Woodworking clamps are essential tools for home use and professional projects. Anyone who works with wood will benefit from using a woodworking clamp.
A woodworking clamp has super strong jaws that tightly grip onto a workbench and a workpiece like a vice so that your chosen item stays securely in position. Once you have attached the clamps, you can cut the wood with a hand saw or a miter saw, stain the wood with a beautiful wood stain, or smooth the wood to a silky smooth finish.
Ultra-versatile, a woodworking clamp can also be used for other types of materials: metal, plastic, glass, paper, or canvas. So whether you are a carpenter, cabinetmaker, furniture restorer, DIY enthusiast, picture framer, hobbyist, photographic enthusiast, or mechanic, you will be able to work smarter.
There are lots of woodworking clamps available in different designs and sizes. This buying guide covers the most commonly used clamps and contains all the necessary information you need to find the right woodworking clamps that are tailor-made for your needs.
The 10 Best Woodworking Clamps
- WORKPRO Spring Clamp 16-Piece Set
- Jorgensen Bar Clamp 2-Pack Set
- Bessey BPC-H34 H-Style Pipe Clamp (Our Top Pick)
- IRWIN QUICK-GRIP Woodworking Bar-Clamp 4-Pack
- Housolution Right Angle Woodworking Clamps
- Feiyang Miter Spring Clamp Kit
- E-TING 201B Toggle Clamps
- Kreg KHC-Premium Face Woodworking C-Clamp
- TEKTON 4022 5-Inch Malleable Iron C-Clamp
- POWERTEC 71017 Quick Release Band Woodworking Clamp Strap Holder
Our Top Pick for the Best Woodworking Clamps
Our top pick for the best woodworking clamps is the Bessey BPC-H34 H-Style Pipe Clamp.
We highly recommend the Bessey pipe clamp for any projects that you have planned. For over 100 years, Bessey has been setting the standards in quality user-friendly hand clamping tools that come at an affordable price.
When you use the Bessey clamps, you can rely on them to maintain a rock-solid grip on a workpiece and protect the beautiful wood grain at the same time.
Check the price on AmazonHow to Choose the Best Woodworking Clamps
Types of Woodworking Clamps
– C-Clamp
A C-clamp is one of the most commonly used woodworking clamps. It is ideal for woodworking tasks, general carpentry, and even metalworking. The clamp’s C shape also gives you extra room to maneuver a larger piece of wood underneath the clamp.
The problem associated with a C-clamp is that its jaw pressure may be reduced over time especially if you use it for heavy-duty use. If you prefer this type of clamp, it is a good idea to have a few clamps readily accessible in your workshop.
– Miter Clamp
Miter clamps or right angle clamps are specifically designed for people who need to make angled cuts such as a cabinetmaker, picture-framer, or people who work with a miter saw. The miter clamp holds two pieces of wood together at a 90° angle so you can cut cleanly and safely through the wood, create moldings, or let wood glue dry.
– Strap Clamp
If you are working with objects that have an irregular shape such as a circular design or a square picture frame, then the strap clamp is the tool for you.
A strap clamp such as the POWERTEC Clamping Strap Holder offers you full adjustability to suit your workpiece. It comes with a frame, clamping jaws, hand screws, and a band that can be used for square, round or rectangular shapes. The strap may lose its shape over time, so like the miter clamp, keep a few strap clamps in your workshop.
– Bar Clamp
A bar woodworking clamp is specifically designed for larger projects like making furniture or renovations which makes it an excellent investment for a cabinetmaker or a carpenter. This clamp has a sliding head that you can move along the bar to suit a short or long workpiece.
– Toggle Clamp
A necessary device for any woodworker, the toggle clamp is ideal for home use or industrial projects.
One of the most versatile clamps around, the toggle clamp can be fixed to a table or a bench or hold two pieces of wood together. Another major benefit you will gain from using the toggle clamp is that its handle comes in different designs such as horizontal, vertical, push-pull, or pull-action latching. These unique designs give you various holding capabilities on a wide range of materials.
– Pipe Clamp
A pipe clamp such as the Bessey H-shaped Clamp is very popular as it can be used for woodworking and metalworking. You can use it to clamp two wooden boards together as you wait for the glue to dry or attach a pipe to the back of the kitchen or bathroom cabinets.
– Spring Clamp
A spring clamp such as the Feiyang Miter Spring Clamp Kit is ideal for wood joinery such as holding a window frame while you nail the pieces of wood together or a picture frame while you wait for the glue to dry. You have to be careful when you use spring clamps as the steel may be thinner than other clamps and can bend out of shape over time.
Construction
Woodworking clamps are made out of metal, thermoplastic, or reinforced nylon. Avoid buying clamps that are made out of aluminum because the clamp can bend easily and break if used on thick wood.
High-carbon steel is a superior material for a woodworking clamp. Plastic or nylon clamps should be extra strong and flexible.
Jaw Size
The jaw size of a clamp relates to how wide the jaws can open. The jaw size may be 3-inches, 3.74-inches, or 12-inches. Jaws that are too small can damage the surface of your workpiece, while large jaws may not provide enough clamping power where you need it. If you need to work with thick workpieces, you will also have to check the depth of the jaws.
Clamping Pressure
Clamps can create different amounts of pressure which are measured in pounds (lbs). A clamp that has a working pressure of 15- or 198lbs is well suited for light to medium-duty projects. If you are working with large and thick workpieces, a clamp that has a clamping pressure of 600lbs is designed for tougher tasks.
Gripping Pads and Ergonomic Handles
A woodworking clamp may come with pads on the tip of the jaws. These pads not only grip onto a workpiece and help create a rock-solid hold but also stop the jaws of the clamp from damaging the material. An ergonomic padded handle also helps to reduce hand fatigue and ensure your safety.
10 Best Woodworking Clamps -Reviews
1. WORKPRO Spring Clamp 16-Piece Set
The WORKPRO Spring Clamp 16-Piece Set offers you lots of versatility for a range of applications such as woodworking, DIY home improvement projects, art backdrops, and photography.
The clamps are made from reinforced blue nylon and the springs are equipped with durable screws for long service life. Both the springs and screws have a black coating which also creates a tight hold on a workpiece.
With 3 jaw opening sizes, 2¼-inch, 1¾-inch, and 1⅜-inch, the WORKPRO clamps are suitable for most light to medium-duty woodworking needs.
The thick and soft red pads create the necessary friction to clamp onto objects securely and protect surfaces. As the pads are flexible, you can easily adjust them to different angles to suit irregularly shaped objects.
You will be able to work smarter as the ergonomic bi-material handle has an anti-slip textured surface that ensures a safe grip and reduces hand fatigue.
The large 16-piece set includes 3 different clamp sizes: six 3⅜-inch clamps, six 4½-inch clamps, and four 6½-inch clamps.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Perfect for woodworking, DIY home improvement projects, art backdrops, and photography
- Heavy-duty reinforced nylon
- Springs are equipped with durable screws
- Black coating creates a tight and long-lasting hold
- Three jaw opening sizes are suitable for most light-medium tasks
- Thick and soft pads clamp onto objects securely and protect surfaces
- Flexible pads can be adjusted to different angles
- Ergonomic handle has an anti-slip textured surface
- Large 16-piece set includes 3 different clamp sizes
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty woodworking tasks
- Pad can come off the clamps easily
2. Jorgensen Bar Clamp 2-Pack Set
The Jorgensen Bar Clamp 2-Pack Set is specifically designed for medium-duty clamping tasks, so it is ideal for woodworking hobbyists, carpenters, woodworkers, and metalworkers.
These bar clamps are made from strong rust-resistant steel with an orange-baked enamel finish for additional durability. Featuring a tough design, each clamp has a maximum jaw opening capacity of 12-inches, a throat depth of 2½-inches, and a whopping load-bearing limit of 600lbs.
You will be able to work faster as the clamps have a hardened steel plated multiple-disc-clutch sliding head that allows the sliding head to move the bar quickly and hold securely at any point.
Soft and durable protective pads provide a tight fit onto a workbench and stop your workpiece from getting damaged. An easy-gripping rubber/plastic handle on the top of the clamp allows for comfortable handling.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Good price
- Ideal for hobbyists, carpenters, woodworkers, metalworkers, and professional tradespeople
- Designed for medium-duty projects
- Strong rust-resistant steel
- Orange baked enamel finish for additional durability
- Throat depth of 2½-inches
- Maximum jaw opening capacity of 12-inches
- Massive load limit of 600lbs
- Multiple-disc-clutch sliding head design
- Soft and durable protective pads
- Comfortable easy-gripping rubber/plastic handle
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty tasks
- Rubber pads can leave a stain on some types of wood
3. Bessey BPC-H34 H-Style Pipe Clamp
The Bessey BPC-H34 H-Style Pipe Clamp offers plenty of task versatility for DIY enthusiasts, professional carpenters, and metalworkers.
Excellent tools for your workshop, the Bessey pipe clamps have a ¾-inch jaw opening that accommodates thick wood or steel. The sturdy dual-axis foot assembly stabilizes the clamps and stops them from tipping over. A high base design provides industry-leading clearance underneath your workpiece.
You can use these 2 pipe clamps along with other H-style pipe clamps to attach galvanized steel pipes to the back of a kitchen cupboard.
The clamps are made from solid steel with zinc-plated components and a durable cast jaw that tightly grips a workpiece. For smooth working action, the spindle has a black oxide-coated threaded spindle and soft protective pads prevent any damage to the wood.
Crank-style handles allow for quick adjustability and provide good workspace clearance when you open and close the jaws on the clamps.
The pipe clamps also come in a 2-pack and a 4-pack.
Bessey offers a limited lifetime warranty on the woodworking clamps.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Affordable price
- Ideal for DIY renovations, professional carpenters, and metalworkers
- H-shaped foot assembly provides sturdy dual-axis stability
- High base provides industry-leading clearance
- Durable cast jaws have extra clamping strength
- Zinc plated clutch components
- Soft protective pads
- Black oxide coated threaded spindle has a smooth action
- Crank-style handle allows for quick adjustability and good workspace clearance
- Comes in a 2-pack and a 4-pack
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Threads on the shafts wear down quickly
4. IRWIN QUICK-GRIP Woodworking Bar-Clamp 4-Pack
Sturdy, compact, and easy to use, the IRWIN QUICK-GRIP Woodworking Bar-Clamp 4-Pack is specifically designed for people who have smaller projects planned.
The bright blue and yellow clamps are made from lightweight but super-strong reinforced resin. Hardened steel bars are durable and prevent flexing and bending. As the clamps have a compact 6-inch size, they are ideal for working with smaller items like a drawer or a picture frame.
Non-marring rubber cushioned pads protect the wood from scratches and scuffs but still provide a secure grip on a workpiece. One-handed quick grip triggers evenly distribute 140lbs of clamping force and release the clamps instantly.
You can choose from a 2-pack, 3-pack, 4-pack, or 5-pack.
IRWIN offers a full lifetime guarantee on the woodworking clamps.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Ideal for smaller workpieces and smaller workspaces
- Lightweight
- Super-strong and sturdy reinforced resin
- Non-marring cushioned pads grip firmly and protect your workpiece from scratches and scuffs
- QUICK-GRIP triggers evenly distribute 140lbs of clamping force and release the clamps instantly
- Easy to use
- Available in a 2, 3, 4, or 5-pack
- Full lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Can wear down with long-term heavy-duty use
- Screws can break down under heavy pressure
5. Housolution Right Angle Woodworking Clamps
If you are a home renovator, a professional cabinetmaker, or a picture framer, the Housolution Right Angle Woodworking Clamps is destined to be your go-to tool for all your woodworking projects.
This miter-style clamp allows 2 workpieces of different thicknesses to be joined at a 90° angle, which means it can be used for wood beam alignment, nailing, welding, screwing, or gluing.
Made from solid abrasion-resistant die-cast aluminum alloy, the clamp offers you long-lasting durability. The anti-skid design helps you to secure wood pieces quickly and its vise-like grip means can work in total safety without worrying about your clamp shifting out of position while you work.
The clamp has a maximum 2.68-inches clamping range, a jaw width of 3.74-inches, and a jaw depth of 1.4-inches, so it can also be used on steel rods, metal tubes, and thick glass panels.
Working with the Housolution clamp is a delight as the ergonomic rubberized TPR single handle fits well in your hand with no slippage. An adjustable swing rotary jaw design allows for a quick and easy single-handed two-way rotation.
The right-angle clamp is available with a T-shaped handle or a double handle, and in 4 stylish colors.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Must-have clamp for furniture makers, professional cabinetmakers, and picture framers
- Can be used on steel rods, metal tubes, and thick glass panels
- Durable premium aluminum alloy die-casting material
- Allows 2 wood blocks of different thicknesses to be joined at a precise 90° angle
- Ergonomic rubberized TPR single handle fits well in the hand with no slippage
- Adjustable rotary jaw to align and hold workpieces together securely
- Solid and anti-skid design
- Adjustable swing rotary jaw design allows for a quick and easy single-handed two-way rotation
- Available with a T-shaped or double handle
- Four stylish colors
Cons
- May crack thinner pieces of wood
- Pricey
6. Feiyang Miter Spring Clamp Kit
The Feiyang Miter Spring Clamp Kit is an excellent choice for picture frames, wood trims, moldings, hobby crafts, and compound miters.
One of the problems associated with making picture frames, moldings, or compound miters, is that the glue in the corners can open up if the wrong pressure has been applied. The Feiyang Spring Clamp System is an effective and economical tool that will help to solve this problem.
This kit contains 8 clamps and 1 plier which is ideal for most woodworking tasks. Made from solid 3mm thick rust-resistant spring steel, the clamps are extremely hard but still have the elasticity that is needed for repeated use. The jaws open up to 2-inches which is suitable for most woodworking tasks and their strong tightening pressure holds mitered corners securely in place.
Feiyang has upgraded its original thin plastic handle to a thicker thermoplastic rubber handle that is very comfortable to hold. The kit also includes 2 rubber bands that make the pliers rebound automatically if needed.
Large clamp sets are also available. A 12 clamp set, a 13 clamp set with a pair of pliers, and a 16 clamp set with a pair of pliers.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Good value for money
- Excellent price
- Great for picture frames, wood trim, moldings, and compound miters
- 3.5mm thick spring steel is strong, rust-resistant, and flexible
- Sharp points pierce the wood without cutting the wood fibers
- 2-inch jaws are ideal for most woodworking tasks
- Extra-strong tightening pressure holds mitered corners securely in place
- Upgraded ergonomic thicker thermoplastic rubber handle
- Easy to use
- Two rubber bands
- Available in a 12 clamp set, a 13 clamp set with pliers, and a 16 clamp set with pliers
Cons
- Too small for crown molding
- Clamps can stretch out of shape with long-term use
7. E-TING 201B Toggle Clamps
The E-TING 201B Toggle Clamps are essential tools for your jig assembly, tool fixtures, or movable bases.
Highly versatile, the E-TING toggle clamps can be used on wood, metal, and plastic.
Made from cold-rolled carbon steel with zinc plated corrosion-resistant coating, the E-TING clamps are strong and durable. Sturdy and efficient, these 6-inch clamps have adjustable rubber tips on the jaws which maintain their strong grip without any slippage.
You can use the E-TING clamps for small or medium-sized workpieces as they have an opening angle of 85°, a handle opening angle of 60°, and a holding capacity of 198lbs. As the clamps have a low-height design and mechanism, they allow for maximum clearance, which is extremely useful for raised paneling sheets.
For your comfort and additional durability, the handles have bright red vinyl grips that are oil and stain-resistant.
Although these toggle clamps are made for horizontal placement, their quick-release retractable clamp design makes it so easy to vertically remove a clamped item.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Very good price
- Can be used for wood, metal, and plastic
- Essential tools for a jig assembly, tool fixtures, and movable bases
- Can be used for small and medium-sized workpieces
- Cold-rolled carbon steel has a corrosion-resistant zinc-plated coating
- Adjustable rubber pressure tips create a strong hold with no slippage
- Comfortable bright red vinyl hand grips are oil and stain resistant
- Low height design and mechanism allows for maximum clearance
- Quick-release retractable design allows for vertical removal of a clamped item
Cons
- Not suited for heavy-duty professional projects
8. Kreg KHC-Premium Face Woodworking C-Clamp
The Kreg KHC-Premium Face Woodworking C-Clamp offers you a range of solutions for DIY home improvements, repairs, and hobby woodworking projects.
This large C-clamp is designed for creating perfectly flush individual joints and secures them while pocket screws are being driven into the wood.
You can work with larger pieces of wood up to 2¾-inches effortlessly as the extra-large steel jaws open up to 3-inches. Easy to use, the clamp has a simple screw assembly that can be quickly adjusted to match the thickness of your workpiece.
Large clamping pads evenly distribute clamping force across a workpiece. Its anti-marr design stops the wood from getting damaged when you tighten the jaws.
The thick padded blue handles are very comfortable to hold as you tighten and release the clamp.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Very good value for money
- Designed for DIY home improvement, repair, and hobby woodworking projects
- Easy to use
- Solid and sturdy steel
- Large C-Shape face designed creates perfectly flush individual joints
- Secures joints during pocket-screw joinery
- Extra-large jaws are perfect for thick workpieces
- Large clamping pads evenly distribute clamping force
- Simple screw assembly can be quickly adjusted to match the thickness of a workpiece
- Comfortable thick padded blue handles
Cons
- Pricey
- Padding on the handles can slip off
- Steel can rust easily
9. TEKTON 4022 5-Inch Malleable Iron C-Clamp
The versatile TEKTON 4022 5-Inch Malleable Iron C-Clamp is perfect for assembly, fastening, gluing, welding, metalworking, and automotive applications.
A dependable workhorse, the TEKTON C-clamp will make sure that your workpiece stays in place wherever you put it.
The heavy-duty cast malleable iron frame is sturdy and durable. Its wide 5-inch jaw opening and 2⅜-inches throat depth are well suited for working with thicker wood pieces.
The chrome-plated acme-threaded screw glides smoothly as you tighten it without sticking or binding. For a secure grip, the swivel jaw pad floats in a low-resistance ball-and-socket joint which ensures that pressure is applied evenly. You will have the best leverage you need as the sliding handlebar offers multiple hand positions.
TEKTON also makes the clamp in 8 other sizes, ranging from 1-inch to 12-inches. At such an affordable price, it is a good idea to invest in all the sizes just in case you need them.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Extremely versatile
- Perfect for assembly, fastening, gluing, welding, metalworking, and automotive applications
- Sturdy and durable cast malleable iron frame
- Acme-threaded screw glides smoothly without sticking or binding
- Swivel jaw pad and low-resistance ball-and-socket joint applies pressure evenly
- Sliding handlebar offers multiple hand positions for the best leverage
Cons
- Small silver platform at the end spins with the threading which makes it hard to get good torque action
- Heavy
10. POWERTEC 71017 Quick Release Band Woodworking Clamp Strap Holder
Whether you want to make a box for your prized wine collection, furniture, or a birdhouse, the POWERTEC 71017 Quick Release Band Woodworking Clamp Strap Holder provides amazing versatility for working with square, round, rectangle, and uniquely shaped workpieces.
This versatile clamp can be used for picture frames, cabinets, chair frames, drawers, barrels, birdhouses, and so much more. It fits well around just about any shape and offers dual adjustability to suit a workpiece. First, the quick-release levers allow for rapid adjustment. Secondly, the convenient hand screw lets you tighten and adjust the band’s tension with a few easy twists of the handle.
The hard plastic frame has strong clamping jaws and the non-marring design will not scratch or damage the wood. You can safely stretch the strap holder around a workpiece as the band is made from strong and flexible high-grade nylon webbing.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Ideal for any woodworking enthusiast
- Perfect for square, round, rectangle, and uniquely shaped workpieces
- Dual adjustability
- Quick-release levers allow for rapid adjustment
- Easy-to-use convenient hand screw for tightening and adjusting the band’s tension
- Durable hard plastic frame
- Non-marring clamping jaws provide a tight and secure grip
- Strong and flexible high-grade nylon webbing band
Cons
- Not ideal for very thick and large workpieces
- Clamp’s corner pieces can skew out of shape when the band is too tight
Our Top Pick for the Best Woodworking Clamps
Our top pick for the best woodworking clamps is the Bessey BPC-H34 H-Style Pipe Clamp.
We highly recommend the Bessey pipe clamp for any projects that you have planned. For over 100 years, Bessey has been setting the standards in quality user-friendly hand clamping tools that come at an affordable price.
When you use the Bessey clamps, you can rely on them to maintain a rock-solid grip on a workpiece and protect the beautiful wood grain at the same time.
Check the price on Amazon
