Woodworking clamps is useful tools, but they comes in many varieties. Spring clamps appear to be the simplest tool, featuring plastic jaws with a spring inside the clamp. However, spring clamps solve many of the most annoyingly problems in the workshop.
Compared to bar clamps, spring clamps are lighter and do not leave a scars on the project that metal clamps may leave behind. Despite their usefulness, spring clamps will never replace bar clamps in the workshop. However, once woodworkers gets used to using spring clamps, they will find themselves using spring clamps more frequent than they expect.
The value of spring clamps come from knowing which spring clamp to buy and how to use them properly. Spring clamps have different feature that make them ideal for specific projects. For example, some spring clamps has jaws that open very wide, while others have jaws that hold tight but with less pressure.
Spring clamp handles might also feature a trigger-like release that allow the clamp to be opened with one hand. Other feature include deep-throat designs for holding objects in the middle of a workpiece and corked jaws to protect delicate pre-finished surfaces from being dented during clamp use. Despite the variety in features, woodworkers should be cautious when using spring clamps to keep them from wearing out quick or becoming damaged due to improper use.
Different Types of Spring Clamps to Use
1. Inch Spring Clamps
The spring clamps that are available come in many sizes. The most common spring clamp is the 2-inch spring clamp. This spring clamp feature jaws that open about two inches.
These clamps use plastic pads that do not mar the wood grain when working with most type of wood. The spring tension is high enough to clamp a picture frame with a miter joint but light enough to clamp delicate veneer. Due to their low cost, losing one of these spring clamps is an inconvenience but not a ruin of the woodworker’s day.
A 2-inch spring clamp offer a balance of strength and convenience. Spring clamps that are larger than 2 inches are heavy when used for quick clamping job. However, spring clamps with a smaller opening will not be able to clamp the size of most woodworking project parts.
The 2-inch spring clamp can be useful for most woodworking projects; however, if an object is thicker than the clamp, the clamp will rock on the object instead of properly clamping it securely. In this case, using a different clamp will offer better results. Another type of spring clamp is the 1-inch micro spring clamp.
2. Inch Micro Spring Clamps
These spring clamps has tiny jaws that look like clothespins but can clamp small objects securely. These spring clamps are common among model makers or crafter who make boxes because they can clamp on the smallest of miters. The narrow size of the clamp will also allow it to be placed into tight spot in the project.
For instance, a woodworker can use these spring clamps to clamp on a small patch of wood on a chair leg. The major difference between a 1-inch micro spring clamp and a 2-inch spring clamp is the design of the spring. The shorter spring of a 1-inch clamp allow the clamp to exert more pressure on a smaller area.
This is helpful for delicate projects involving thin wood. However, since the clamp opening is small, it will not be able to clamp on wide board of wood. These spring clamps will come in handy for woodworkers who frequently work on small projects such as model airplanes or jewelry box.
3. Deep-Throat Spring Clamps
Deep-throat spring clamps are similar to 2-inch spring clamps but with an extended spring clamp body. This extended body allow the clamp’s jaws to open wide and clamp on an object’s middle while the clamp remain out of the way of the workpiece. Woodturners use deep-throat spring clamps to clamp on faceplates of wood while inserting screw.
Other artisan use them to clamp on the large edges of a wooden panel while placing edge banding on the project. These deep-throat spring clamps are slightly heavier due to their extended spring clamp bodies. However, their design allow for an even balance so that the clamp will not fall over while in use.
While standard spring clamps use plastic pad on their jaws, some deep-throat spring clamps use corked jaws to avoid denting the finished surface of the project. These spring clamps will come in handy for woodworkers who work on projects that require clamping on a wide panel such as cabinet. Another type of spring clamp is the heavy-duty 4-inch spring clamp.
4. Heavy-Duty 4-Inch Spring Clamps
These spring clamps are the strongest among spring clamp categories. They have thickened spring and jaws that can clamp on a chair leg while placing dowels into the leg. The handles on these spring clamps are longer than on other spring clamps to allow for better leverage when opening the clamp.
Additionally, these spring clamps are considerably lighter than a bar clamp so that they are useful when clamping on projects from awkward angle. The strength of these spring clamps will come at a cost. First, using these spring clamps will require woodworkers to have a stronger grip on the spring clamp.
This make these clamps unsuitable for woodworkers who have arthritis or weak grip strength. Second, the plastic spring clamps will fatigue if used for long periods. For projects that require medium strength but more speed than pipe clamps, spring clamps in this category is worth having in the workshop.
5. Parallel-Jaw Spring Clamps
The next variety of spring clamp is the parallel-jaw spring clamp. These spring clamps have flat jaws that remain in alignment when the clamp is opened or closed. This clamp is ideal for situations where the object to be clamped has a tapered shape because it will not rock on the object.
Examples of projects that would use these spring clamps include gluing a small drawer to a wooden cabinet. These spring clamps cost more than standard spring clamps and take up more space on the workbench. However, the even pressure distribution on these spring clamps justify the purchase price for woodworkers who do precision work.
These spring clamps can be found in the drawer where small, delicate projects is assembled. These spring clamps will not be used as often as other spring clamp varieties but come in handy when needed. Cushioned spring clamps has an extra pad on their jaws.
6. Cushioned Spring Clamps
The pad can be made of molded thermoplastic or genuine cork. This extra pad prevent the spring clamp from denting the wood, especially on softwood species such as pine or basswood. It also protects pre-finished wooden surfaces during assembly.
The cushioning on spring clamps will wear out with use. Most woodworkers will replace the cushion on the spring clamp rather than buying a new spring clamp. By making this habit, woodworkers can extend the life of their spring clamps to a decade instead of a couple of seasons.
7. Quick-Release Spring Clamps
Another development in spring clamp design is the quick-release spring clamp. These spring clamps used to require two hands to open them while gluing pieces of wood. However, with the quick-release design, spring clamps will open with one hand using a trigger-like release on the spring clamp handle.
This will come in handy when positioning the wooden project being clamped. This added feature will add a few ounce to the weight of the spring clamp. However, for the mid-size and larger spring clamps, the convenience of the quick release will become a habit that a woodworker will want to keep.
If the woodworker will be placing spring clamps on the project that require repositioning of the workpiece, it is worth purchasing these spring clamps. They will make it easier to clamp the project without tiring their knuckle. Spring clamps are also useful for holding items on the drill press or router table.
Since spring clamps are light and have less coverage of the project, they will not interfere with the drill or router bit. However, the body of the clamp must be ensured to have enough clearance from the spinning bit to avoid clipping the spring clamp on the project. When using spring clamps, it is important to ensure that the clamp chosen has the proper size for the job.
Using a clamp that is too small will not hold the workpiece; a clamp that is too large will become clumsy when added to a project. With time using spring clamps, the woodworker will have an instinct of which spring clamp is best for which project. In order to extend the life of spring clamps, woodworkers should avoid leaving spring clamps in the same position on a project for several week.
Additionally, glue squeeze-out on spring clamps should be wiped off before the glue dries. Finally, to avoid tangling the spring clamps’ long spring bodies, woodworkers should hang their spring clamps on the pegboard instead of leaving them in the drawer. Spring clamps will never be able to replace a parallel-jaw bar clamp for large projects or a vacuum bag for veneering.
However, spring clamps may be the best choice for a woodworker who values speed in adding up the time to complete a project. Once woodworkers become accustomed to their use, they will find opportunities to use spring clamps in various woodworking projects. The best spring clamps are the spring clamps that woodworkers keep within easy reach because they have come to enjoy using them.
They will turn awkward moments in the workshop into simple moments. Spring clamps also will give woodworkers one less tool to fight when they are focused on their projects. By selecting a few spring clamps that the woodworker enjoys using the most, placing them within easy reach of the woodworker’s hands, they will see how often these spring clamps will become their favorite tool in the workshop.
