How To Use A Bar Clamp: A Beginners’ Guide

People who have a deep appreciation for woodworks and construction would know what a bar clamp is. For a little bit of introduction, a bar clamp is a long metal bar designed to withstand the pressure of holding hefty and heavy workpieces in place with less effort exerted. It is a tool that is known to be capable of heavy-duty clamping due to its design created for strength and with the support of the bar, which is made from steel. It is usually used in pairs, but for more difficult tasks, an addition of bar clamps would be needed. With this all this information being shared, do you know how to use a bar clamp?

It is okay if you do not know because it is not a common knowledge to learn to handle since it has a very specific task, and it is mainly used for people of a specific profession. However, it would do you good if you learned a thing or two about this amazing tool because who knows if, in the future, you would be working on a big project that would require the use of this tool. It would be great if you know what a bar clamp is and have yourself be aware of its use and function. With that said, let us dig deeper and explore more the uses and details of a bar clamp.

How to Use a Bar Clamp

Learning how to use a bar clamp tool is easy, but first, it is important to know the types of bar clamp tools. The first one is a small clamp with little range. The second one is a quick clamp that you could use single-handedly and for tricky positions. Then there are the medium-sized and the large size ones for bigger and much heavier projects. Now that you know the types let us start with the use of this tool.

You should first unscrew it to the position you desire for the item that you will hold for the smaller ones. Then fix it properly in place and slowly screw tighter, making a secure hold. For the lighter quick clamp, which is great for single-handed use, you need to open it up to the right size you need. Then get it into the place that you will need it to clamp and close it up by pulling the handle on your hand, which tightens itself. The big bar clamp is usually used for big pieces with its capability to squeeze tight. It could be used similarly with the smaller clamp but with wider and greater clamping and stronger grip, holding objects into place.

Learning how to use a bar clamp as a spreader is also quite easy to do. You have to get your bar clamp, remove the other end (the removable one), and move it to the other end while pushing the screw end part forward. This will create a makeshift spreader that will not work on other clamps, by the way.

What Is a Pipe Clamp? How Do You Use It?

Since you probably know how to use a bar clamp tool and how to use a bar clamp as a spreader, it is now time to learn about a pipe clamp. A pipe clamp is another type of clamp that, like the bar clamp, is often employed in woodworking, piping, or cabinet shops. This amazing tool is commercially composed of manufactured clam heads or jaws and a length mostly seen on a common threaded pipe.

The problem with most clamps is that they have a fixed minimum size that clamps the items together. However, the pipe clamp does not have this problem. You could adjust the overall length of this clamp by the pipe's size that you buy easily. Standard clamps only work on certain sizes while the pipe clamps are available in a couple of different sizes. This product comes with two parts. The back part helps clamp rigidly to the hood and slides back and forth with the little tab and the front piece, which has the screw on the clamp. To use this, you need to screw the other end of the back end. This product could clamp anything from six inches to eight feet, depending on the size and type. It is great to use for your little projects, and when you are trying to put in place pieces of wood glued together. It holds it tightly and securely, so you do not have to worry about anything at all.

Bar Clamps vs. Pipe Clamps

Bar clamps and pipe clamps are both useful tools, but they have their strengths and weaknesses. Here we would see how the two compare to one another and how they are deemed more productive.

Bar clamps are made with steadiness, strength, and heavy-duty in mind. It is more expensive indeed, but it gets heavier workloads done and a much more reliable tool to have. If you are a professional in this field of work, you will come for this tool for the more important tasks. It could also multitask, which is a great feature.

Pipe clamps, on the other hand, are very inexpensive as compared to the bar clamps. It is flexible to use because you could change the pipes for a variety of lengths and sizes. Although it has a weaker strength than bar clamps, it is a great tool to have with its high clamping pressure compared to the parallel bar clamp. It is also great for a simple project, so if you plan on having a clamp, this is a great choice.

Conclusion 

Learning how to use a bar clamp would take a lot of toll on you, especially when you are not into woodworks and getting into all kinds of projects. However, it is a great thing to know more about bar clamps and their uses. There are times that you might need this tool for reasons that you might not even expect. Having the right knowledge for its uses and being aware of what this tool could do would make you a great benefit in the future. It also helps you appreciate how great an object is and how great it is to pack a punch for just a small build.

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