Best Bar clamps are an essential tool for wood and metal workers and, as most tradesmen know, you often don’t have enough of them. They keep workpieces in place for joining, fastening, or welding and a given project may require dozens. Having just the right bar clamps can make your next project easy, while having the wrong set can set you back, ruin the parts you’re working on, and force you to re-work large sections of your project, setting you back on time and money. If you want to do it right the first time, you need the right tools for the job. Unfortunately, it gets harder and harder to find good tools when shopping online.
We don’t want you to worry when you’re shopping for new bar clamps. Our reviews are designed to walk you through everything you need to know so that there are no nasty surprises when you get your product. So here are the top 10 bar clamps available so it becomes easy for you to choose the right one
Best Bar Clamps Review
1. IRWIN QUICK-GRIP Mini Bar Clamp
The IRWIN QUICK-GRIP 1964758 Mini Bar Clamp is an Amazon #1 Bestseller that most woodworking professionals are bound to love. They come with high-quality non-marring pads, which do a great job of protecting your projects from scratches. These clamps can also provide up to 150 pounds of force, despite their slim size. They also come with quick grips, which doesn’t require a lot of force to operate.
This set is also priced reasonably and while these clamps won’t last forever, getting a year or two of regular use out of them will more than justify their price. If you’re looking for bar clamps that will get the job done at a reasonable price, then you can’t go wrong with this set.
2. Jorgensen 24-inch Bar Clamps
Jorgensen Cabinet Master 24-inch 90° Parallel Jaw Bar Clamp, 2-pack
The Jorgensen Cabinet Master 24-inch bar clamps are the clamps you should consider if you use clamps a lot and want to invest in a premium product. These clamps come with a 24-inch capacity, which is enough for most people’s needs. They also come with a parallel jaw design, to maximize the clamp’s grip. It also has a great quick-release handle and is rubber-coated to provide a soft grip.
The only reason these clamps don’t take first is that they retail for almost double the price of our top model. Still, if you want a really nice set of clamps, you’ll be happy with this product.
3. Bessey 2.5-Inch Bar Clamp
Clutch Style Bar Clamp, 36 In, 2-1/2 Deep
While it’s nice to buy a premium product sometimes, it often feels just as good to find a model that works great but costs a fraction of what the competition will run you. This 36-inch clamps will allow you to clamp all but the most impossibly large projects. The shaft is made from powder-coated cast iron, which gives you the strength and durability you’d expect from cast iron while adding in a hefty dose of corrosion resistance with the powered coating. Also included are great non-marring pads, which work well.
This model also comes with a double-locking system. While it may take a little time to get used to, it ultimately leads to a better grip. If you’re looking for a low-cost-yet-high-value-for-money buy, then this is the bar clamp for you.
4. MLCS-Can Do clamp
Can-Do Clamp
The Can-do Clamp is one of the most popular clamps in the market especially for its precision which makes it perfect for activities like framing, drilling, dowelling, and others. It is easy to set up and secures quickly. It has a 2 and 3/4 inch width frame capacity and a sliding T-handle for high clamping pressure. The Can-do clamp also has oblong mounting holes that allow easy mounting to a workbench. It can be used to join picture frames, used as a bench wise or to join cabinet frames. This clamp has received very high ratings for its quality of material due to its sturdy aluminum construction. The Can-Do clamp had been featured and recommended in the WOOD magazine (12/1994 issue).
5. Bessey BPC-34 3/4 Inch H style Clamp, Red
Bessey BPC-H34 3/4-Inch H Style Pipe Clamp, red
This Bessey clamp has an H-shaped foot assembly which stabilizes the clamp in two dimensions giving dual-axis stability. It also has an extra high base providing industry-leading clearance from the workspace. The product has cast jaws for durability and two soft jaws to prevent the materials from getting clamped from being damaged. The Bessey clamp has zinc-plated clutch components and black oxide coated threaded spindle for smooth action. It has been efficiently designed to allow the clamping strength and opening size to be dependent on the length of the pipe used.
6. Kreg KHCC 90° Corner Clamp
Kreg KHCCC 90° Corner Clamp
The Kreg 90° Corner Clamp is best for working on 90° corners and “T” joints. It has a 1″ maximum capacity and cast aluminum “V” and wedge clamp pads. The product operates with an Auto Maxx Auto-adjust technology and it is easy to regulate the clamping pressure with the thumbwheel. The Kreg Corner Clamp has cutout which allows driving a pocket-hole screw without removing the clamp. It also has padded ergonomic handles making it easier and more comfortable for the user. This product is highly rated for its sturdiness making it a useful buy.
7. Worx Clamping Sawhorse pair with Bar Clamps
WORX Clamping Sawhorse Pair with Bar Clamps, Built-in Shelf and Cord Hooks – WX065
The Worx Clamping Sawhorse pair comprises of two durable and lightweight sawhorses made of thermoplastic polymer material. It is designed to support up to a weight of 1,000 lbs when used together. It also has two detachable bar clamps which can attach both horizontally and vertically according to the needs of the user. The Worx clamping sawhorse pair is foldable making it extremely convenient to carry and store, also it is shipped fully assembled. Features of this product include a built-in shelf and cord hooks to store all necessary accessories. It has received very high ratings for being easy to use and for its versatility.
8. DeWalt DWHT83192 Large Trigger Clamp with 6 inch Bar
DEWALT DWHT83192 Large Trigger Clamp with 6 inch bar
The DeWalt Large Trigger Clamp has a glass fiber reinforced nylon body to provide good impact resistance and helps it withstand heavy use in construction sites. Its high visibility finish makes it easier to spot amongst the debris. The product has removable replaceable pads to reduce marring, is lightweight making it easier to use and has a narrow throat. The DeWalt Large Trigger Clamp has a clamping force of 100 lbs. This product is very highly recommended for being easy to use.
9. Capri Tools 16-Inch Heavy Duty All Steel Bar Clamp
Capri Tools 16-Inch Heavy Duty All Steel Bar Clamp, 4-3/4-Inch Throat Depth, 2,645 lb Clamping Force
The Capri Tools 16-Inch Heavy Duty All Steel Bar Clamp consists of chrome and nickel plating. It means that it is corrosion-resistant. And with the help of a 16-inch size, it can hold good for most jobs easily. It comes with a heavy-duty T-bar as well, which means that you can apply proper pressure to the job as well.
Also, the clamping force is as massive as 2645 lbs mean that it is suitable for heavy-duty operations as well. It can easily hold the jobs of different shapes, which makes it highly versatile. Thus, if you’re looking for a bar clamp that can hold a small job, you can definitely go with this one.
10. TEKTON 30-Inch Bar Clamp
TEKTON 30-Inch x 2-1/2-Inch Ratchet Bar Clamp and 36-Inch Spreader | 39185
The TEKTON 30-Inch 39185 is a trigger-style model, which is best for people with not very strong hands, or those who don’t want to spend a lot of time turning a screw to get their clamp set. The trigger is easy to use and that makes the job fast, though some people will find it strange that this model’s trigger grip is reversed relative to those found on other models.
It also comes with a wide, 30-inch opening, which will give you a lot of clamping space for the price. And finally, it comes with a quick-release, allowing you to clean up faster when the task is done.
CONCLUSION
There are multiple factors to take into consideration while choosing to buy a bar clamp. Each person may be looking for different specifications while choosing a bar clamp to buy. For some, the sturdiness of the material is more important while for some they want it to be easy to use and user friendly. It is important to check some factors like the material of the bar clamp if it is aluminum, steel, or some other material. One also needs to check the clamping length if it fits the user’s need regarding which it is being bought. Also the higher the clamping strength the better the clamp then again it should not be damaging the materials that are being clamped. The bar clamp must be easy to use and lightweight so that more people can use it with minimum difficulty. Overall, the best bar clamps are essential in most woodworking, carpentry as well as metalworking jobs, making it a smoother and more efficient process, hence, a one time buy to make your woodworker life a sure success.