9 Types of Clamps: Which Do You Need?

Knowing the basic parts of a typical clamp helps you understand how these tools work and how to match their functions to your work:

• Jaws: The parts that directly touch the workpieces
• Bar or Body: The part that supports the jaws
• Throat: The open space created by the jaws and bar or body
• Clamping Mechanism: The component that brings the jaws together

These specifications give you common factors to compare different clamp types:

• Clamping Force: The maximum holding power a clamp applies
• Maximum Jaw Opening: The material thickness a clamp accepts
• Throat Depth: The material height or width a clamp accepts

The design of a clamp also affects its capabilities. For example, metal components typically mean more clamping force. Clamps with larger jaws distribute force more evenly for a better grip and less risk of damage.

On a bar clamp, a sliding arm/movable jaw assembly travels along the bar and locks in place to hold the workpieces against a fixed jaw. Turning a threaded rod tightens the movable jaw against the workpieces or decreases the clamping force. A spring lever on the sliding arm allows you to quickly release the clamp. Bar clamps are also known as F-clamps or speed clamps.

Bar Clamp Features:

• High clamping power
• Fits different shapes
• Accepts a wide range of thicknesses
• Reduced damage risk with non-marring pads

Common Uses for Bar Clamps:

• Woodworking
• Metalworking

A parallel jaw clamp functions like a standard bar clamp, with a bar, a fixed jaw, a sliding arm/movable jaw assembly and a release lever. However, the jaws are larger and, as the name indicates, they remain parallel to each other, helping keep the workpieces squared. Typically, you can reverse the sliding arm so the device can work as a spreader to keep workpieces separated.

Parallel Jaw Clamp Features:

• High clamping power
• Even pressure distribution
• Reduced damage risk with non-marring jaws

Common Uses for Parallel Jaw Clamps:

• Woodworking
• Cabinetry
• Furniture making
• Wood laminating and veneering

A metal body or frame forms the throat and fixed jaw on a C-clamp. A threaded rod fitted with a pivoting jaw runs through the frame, tightening the workpieces against the fixed jaw or reducing the clamping force.

C-Clamp Features:

• High clamping force
• Fits different shapes
• Strong and durable
• Economical

Common C-Clamp Uses:

• Metalworking
• Welding
• Woodworking
• Automotive projects
• General DIY work

A trigger clamp features parallel jaws like a parallel jaw clamp. The sliding arm/movable jaw assembly travels along the bar to hold the workpieces against the fixed jaw at the end of the bar. A trigger ratchets the sliding arm along the bar to increase or reduce the clamping force. The sliding arm is usually reversible, allowing for use as a spreader.

Trigger Clamp Features:

• One-handed operation
• Even pressure distribution
• Reduced damage risk with non-marring pads

Common Uses for Trigger Clamps:

• Hobbies
• Crafts
• Model making
• Light woodworking

As the name implies, a spring clamp relies on a built-in spring for clamping power. Squeezing the handles opens the clamp, while releasing them clamps the workpieces together. The clamping power on this type isn’t adjustable since it depends on the strength of the spring.

Spring Clamp Features:

• Fast, one-handed operation
• Economical

Common Spring Clamp Uses:

• Hobbies
• Crafts
• Model making
• Light DIY projects

A ratcheting hand clamp has a design like a spring clamp but it’s adjustable and doesn’t use a spring to secure items. Pressing the handles together locks the jaws against the workpiece and determines the clamping force. A lever releases the clamp to adjust the clamping force, reposition the clamp or remove it.

Ratcheting Hand Clamp Features:

• Fast, one-handed operation
• Jaws stay square to each other
• Fits over obstacles
• Fits different shapes

Common Uses for Ratcheting Hand Clamps:

• Crafts
• Hobbies
• DIY projects
• Light woodworking

A face clamp has a jaw and throat design like a ratcheting hand clamp. The handles lock the jaws onto the workpieces, while a screw on one handle adjusts the clamping pressure. A quick-release lever opens the jaws to reposition or remove the clamp.

Face Clamp Features:

• One-handed operation
• High clamping force
• Evenly distributes pressure

Common Uses for Face Clamps:

• Joinery
• Woodworking

Angle and corner clamps hold two workpieces together at a 90-degree angle. A threaded shaft moves one jaw to apply and adjust the clamping force that holds the pieces against the fixed jaw. This type of clamp typically has screw holes or included C-clamps to secure it to a work surface.

Angle Clamp/Corner Clamp Features:

• Secures butt joints, miter joints and, depending on the design, T-joints
• Leaves the joint visible to allow nailing or stapling

Common Uses for Angle/Corner Clamps:

• Woodworking
• Joinery
• Cabinetry
• Frame making

A pipe clamp set turns a spare metal pipe into a clamp. The fixed jaw and sliding arm components fit onto a length of pipe. The sliding arm moves along the pipe to engage the workpiece. A threaded rod turns the movable jaw to increase or decrease the clamping force.

Pipe Clamp Features:

• Works with nearly any size workpiece
• Available for different pipe diameters

Common Uses for Pipe Clamps:

• Woodworking
• Metalworking
• General DIY