99% of Beginners Don't Know Which Clamps to Buy and AVOID!

▼EXPAND FOR TOOL LINKS and INFO▼ Watch Next = How to use a Router | Woodworking Guide for Beginners -https://youtu.be/xLxCEBb-74s 🛠 Tools In This Video Irwin Squeeze Clamps - amzn.to/3sZW7mh Bessey Squeeze Clamps - amzn.to/3T3PVEx Irwin F-Clamps - amzn.to/47DbKze Jorgensen F-Clamps - amzn.to/47JItCT Bessey 3/4 inch bar clamps - amzn.to/3N7FI5W 3/4 x 36 Inch Pipes - amzn.to/3GpkbSz Harbor Freight Bar Clamp - sovrn.co/tna36a6 Corner Clamps (Amazon) amzn.to/46Jv0K1 Corner Clamps (TayTools) lddy.no/1iq4k Spring Clamps - lddy.no/1iq4l Spring Clamp with Band - amzn.to/3QXzEy0 Face Clamp - amzn.to/41cD6tt Pocket Hole Corner Clamp - amzn.to/3RroLWE Dovetail Clamps with Bit - amzn.to/3R5MmuL Screw Clamps - amzn.to/483PrCF Bessey Parallel Clamps - amzn.to/3Na1NBc Harbor Freight Parallel Clamps - sovrn.co/uyxpiru Rockler Parallel Clamp Rack - amzn.to/3RqeclR Rockler Pipe Clamp Rack - amzn.to/3QZIRpI Rockler F-Clamp Rack - amzn.to/3RdzrqW My Favorite Work Clothes - truewerk.pxf.io/GmbJjE The full list of tools and supplies I recommend can be found on my website: www.731woodworks.com/recommended-tools Join the TUBAFOUR NATION through Patreon to get access to exclusive member only behind the scenes videos, member only livestreams, exclusive discounts, and other cool member only perks! www.patreon.com/731woodworks If you use one of these Amazon and other affiliate links, I may receive a commission on qualifying purchases. Some other useful links: Daily Tool Deals on my website: www.731woodworks.com/tool-deals Subscribe to our email Newsletter to get new content alerts, sales, and more! mailchi.mp/7e44c16eefdc/731-woodworks-email-newsle… Easy to Follow Build Plans - www.731woodworks.com/store Outlaw's Board Butter - So Good it Should be Outlawed: www.731woodworks.com/store/boardbutter

Some pipe clamp tips: I put myself through school working in a furniture mill. I ran the door crew, where we made approximately 120 raised-panel doors each day. That's a lot of glue ups! We used nothing but pipe clamps (parallel clamps weren't common back then). Here are some suggestions for getting the most out of your pipe clamps: First, buy the kind of pipe clamps that have feet. These are sometimes called H-style pipe clamps. The biggest complaint with pipe clamps in doing a panel glue up is that the clamps keep falling on their side. The pipe clamps with feet address that problem. Second, buy the same kind of pipe clamps. It's not necessary to buy the same brand, but buy ones that are compatible with each other. When the clamps are set up on your table, the pipes should all be the same height off the table. This will make glue ups easier. Third, you can save some money by using 1/2" pipe clamps instead of 3/4" pipe clamps. This is typically a false economy. One of the advantages of pipe clamps is that you can do larger glue ups by simply using longer pipe. There's too much flex in 1/2" pipe for glue ups of over 4 feet. Fourth, pipe clamps come with rubber or plastic clamping pads that slip over the jaws of the clamps. Glue the pads onto the jaws. You'll loose them otherwise. When the pads are torn off the jaws, make yourself some replacements from 1/4" plywood. Fifth, put a heavy coat of paste wax on the pipe. It will make it easier to clean off glue. Sixth, you'll find you want several different clamp lengths. For clamp lengths you use often, it makes sense to have a number of clamps of those lengths ready to go. For lengths you use rarely, it's cheaper to simply store those lengths of pipe in your shop. For example, when I made my large assembly table, I needed four 8' pipe clamps. I bought four 8' lengths of 3/4" black pipe and borrowed the clamps from some of my 36" pipe clamps. When I was through with that project, I removed the clamps from the pipes and reinstalled them on the 36" pipes. The 8' sections of pipe are stored above the rafters in my shop. I've used them a few times since then for other projects, but it makes more sense (and takes up less room) to store them as bare pipe than to store them as pipe clamps. Finally, if you're going to be doing a lot of panel glue ups, make yourself a gluing rack. The rack is made from two 2x4s about 4' long that are screwed on edge to a piece of 1/4" plywood that's about 36" wide. On the top edge of each 2x4 (the edge that isn't screwed to the plywood), cut a series of slots centered about 4" apart along the length of the 2x4s. Each slot should be just wider than the pipe in your pipe clamps and deep enough that pipe sticks up about 1/8" above the 2x4 when the pipe is laying in the slot. So, for 3/4" pipe, you'd make the slots about 5/8" deep and about 13/16" wide. To use, lay two or more pipe clamps in the slots across the two 2x4s. Space the clamps apart as needed for your glue up. The gluing rack will keep each of your clamps parallel to each other and the same height off your bench. Once the clamps are initially snugged up, between each pair of pipe clamps on the bottom, lay another pipe clamp across the top of your glue up. Then tighten all the clamps. Once the clamps are tightened, you can remove your project from the rack and proceed with your next glue up. Using this method, a team of two on my crew could easily glue up 40 pairs of doors in an hour.

Number 1 rule of clamps: No matter how many you have, it's never enough.... When starting out, it's a problem, because clamps are SO expensive. Now that I've been doing it a while, I've built up a pretty big collection.

One more comment, the beauty of pipe clamps is that you can get multiple pieces of pipe and use the same clamps. I have a half dozen 3/4" pipe clamps, but I have six sections of pipe in 12",24", 48" and 96" lengths.

I’ve been a follower for you for quite some time and enjoy your content videos. However, I have one issue with this video. The Harbor Freight F clamp twist. I’ve used these clamps for quite some time without having an issue. What you showed was from over-clamping. When doing glue ups, apply only enough pressure to allow an even squeeze out. Then add a gentle touch more. If your joints are properly done you don’t need any more than that. If you crank way past the squeeze out you start compressing the wood fibers. Panel glue up does not require gorilla force.

Squeeze clamps are about the most usable clamps made. You can use them to hang up laundry, close a bag of potato chips, hang up yard sale signs, or put up Christmas lights.

I agree with your recommendations with the exception of the Harbor Freight F clams. Their 6”-12” F clamps are outstanding for the price! The plastic tips will occasionally come off, but I just dab a bit of CA glue on the tips and you’ll never have them come off again. I’ve used them for years, I own tons of them and I believe I’ve only had to throw one away in all that time. You can buy them for as little as $2-5 each. I have some of their longer F clamps as well, don’t use them as much, but never had a problem with them bending on me, probably because I’m not as strong and muscular as you Matt! Also have the long aluminum clamps, but not sure what brand they are. Someone gave me about 20 of them, but I’ve never used them as I always pull out my pipe clams for longer glue ups. This same person gave me a box full of the old school wooden screw clamps in 6” & 12”, but I’ve never used them as I simply forget I have them, although they have great uses. I’ve never owned parallel clamps as pipe clamps have always worked for me, but maybe I’ll buy them one day after I stop buying so many tools I don’t need or use!

Thank you for all the detail information of the variety of clamps available that different uses.

I struggled with the harbor freight f clamp all day yesterday. Got in youtube for better clamps and you came through big. Thanks

Wonderful! I was thinking of a way to add clamps to my tool cart... Now I have a DIY solution! LOVE IT! Thank you!

Excellent! Couldn’t agree more! Your video took me down “clamp purchase” memory lane!

Thanks 👍 Matt! Everybody says you never have enough clamps. You took the time to explain what to use them for and what brands and sizes are the best, and what not to buy. I really appreciate that. Your videos are among the best on the web. 😊😊😊❤❤❤

Your channel has been wonderful for beginners like myself & getting started. I’ve built up a good mix of clamps the last couple months too, and your tool deals page has helped me save a ton along the way. Thanks for all the help you give, great video! 👍

I found this video so informative that I saved it for future reference. Matt, you have given me a ton of useful information to get me started. Thank you and 🤜

Congratulations on 500 thousand subscribers 👏 I loved this video, it really shows the difference among all the styles of wood clamps. Keep the great content and shoot for one million subscribers 🙂

I have some of the Brahman squeeze clamps and they are very nice. I agree 100% with the Jorgensen F clamps.

Thank you i am in the market for clamps great info

You can make really long pipe clamps at a very cheap price

For the F clamps, 100% agree with your analysis. I still get some bending in my Irwin F clamps. I will mention that the HF 6 inch F clamps are really handy to have and don't bend because of being shorter.

Thanks a lot for this one was very helpful!