What clamps should I buy?
Okay, so you’re starting to get into this hobby, and you hear you’re gunna need a few clamps. But holy smokers there’s so many different types of clamps out there and you can spend hundreds of dollars on them. So consider this my guide to getting started with clamps!
One of the trick with this one is that clamps of the same style from two different manufactures can be completely different and often the bargain brand is more trouble than it’s worth. There’s nothing worse than having a clamp break on you mid project. But there are some diamonds in the rough.
These are the clamps I recommend everyone have on hand. I generally only recommend you buy tools as you need them, but these I know you’re going to need, so you should have them on hand.
Quick clamps
These clamps are amazing. Their one handed operation makes them perfect for when you just need a hand. They’re a little spendy though, so you don’t need more than 4 I think. Having a pair of big ones and a pair of small ones is great. Again, brand matters, I’ve used the Harbor Freight versions and quickly checked them in the trash. I really like these ones.
Harbor Freight Bar clamps
These clamps are an INCREDIBLE value. They do come with some compromises though. They can flex a little with you really tighten them down, have pretty small contact points and the rubber protectors fall off before you get them home. BUT for when you simply need a lot of clamps, these are the best ones to buy IMO. I like buying them in 18” and 48” lengths and don’t bother with other lengths. Here they are on Harbor Freight’s website
Spring clamps
These 3” clamps come in remarkably handy for temporarily holding plywood together. I’ve got a whole bucket that I added bike tires to clamp on edge banding. I like to buy them in bulk, so they come out to only a couple of dollars each
These are one of those specialty clamps that I’ve found come in really useful for a handful of things, but mainly clamping down straight edges for circular saws (or a track saw if you have it). The low profile prevents the saw motor from getting in the way. Check them out here.
Right angle clamps
There are a lot right angle clamps out there, but these bracket style ones are my favorite. Other styles can be pretty finicky and probably aren’t straight. You could also make your own out of some plywood and some f style clamps, but I find that can end up being a 3 handed operating, so I think it’s worth having these around if you’re doing any sort of cabinet work. These ones from amazon do a fine job.
Blue painters tape
I use the blue painters tape trick ALL. THE. TIME. as a quick clamp. It’s perfect for small things that don’t need a lot of force. I find the 2 inch variety the most useful, even if it is a touch more expensive. Check them out here.
But what about this other kinda clamp!?
Totally! If you have one or many that you love, let me know in the comments below about why. There are soooo many clamps out there that meet all sorts of needs.