Meet the pro
In 30 years as a professional woodworker, Dave Munkittrick has tried just about every clamping technique imaginable. Some of them are his own inventions; some are borrowed from other woodworkers. As for the rest, he's been doing them for so long that he can't remember where they came from.
Dave says, 'Over the decades, I have amassed a huge collection of clamps—every size and type. But the arsenal of clamps in my shop is no more valuable than the arsenal of clamping tricks I carry around in my head. So even if you're a beginning woodworker with a modest clamp collection, these tips are for you. I'll show you how to clamp to get the most from the clamps you have and even a few ways to clamp without clamps.'
Cauls Keep Glue-Ups Flat and Flush
Apply pressure with water
Shift clamps to square your work
Use one caul instead of many clamps
Iron out veneer-clamping problems
Overhead hold-down
Hold it square
Long-jaw hand screw
Magnetic clamp pads
Slow down!
A dry run is a must-do
Put the pinch on miter joints
Essential Clamps for Beginning Woodworkers (and Everyone Else)
Pipe clamps: Pipe clamps are the everyday, high-pressure workhorses of woodworking. Because you can quickly screw the clamps onto different lengths of pipe, one set of pipe clamps does the same work as several lengths of bar clamps. Buy pipes in 2-, 3- and 4-ft. lengths and you're ready for most situations.
Bar clamps: Quicker and easier to use than pipe clamps, light-duty bar clamps are perfect when you need a long reach and moderate pressure.
Spring clamps: These are the fastest helpers for holding your work in place or doing light-pressure clamping.