what clamps for someone with not many!

[Homerjh]

I have some F clamps, but no more.

So what ones do you all find useful for most of your clamping work?

I will be using it t o glue wood and keep it stable, attach to workbench for saw ing and keeping wood stable.

No idea what style, make or material is generally thought asdecent quality.
Ta

 

[woodpig]

For small ones I really like these.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/bessey-lmu-bar-cramp-25236

 

[undergroundhunter]

I bought 2 sets of the Aldi F clamps when they were on offer in the summer they are fine for what I need them for (only hobby work), other than that I use some ally sash clamps from The Range with a piece of soft wood up the center (for rigidity and extra weight) and leather pads on the clamp heads. I think they were £9.99 for the 900mm one and maybe £11.99 for the 1200mm ones. I do have 2 old record sash cramps that were my father-in-law's (aprox 1200mm long) but they are T section and weigh a tone. Some people don't like the ally ones but I built my laminated workbench with them no problems.

There is only one rule with clamps and that is you will never have enough!.

Matt

 

[Giff]

+1 for the Aldi's they pop up every couple of months or so..

 

[mouppe]

100% agree with the previous posts- the Dubuque aluminium bar clamps are well-priced and strong enough for most needs. In the UK you can get them from other manufacturers- search for aluminium sash clamps.

I also like to have a few Irwin quick clamps around, and some pipe clamps for the really long clamping needs. I consider Bessey to make the best clamps, and have a few of their F-clamps.

 

[Doug B]

I've found buying cheap clamps means buying twice, admittedly my clamps get a lot of use but having had a cheap one fail mid glue up was enough to convince me that Bessey was the way forward, I've never had a Bessey fail.

 

[John15]

For occasional Hobby use I also find the aluminium sash clamps do the job OK and are fairly cheep to buy off Ebay. I have four or five of each size from 600 to 1500mm. My main criticism of them is that with use some of the screw-end jaws don't tighten up square.

John

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Irwin quick clamps for smallish stuff round the bench. Plus those really small bessey L clamps.
For all glue-ups 500 and bigger...Bessey.

 

[Rhossydd]

Bessey clamps seem to be the most recommended brand by professional users. The problem is that they are mostly VERY expensive.
What clamps you'll need is dependent on the types of work you'll need them for, but it's pretty much a rule that you can't have too many.
You can get away with cheaper clamps if you're not expecting them to have to do the hard work pulling wood into shape. Quite often for normal cabinet making all you need them for is to hold pieces together whilst glue sets, so lighter pressures are not only acceptable, but preferable as there's less tendency to squeeze glue out of the joint. For this type of work Klemmsia clamps work admirably, plus are cheap and don't need any packing pieces to prevent marking the wood being clamped.
The Adli/Lidl speed & F clamps mentioned above are great value and really useful when available. Someone here usually heads up their forthcoming availability as specials and it's a no-brainer to pick up a few sets. Well worth waiting for.

 

[dzj]

For attaching things to your bench, a holdfast or two is nice to have.

Yes, having a lot of good quality clamps makes things go more smoothly.
But don't be put off if you have but a few. I've seen Japanese woodworkers using rope instead.
Traditionally a variety of wedges have been used for clamping purposes and if you use hot hide glue
you can get away with hardly any.
As mentioned above, the type, the amount and quality depends on the kind of work you'll be doing.

 

[Rhossydd]

For attaching things to your bench, a holdfast or two is nice to have.

I'd agree a bench holdfast is a hugely useful tool to have (Is it a clamp ? I suppose so). With an extra collar to allow it to be used in more than one location, they're vital for work holding.
I use the old record one, but Axminster sell their own version of it http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-bench-clamp

I've seen Japanese woodworkers using rope instead.

An easier modern alternative is to use nylon ratchet straps. Particularly useful for larger items. You might also needs some packing to prevent edge damage, but a useful and dirt cheap tool to have at your disposal.