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