How to Quick Adjust a Pipe Clamp

Pipe clamps apply bone-crushing pressure and if overtightened will cause the clamped wood to bow or cup.

Often used in woodworking, a pipe clamp is a tool comprised of two moving clamp heads fixed onto a threaded pipe. One clamp head is fixed on the end of the pipe, limiting its motion. The other clamp head can slide along the entire length of the pipe, making quick adjustments a breeze. Quick adjustments are most commonly made when a pipe clamp is under, or over-pinning the combing edges of clamped wood. A bulged or collapsed edge will form if the issue isn't immediately remedied. Fortunately, quick adjustments are straightforward and take only a few minutes to perform.

Things You'll Need

• level (optional)

Send to Phone

Brought to you by

Send to Phone

Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.

Send

A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.

Close

Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. Message and data rates may apply.

Instructions

1. Loosen the clamp head with a tightening crank by turning the handle counter-clockwise until it no longer turns.

2. Press the clamp-head release tab on the opposite clamp head and slide it away from the wood to disengage the entire pipe clamp.

3. Fit the clamp head with the tightening crank back onto the wood by centering the stock on the clamp.

4. Press the clamp release tab on the opposite clamp head and slide it to the wood until touching. Position the stock of the wood in the center of the clamp.

5. Inspect the final positioning of the pipe clamp. The pipe should run parallel to the clamped wood. Use a level if necessary.

6. Turn the tightening crack handle clockwise as tight as you can with only one hand.

Tips & Warnings

• Use multiple clamps, alternating clamp head direction, if you're clamping multiple pieces of lengthy wood together to apply even pressure.

• The clamp heads should generally be slightly larger than the stock of the wood being clamped; if the clamps are too small or way too large it could cause the wood to cup or bow. You can use spacers to add support between the wood and pipe if the clamps are too large, but you'll need to use larger clamp heads if they're too small.

• Don't force the tightening crank with both hands because it will cause the wood to bow or cup due to over-tightening.

References

• Wood Magazine: 3 Rules for Edge-Joining with Pipe Clamps
• Popular Mechanics: Eight Great Clamps and How to Use Them
• Just Clamps: Pipe Clamps