Woodworker’s Guide to Clamps

Get a grip without spending a bundle.

You can never have too many, but you have to start somewhere. Start here.

Woodworkers need clamps for an endless variety of tasks: securing project parts to the bench as they work on them, serving as a third hand, coaxing reluctant parts together, holding assemblies in place during a dry-fit and while glue dries…well, again, the list is endless.

That’s why you find such a large variety of clamp styles and sizes available. Don’t fret; you don’t need them all (yet). Start with our recommendations for building up an initial clamp collection. You’ll discover which ones you use most often, and which types you wish you had, so you can expand your selections accordingly.