-to-move clamps. I find the Besseys quick heavy and fumbly. they seem to be made primarily for setting pieces into them rather than clamping them onto something. I’m the kind of guy who lives by necessity. When I need the clamps, I will go buy them. It is unfortunate how expensive clamps can be, and how cheaply made the cheap alternatives are. It makes the clamp collection a slow process.

Reply
Martin July 23, 2011 3:32 pm

Marc,

You left out my favorite clamp of all..

vacuum bagging.

Reply
Paul Weaver December 4, 2011 1:30 pm

Hey Guys!

Excellent video on clamps! Lots of great info, and enjoyable to watch. I would like to mention cam clamps as an additional useful tool. They are quick and easy to use, though they often have less than 24” openings, and do not apply more than 300 lbs pressure… but I have certainly learned its better to use a few more clamps than it is to really tighten them down.

Thanks again
Paul Weaver
Lamare Guitars

Reply
Barry Innerarity December 26, 2012 11:57 pm

Marc,
Great video on the clamps!. I wanted to give my 2 cents on gluing with the parrallel clamps. I take a piece of blue painters tape and drap it over the clamp bar where the glue line will be or where the two boards come together. It keeps the glue off the bar and so you never have to clean it up, works great. You can use any width of tape that will work, I use one inch tape. I thought this would help, thanks for the videos.

Reply
Michael December 27, 2012 7:44 pm

Marc,
I went to the WW Store but could not find the starter kit you mentioned.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer December 28, 2012 6:59 am
  
  The Amazon Store is what you’re looking for: http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/amazon-store/
  
  Reply
Brandon December 30, 2012 3:05 am

I would imagine the answer is no, but have you ever encountered an issue with the bar clamps skipping backwards due to the wax? I have a few that will jump without the wax, but they are lesser quality clamps.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer December 30, 2012 6:47 am
  
  Hasnt really been an issue with the Jet and Bessey clamps I’ve owned.
  
  Reply
wes January 1, 2013 6:18 pm

I think I need an amazon wish list that is dedicated just to clamps, so I can see if they ever go down and price and get them when the do or if someone wanted to buy me a gift I have a place to point them to for ideas. It just seems with the variety and options I need something to help me keep track.

Reply
steve January 26, 2013 2:42 pm

the strongest and best clamps (by far) are wetzler clamps made in pa.

Reply
- Chris Giordano March 27, 2013 2:27 pm
  
  Wetzler clamp company has gone out of business :(
  
  Reply
Elijah April 12, 2015 10:23 pm

Mark, what kind of wax do you use to protect your clamps? Do you have to worry about getting wax on the hash marks on the top and bottom of the bar?

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo April 13, 2015 10:00 am
  
  Any cheap furniture wax you can find. Honestly I don’t give it much thought. Most wood gets processed after clamping so I don’t worry too much about transferring wax to the workpiece.
  
  Reply
Cory November 3, 2015 2:18 pm

Marc,

I just recently started frequenting your site as I am expanding my (very modest) woodshop and tool collection and have started taking on some tougher projects. The review on clamps is great, but I was curious if you still recommended Jet clamps over Bessey? From my understanding there has been significant changes to the Bessey clamps in the last 8 years. My research show the Bessey are quite a bit cheaper. Are the Jets worth the extra money? I need some parallel clamps badly and am trying to decide which way to go.

Your site is so helpful and has given me so many new ideas already. Thanks for all the work you put in!

Cory

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 3, 2015 2:41 pm
  
  I still prefer the Jet. If for one reason, they have locking heads. Meaning, as you move the clamps around, the heads don’t just drop down and crush your hand. You have to release a trigger to make the head move. I find this incredibly handy. Other than that, I think the Besseys are quite comparable.
  
  Reply
  - Cory November 10, 2015 10:18 am
    
    Thanks Marc I appreciate the feedback.
    
    Reply
Tom November 27, 2015 5:06 pm

Hi Marc,

Thanks for the great video. I just invested in some Jet parallel clamps. When you say “wax” the clamps, is there a certain wax / technique you can recommend?

Thanks,

Tom

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 27, 2015 9:04 pm
  
  Nothing in particular other than a cheap paste wax of some sort. Just slather it on and wipe the excess off.
  
  Reply
Nick February 29, 2016 4:52 am

Do you have some updated recommendation on clamps? I picked up some Bessy Parallel Revo Clamps, Irwin XP600 clamps and a couple of Emerson guide clamps on sale. I was looking for deep throat F clamps and I cannot find the Blue Rockler clamps. For some reason the longer clamps where on sale for cheaper, so most of the good clamps I picked up are 48″ or longer, which is what I need at the moment, but I would like to replace my collection of C clamps… I have come up with some rigs with them, but watching good clamps used in the right way is pushing me towards enhancing my collection with good clamps.

Reply
Joe Reinhart February 16, 2017 8:02 am

What is the throat depth on the 6″ and the 12″ F-clamps? Also, are the clutch type clamps best?

Reply
Talbert McMullin March 12, 2017 4:25 pm

Saw some really nasty reviews with supporting photos on Amazon. Are you sure those Jet clamps are up to snuff? I have a big Jet bandsaw that will probably never die and have no complaints. I’m really surprised. If I’m gonna spend THAT much money, I want top notch clamps.

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo March 12, 2017 5:56 pm
  
  I don’t blame you. I have had my clamps for quite some time so I can only vouch for the quality as it was at the time of their production. I don’t know of any manufacturing issues per se, but that doesn’t mean that something hasn’t changed in the years since I bought mine. While I don’t doubt some people are getting bad product (I’d assume they aren’t lying), I haven’t heard from any woodworkers in the circles I run complaining about them. And given how much I use those clamps on the show, folks would be quick to tell me if they had problems with them.
  
  Reply
Greg J Powers March 1, 2018 5:08 pm

Jet Parallel clamps are a great clamp and I have bought more than I should. I love all the features that you mention in your video. Even the plastic handles, they do allow you to get a firm grip when tighten the clamps.

The only downside of the Jet Parallel Clamps is there are NO REPAIR PARTS available.

I recently knocked a 24″ Parallel clamp off the table and broke the plastic handle. It broke just below where the metal, end inside where the handle, is attached to the acme threads. I checked the Jet Parts store where I was referred to eReplasment Parts. But could not find any repair parts for the Jet Parallel Clamps. This was very disappointing as so of the longer clamps cost a $100 plus.

So I guess I will resort to making a hardwood handle and attaching it to the acme threads. Hope my hardwood handle is more durable then the plastic handle. Or maybe I should just buy a 12″ parallel clamp for spare parts?

Reply
tubegalore December 3, 2019 6:30 am

One of the things I like best about this show is how Marc will provide multiple ways to approach a project, offering advice or suggestions on tools or techniques to use in case you don’t have a fully-loaded shop like he does. I’ve learned quite a bit on how to take my amateur woodworking skills to the next level, without necessarily buying all kinds of tools he has–but it is enjoyable to see all of his nice tools in action too! I think the production value is great, the material is very approachable, and like that he doesn’t take himself or the show too seriously. Thank you Marc!

Reply

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12 – A Guide to Woodworking Clamps

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