| A clamp is a fastening device to hold or | | | | shaped frame and are often used in, but |
| secure objects tightly together to | | | | are not limited to, carpentry and |
| prevent movement or separation through | | | | welding. |
| the application of inward pressure. In | | | | Description |
| the United Kingdom and Australia, the | | | | Typically made of steel or cast iron, |
| term cramp is often used instead when | | | | though smaller clamps may be made of pot |
| the tool is for temporary use for | | | | metal. At the top of the "C" is usually |
| positioning components during | | | | a small flat edge. At the bottom is a |
| construction and woodworking; thus a G | | | | threaded hole through which a large |
| cramp or a sash cramp but a wheel clamp | | | | threaded screw protrudes. One end of |
| or a surgical clamp. | | | | this screw contains a flat edge of |
| Types of clamps | | | | similar size to the one at the top of |
| There are many types of clamps available | | | | the frame, and the other end usually a |
| for many different purposes. Some are | | | | small metal bar, perpendicular to the |
| temporary, as used to position | | | | screw itself, which is used to gain |
| components while fixing them together, | | | | leverage when tightening the clamp. When |
| others are intended to be permanent. | | | | the clamp is completely closed, the flat |
| Anything which performs the action of | | | | end of the screw is in contact with the |
| clamping may be called a clamp, so this | | | | flat end on the frame. When the clamp is |
| gives rise to a wide variety of terms | | | | actually used, it is very rare that this |
| across many fields. These are some of | | | | occurs. Generally some other object or |
| the more common ones: | | | | objects will be contained between the |
| A band clamp (also known as a web clamp) | | | | top and bottom flat edges. |
| is a type of clamp which allows the | | | | Usage |
| clamping of items where the surfaces to | | | | A C-clamp is used by turning the screw |
| be clamped are not parallel to each | | | | through the bottom of the frame until |
| other; where there are multiple surfaces | | | | the desired state is reached. In the |
| involved; or where clamping pressure is | | | | case that the clamp is being tightened, |
| required from multiple directions at | | | | this is when the objects being secured |
| once. | | | | are satisfactorily secured between the |
| Examples of when a band clamp may be | | | | flat end of the screw and the flat end |
| used include: | | | | of the frame. If the clamp is being |
| Clamping the staves of a barrel - the | | | | loosened, this is when a sufficient |
| barrel is encircled by the band. | | | | amount of force has relieved to allow |
| Clamping stretchers between the legs of | | | | the secured objects to be moved. |
| a chair. | | | | Woodworking |
| Clamping a mitred frame or box - a | | | | A C-Clamp can be a useful tool for |
| special type of band clamp is often used | | | | woodworking but special care should be |
| which has four corner blocks through | | | | taken when working with delicate woods. |
| which the band is threaded. | | | | The flat edges of the frame, generally |
| Clamping pressure is applied either | | | | no larger than a quarter (depending on |
| through a mechanical method such as a | | | | the size of the clamp) can cause |
| screw or ratchet mechanism which | | | | indentations and marring of the surfaces |
| tightens the band, or through the | | | | being clamped. This can be avoided by |
| elastic nature of the band material | | | | using 2 pieces of scrap wood. Each piece |
| itself. There are a range of styles of | | | | of scrap wood is directly in contact |
| band clamp available for purchase, in | | | | with the flat edges of the frame and |
| particular the type used for framing as | | | | with the items being clamped. This will |
| described above. In addition to these, | | | | allow the scrap wood to receive the |
| many other items may be put to use as a | | | | damage from the clamping, while |
| band clamp. These include: | | | | dispersing the clamping force across the |
| Ratchet straps | | | | piece of scrap wood into the clamped |
| Car or bicycle inner tubes | | | | objects. This effect is similar to a |
| Rubber bands | | | | person laying on a board of nails. If a |
| Rope or string | | | | person were to lay on a board with one |
| Adhesive tape | | | | nail, their entire force on the single |
| A Bar Clamp is a clamp, typically used | | | | nail would allow the nail to injure |
| for woodworking, that consists of a bar | | | | thems. Now, the same person dispersed |
| or rod with two jaws. Typical | | | | across thousands of nails will disperse |
| construction has one jaw fixed, the | | | | the weight enough that they are not |
| other moveable with a screw type | | | | seriousley injured. |
| clamping mechanism. Bar clamps in the | | | | Welding |
| industry terminology have the jaws | | | | C-clamps are also commonly used in |
| mounted on a flat bar, while a pipe | | | | welding. The heavy duty metal |
| clamp, which has the same construction, | | | | construction and the curved shape make |
| is mounted on a pipe, normally of 1/2" | | | | it ideal for holding together metal |
| or 3/4" diameter. | | | | pieces that need to be welded together. |
| The C-clamp or G-cramp is a type of | | | | The simple machine, the Screw allows a |
| clamp device typically used to hold a | | | | high amount of pressure to be applied |
| wood or metal workpiece. These clamps | | | | with a fairly little amount of work. |
| are called "C" clamps because of the C | | | | |