The Essential Clamps Every Woodworker Needs

When you first start looking for clamps, it is easy to see how you can spend a small fortune outfitting your shop. The nice thing is, you don't need a lot of clamps to do some great woodworking. In this video, Bryan looks at a basic set of clamps to get any woodworker started, and then how to add more power and capability as your projects get larger and you expand in your ability.

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[lakesidewoodcrafter]

Great video I like the “get 4 of the same clamps” tip. when I first started I just bought a pack of two of each type but found I really needed an extra two of each to clamp up my projects.

[mikecurtin]

A very good video. To get even more use out of a spring clamp, another tip is to cut a short length (the width of the clamp's opening plus a couple of inches) of bicycle inner tube and stretch it over the tips, then bend it back in toward the spring. Very useful for adding hardwood edge banding. I may have gotten this tip from one of your previous videos.

[MrJKellerLewis]

Nice advice on 4 of each. Where are the parallel clamps?

[geico]

Time for me to get the pipe and/or aluminum clamps, after watching I think I'll skip the pipe ones and go straight for the aluminum, unless I need a lot of length pipe clamps won't matter, I think:)

[tratzum]

I don't suppose there is plans for that desk in the background?
Oh great clamp video.

[JSCRocketScientist]

I’ve used bar clamps for 40 years and adore them. They never bend and you can swap out the long pipes for short ones and have a wide variety of lengths without buying new clamp jaws. I have only ever used black pipe with them. Recently many of them have begun slipping. Do I need new clamps, new pipes, or is there an adjustment I can do?

[JoshMG]

I was told never to use black pipe because I’d you get glue on it, that it can seep “deep” into your wood leaving an awful stain. I was told galvanized pipe was always the way to go. Thoughts?

[juliantaylor]

Great video.
In Australia one store has a 39” bar clamp
Is that worth getting along side the 6”, 12” & 24”
Or is it better to skip that one and go straight to the pipe clamps

[juliantaylor]

As far as pipe clamps I’d buy 4 sets of jaws to make 4 clamps as far as ratio goes in this video

What basic lengths do you keep on hand and would you recommend to get 4 of each lengths?

[taller.woodfriends]

Does anyone know what type of thread the tube to connect must have? (bsp, bsf, bspp, bspt, nps, npt thanks

[mdavidf]

Steve Ramsey says you only need a maximum of nine clamps ;-)

[HeatherTheHippyGardener]

I bought a 4-in BESSEY clamp like those at HD and it doesn't even work. My first BESSEY, not a good 1st impression.

[lianium]

I made a heavy-duty F clamp with a creative gripping mechanism .Here is the link: