What are clamps

A clamp is a fastening device to hold or secureThese clamps are called "C" clamps because of the C
objects tightly together to prevent movement orshaped frame and are often used in, but are not limited
separation through the application of inward pressure.to, carpentry and welding.
In the United Kingdom and Australia, the term cramp isDescription
often used instead when the tool is for temporary useTypically made of steel or cast iron, though smaller
for positioning components during construction andclamps may be made of pot metal. At the top of the
woodworking; thus a G cramp or a sash cramp but a"C" is usually a small flat edge. At the bottom is a
wheel clamp or a surgical clamp.threaded hole through which a large threaded screw
Types of clampsprotrudes. One end of this screw contains a flat edge
There are many types of clamps available for manyof similar size to the one at the top of the frame, and
different purposes. Some are temporary, as used tothe other end usually a small metal bar, perpendicular
position components while fixing them together, othersto the screw itself, which is used to gain leverage
are intended to be permanent. Anything whichwhen tightening the clamp. When the clamp is
performs the action of clamping may be called acompletely closed, the flat end of the screw is in
clamp, so this gives rise to a wide variety of termscontact with the flat end on the frame. When the
across many fields. These are some of the moreclamp is actually used, it is very rare that this occurs.
common ones:Generally some other object or objects will be
A band clamp (also known as a web clamp) is a typecontained between the top and bottom flat edges.
of clamp which allows the clamping of items whereUsage
the surfaces to be clamped are not parallel to eachA C-clamp is used by turning the screw through the
other; where there are multiple surfaces involved; orbottom of the frame until the desired state is reached.
where clamping pressure is required from multipleIn the case that the clamp is being tightened, this is
directions at once.when the objects being secured are satisfactorily
Examples of when a band clamp may be used include:secured between the flat end of the screw and the
Clamping the staves of a barrel - the barrel is encircledflat end of the frame. If the clamp is being loosened,
by the band.this is when a sufficient amount of force has relieved
Clamping stretchers between the legs of a chair.to allow the secured objects to be moved.
Clamping a mitred frame or box - a special type ofWoodworking
band clamp is often used which has four corner blocksA C-Clamp can be a useful tool for woodworking but
through which the band is threaded.special care should be taken when working with
Clamping pressure is applied either through adelicate woods. The flat edges of the frame, generally
mechanical method such as a screw or ratchetno larger than a quarter (depending on the size of the
mechanism which tightens the band, or through theclamp) can cause indentations and marring of the
elastic nature of the band material itself. There are asurfaces being clamped. This can be avoided by using
range of styles of band clamp available for purchase,2 pieces of scrap wood. Each piece of scrap wood is
in particular the type used for framing as describeddirectly in contact with the flat edges of the frame and
above. In addition to these, many other items may bewith the items being clamped. This will allow the scrap
put to use as a band clamp. These include:wood to receive the damage from the clamping, while
Ratchet strapsdispersing the clamping force across the piece of
Car or bicycle inner tubesscrap wood into the clamped objects. This effect is
Rubber bandssimilar to a person laying on a board of nails. If a
Rope or stringperson were to lay on a board with one nail, their
Adhesive tapeentire force on the single nail would allow the nail to
A Bar Clamp is a clamp, typically used forinjure thems. Now, the same person dispersed across
woodworking, that consists of a bar or rod with twothousands of nails will disperse the weight enough that
jaws. Typical construction has one jaw fixed, the otherthey are not seriousley injured.
moveable with a screw type clamping mechanism. BarWelding
clamps in the industry terminology have the jawsC-clamps are also commonly used in welding. The
mounted on a flat bar, while a pipe clamp, which hasheavy duty metal construction and the curved shape
the same construction, is mounted on a pipe, normallymake it ideal for holding together metal pieces that
of 1/2" or 3/4" diameter.need to be welded together. The simple machine, the
The C-clamp or G-cramp is a type of clamp deviceScrew allows a high amount of pressure to be applied
typically used to hold a wood or metal workpiece.with a fairly little amount of work.