How to Use Wood Clamps

Wood clamps are essential tools when woodworking. There are different clamps that you can use depending upon the project. Pipe clamp tools are great to use for moderate to heavy projects. The following will show you how to use a pipe wood clamp.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood clamps
• Wood

1. Purchase the head and tail-stock portion of a pipe clamp.

2. Decide what size pipe you will need for the job you are doing and buy the metal pipe the length that you will need.

3. Loosen the attachment screws on the pipe clamp and place the clamp onto the desired length of pipe. Tighten the attachment screws.

4. Place the piece or pieces of wood between the jaws of the pipe clamp.

5. Crank the clamp tight against the wood by turning the adjusting crank to close it.

Tips & Warnings

• For smaller jobs that require less heavy duty pressure clamps, use a bar clamp, which are sold as one unit and use a smaller metal bar instead of a metal pipe as pipe clamps do. You may need to use several bar clamp tools if gluing an item such as a chair that has many pieces that require gluing.
• You can also use a belt clamp, which is made of nylon and can be clamped around a large piece or pieces of wood to apply pressure all around the piece or pieces.
• Use a makeshift clamp with a pair of pliers if you don't have access to a wood clamp. Clamp the pliers on the wood and wrap a rubber band around the handles to hold it tight. If the wood finish needs to be protected, put a piece of scrap wood between the wood and the jaws of the pliers.
• To keep the clamps from damaging or staining the wood finish on your project, use a hand saw to slice a roll of wax paper in slices so that it rolls out into 2-inch strips. Wrap these strips around the bar of your pipe clamp to protect the wood finish.