Tip #11
Everything You Need To Know About Clamping
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version of Tip - Pg 1-3, Pg. 4-6, Pg. 7-9

Vises

Vises

Vises are another category of clamping tools that deserve a mention here. No shop is complete with a vise of some sort to hold projects as you work on them. Most woodworking vises attach to the end or side of your workbench with the tops of their jaws flush with the top surface of your bench. Vises are typically used to hold a workpiece (or complete project) in place, leaving both of your hands free to work on it. Some offer pop-up “dogs” that press against one edge of your workpiece while the opposing edge rests against another pop-up “dog” that slips into a hole in the opposite end of the bench.

Light-Duty Model Vise

Woodworkers' vises are usually available in two styles. The first is an inexpensive, “no-frills”, light-duty model with a small capacity and no quick-release mechanism.

The second is a larger capacity, heavy-duty model with a quick-release mechanism that allows you to open or close the jaws almost instantly with the flip of a single lever - or by merely turning the tightening lever counter-clockwise. These are the number one choice of serious woodworkers.

Heavy-Duty Model Vise

Combination Bench and Drill Press Vise

The Combination Bench and Drill Press Vise is a sturdy, portable work-holder that can be mounted permanently or temporarily on your workbench or to the drill press.

Although it has a relatively small holding capacity as a bench vise, it's ideal for gripping round stock or small objects that you're planning to drill on your drill press.

Hold-Down Clamps

Hold-Down Clamps are vise-like devices that attach to the top surface of your workbench and allow you to either clamp projects components together there...or hold them tightly in position while you sand them, plane them, rout them or perform other operations.

Usually, they come with special mounting bolts that drop into counterbores in your bench surface when not in use, then can be pulled up to engage the bottom of the Hold-Down Clamp when you want to use it. These devices are inexpensive and very handy for certain operations.

Toggle Clamp

Toggle Clamps are another type of Hold-Down Clamp that can be used to either hold project components rigidly to a benchtop...or to a jig or fixture that's being used with a machining operation such as tenoning, pattern sawing, etc.

Activated quickly with a single clamping lever, they make inserting and removing workpieces on fixtures much more convenient, offer a fairly narrow range of thickness adjustment (usually less than an inch) and are quite affordable.

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