It is literally IMPOSSIBLE to get a woodworking or clamping job done without a clamper. Yes, you might get by one or two tasks but you won’t be able to get a project up and ready without one of these.
Clamps work as a substitute for your hands when you a bit too much to deal with. There’s only of them (hands) that you’ve got after all. These add stability to your unfinished project, keeps the workpieces from falling off while you’re still working on it.
They might all be the same, but the best C clamps pack more functionality than the others on the market. Here are a quick guide and a short list to have you up and ready with the most functional and ergonomic c clamp.
Best C Clamps in Town
Very few of the C-Clamps that you’ll find on the market will have durability issues. So, basing on the functionality that each clamp provides, I’ve listed down quite a few of them. This way you’ll find one that suits your choice quite quickly.
1. TEKTON Malleable Iron C-Clamp
Made in the USA
Everything That’s Great About It
It doesn’t necessarily mean that tools manufactured elsewhere are inferior to those manufactured in the states. But more or less all of the tools in the states have a perfect finishing, they don’t have rough edges or any form of protrusions. So, this isn’t an exception to that.
It holds on to the workpieces tightly without any probability of it slipping off or anything. Swivel jaw pads work amazingly in holding workpieces that make the surfaces unparallel. The jaws rest on a law resistance ball for 360 degrees rotation. To apply pressure, it utilizes a socket joint.
This clamp serves only one purpose but it can definitely be used in different scenarios like you could be using this for welding too. It can be done so because of the chrome plated Acme-threaded screw and the iron frame. Being chrome plated the hot debris flying off during welding won’t permanently stick to the screw.
When it comes to the versatility of this C Clamp has a level of its own. With a throat depth of 2-5/8 inches, it can gulp in a lot of the workpieces to hold on pieces far from the edge. You can find this clamp in different clamping capacities starting from 1 inch to 12 inches.
Things That you Might Just Not Like
Being malleable and cast the frame has questionable durability. These sorts of material usually have a limit to how much weight it can hold on to or how much pressure it can withstand over time.
2. IRWIN Tools QUICK-GRIP C-Clamp
Less torque greater pressure
Everything That’s Great About It
The I-beam or the handle of the clamp is significantly larger than usual. Having a larger handle means less effort on tightening the clamp. Thus, reducing the stress on yourself by increasing the clamping force by 50%.
Screw’s double threaded, this reduces the odds of the of your workpieces drifting away. Even the swivel is larger and takes up any required orientation. The versatility increases even more due to the entirety of the frame being made out of iron. The iron that can withstand the heat of welding.
Chances of scratches or marring on your workpieces is greatly reduced by the larger surface area of contact of the swivel pad.
Things That You Might Just Not Like
There have been a few complaints that clamps might have different faults at times. On multiple occasions buyers have complained that the threaded screws have rough edges at places, making it get stuck at times.
3. Bessey Double Headed C-Clamp
Unique
Everything That’s Great About It
Bessey’s unique innovation leads to an efficient variation of the old school c clamp, thus the double-headed c clamp. A great piece of equipment for lightweight woodworking and tinkering.
Swiveling top pad and spindle for rotating the handle give a lot to the versatility of the product. In the case of clamping workpieces with unparallel surfaces, the swiveling pad on top proves to be essential. Speaking of pads, this clamp is named double headed because of the fact that there’s two heads and pads below.
All of the heads have pads fixed to them. The pads ensure no marring, scarring or dents on your workpieces. The spindle that I’ve mentioned earlier increases the torque of nearly about 50%.
As for the frame, it’s been constructed out of cast alloy. Chrome-plated threaded screw teamed up with the cast alloy frame makes the clamp eligible for welding works. This is a huge plus point.
Things That You Might Just Not Like
The clamp has proven to be prone to rust. That’s a bummer.
4. Deep Throat U-Clamp
Takes it all in
Everything That’s Great About It
Eight and a half inches, that’s right eight and a half whole inches long throat. It’ll hold pieces that are eight inches off the edge. That’s what’s great about it. It’s only possible by Harbor Freight to think of such a design since they’re always so concerned about user’s need.
Everything else apart from the design is nothing out of the ordinary but not substandard in the meantime. The entirety of the clamp being made out of malleable steel, it can indeed take on some pressure. Even to prevent rust attacks there’s a powder coat finishing.
And for the convenience, there’s the obvious sliding T-handle like every other C-clamp. And all of this weighs up to 2.3 lbs.
Things That You Might Just Not Like
Being constructed out of malleable steel, there’s a limit to how much pressure it can withstand. There’s a bunch of cases where people have ended up breaking it.
5. IRWIN VISE-GRIP Original Locking C-Clamp
High-Grade Steel
Everything That’s Great About It
This here is an 11-inch C-Clamp by vise grip which obviously comes with their trademark vise grip. Having the vise grip makes you tinkering experience way lot easier than you could possibly have thought. How? Spinning a screw lets you adjust the jaw gap and even more, you can loosen it by just pressing the tip of the lower handle.
As for the material that is been constructed out of, it’s an alloy steel. It’s a high-grade one at that which even went through heat treatment to boost its durability and rigidity.
Unlike many other C-Clamps that you’ve seen, this one comes with swivel pad on both jaws. Yes, it’s not that uncommon among C-Clamps, but models do miss out on this. This makes it easier to clamp down an object that’s in a bit of an unparallel situation.
Things That You Might Just Not Like
The swivel pads on this don’t have any soft pads attached. This might come backbiting you with marks or dents on your planks.
Guide to Best C Clamps
Here are a few effective tips to keep you company. This way you won’t be lost in finding your next C Clamps.
Material
Steel…… one-word “STEEL”, that’s the best when it comes to rigidity. Yes, the steel ones do cost a bit more and even might seem expensive. But it’ll be worth every penny when you’ll be using it for years having your clamp undamaged.
You’ll find many aluminum clamps that might be cheaper but it’ll bend right away.
Brand
Brand value is always a priority. Top brands have their products go through intense quality control before they land on the market. IRWIN and Vise-Grip are two of the kingpins in clamp universe.
Swivel Pads
Yeah, do keep it in mind. Most come with swivel pads except for a few. One that has swivel pads makes working a lot easier. The work exquisitely on holding workpieces that are in a bit of an awkward position.
Adjustable Jaw Length
Quite a few of C-Clamps that have a fixed jaw length, like pliers. But these are a huge no-no. Having adjustable jaw length makes it possible for you to get a grip on the pressure that the clamps applying. And even it makes clamping a bit quicker.
Quick Release
You’ll see some clamps that have a quick press button that releases the clamp instantly upon being pressed. This makes clamping a one-handed job and you work a lot easier.
Conclusion
Trying imagining a scenario where you’re having to hold on to a workpiece with one hand and nailing it to another with the other hand. C clamps offer a lifetime pass on such situations. These eventually become your auxiliary hands.
The best c clamps have a lot more functionality than the rest. By functionality, I am meaning one-handed using, quick release, adjustable jaw and a lot more.
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