Best C Clamp Reviews 2018

C-clamps come in different prices depending on the size and design. The price is also determined by the material used in the construction of the clamp and the finishing. Heavy duty C-clamps for big projects cost more than light duty ones that can be used for light home projects. Self-adjusting C-clamps are also more costly than their manual counterparts. Be on the lookout for cheap C-clamps that won’t be able to last long, especially when you need one for regular use.

Poor quality C-clamps are made of soft materials that cannot withstand the work that a C-clamp is subjected to. Therefore, you’ll end up spending more when you have to get a replacement for the broken tool. Invest in a C-clamp that can withstand the kind of job you intend to subject it to. If you’re a professional, buy a C-clamp you’ll use for many years and ensure it’s versatile for use in varied applications. You’ll find them in a price range of $10 to $130.

While buying a C-clamp, the biggest consideration is its durability and robustness. You need a clamp that can hold all the different sizes of objects that you need to work on. It should also be built to withstand different conditions such as rust and welding sparks. Whereas some C-clamps are built for light use and others for heavy use, there are also those with deep throats meant to handle a variety of project sizes.

Here are some of the features to look for in a good C-clamp:

• Long handle for great pressure and less effort
• Hard casting material or drop-forged frames for durable construction
• High quality finish for durability and safe use
• Sliding T-handle for firm, non-slip use
• Copper screws for fastening jobs
• The right clamping capacity suitable for your application area
• Strong materials to withstand welding sparks

With the right C-clamp, you’ll be able to work on different surfaces and objects with varying widths without compromising performance and tiring your hands.

Design — C-clamps are built in different designs to suit various application needs. Choose a design suitable for your application area. You can either have a deep reach C-clamp or a regular one. With a deep reach design, you can move further into the pieces that are being held together. On the other hand, regular designs can allow you to hold more pieces depending on the clearance of the jaws.

Choose a design that allows you to reach the pieces or objects where you want to. This is really important especially when you’re gluing two parts together and need to apply pressure on them at different positions so that they can join properly. A deep reach clamp also allows you to hold on to pieces that are irregularly shaped.

Jaw opening — The jaw opening of a c clamp determines how thick your pieces can be. If your work requires holding big pieces together, you’ll need to buy a clamp that can open up to accommodate your pieces. Most C-clamps open up from two to eight inches. A C-clamp with a big jaw opening is the most favorable because it’ll give you more clearance when you need to hold on to big pieces.

Grip – The C-clamp you choose should be able to give you a great grip for the pieces that you intend to hold. Remember to stop when the clamp tightens to avoid destroying the pieces you’re working on. You can use small pieces of scrap wood between the jaws of the clamp and the piece you intend to hold to minimize damages.

However, some C-clamps come with soft pads to prevent the marring of your surfaces. The threads of the screw handle should be strong enough to provide a tight grip on the pieces being worked on.

Material — The material used to make the C-clamp should be able to withstand the elements and the force it’ll be exposed to. The best materials are usually steel, iron, aluminum and copper. The material used should also be able to withstand sparks from welding. Finally, it should be resistant to rust, and of course it shouldn’t fold up when being struck by something.

Finish — The finishing determines the durability of the clamp. A good finish enhances the strength and toughness of the material. The best finishes include forged or heating, zinc plating, powder or enamel coating, and many others. Look out for a C-clamp with a superb finish so that it can serve you a long time and resist the elements it’s subjected to in the workshop.

The handle of the C-clamp should be long enough to allow you to turn the screw with ease. Look for a sliding handle so that you can move it easily and work effectively from different positions. Consider a clamp with a copper screw, especially if you intend to use the clamp to hold parts for welding. Make sure the tip of the screw is covered with a soft pad to resist the impact on the pieces or working surface to reduce damages.

Lightweight clamps are easy to carry around and use with brittle pieces. When the C-clamp’s screw moves with ease, you can easily hold the parts onto your working surface. Some manufacturers use distinct colors on the clamps so that they’re easy to identify in a tool box or workshop full of equipment. Whichever C-clamp you opt for, make sure it’s strong, sturdy and durable, but also affordable; you shouldn’t have to invest your life savings in order to get a simple C-clamp!