Many projects around the house could use an extra pair of hands.
They could hold the light, steady the level, read the ruler, or keep the door from sagging while you tighten the hinge screws. An array of clamps can help, and even more so a versatile and portable workbench that can hold about anything.
Clamps
There’s one for every possible situation: four-corner clamps for picture framing, all sizes of C-clamps and locking pliers, and bar clamps that can compress boards many feet apart because the fittings screw onto any length of pipe. But for most projects, the most versatile and easiest to use are quick clamps. That’s the generic name, though manufacturers often come up with their own tags — like Irwin for example, one of the largest suppliers, which calls them Quick-Grip clamps.
Mounted on an I-beam bar (usually available from 6 inches to 36 inches long), the clamping jaws face each other but can be reversed so the tool becomes a spreader instead of a clamp. The adjustable jaw extends from a pistol grip with a release trigger so you can quickly slide the jaw up to the material, then start squeezing the handle to apply pressure. Longer bars increase the price somewhat. But the main step up is holding power. For example, a 12-inch quick clamp rated at 300 pounds of pressure costs about $24, while the same size clamp with a beefier mechanism rated at 600 pounds costs about $33.
Points to look for are large jaws to accommodate different sizes and materials, full plastic replaceable covers on the contact points to prevent marring, plus a large handle and trigger that fills your hand and makes it easy to transfer a squeeze into clamping pressure.
The locking lever can pop kind of suddenly when you release a lot of pressure. But quick clamp operation is so much faster and easier to adjust than screw-type clamps.
The big boys
Black & Decker WM425 Workmate
This successful product is a 30-by-30-inch wooden work surface that also cranks open and closed to serve as a large vise. Two cranking gears can accommodate odd shapes and sizes or close as one along a board. The front panel also swings up to handle vertical clamping. The basic configuration has a steel frame and splayed legs for stability, and is available in several strength ratings. This is the muscular one, an upgrade to the line that’s rated to support up to 550 pounds. That’s impressive, considering the 30-inch-high bench weighs only 48 pounds and folds fairly flat for storage without much trouble. The bench comes with four swiveling pegs (called dogs on most workbenches) that fit into holes and serve as stops for clamping a wide range of sizes. Some DIYers also use the clamping bench as a work stand for power tools.
More info at blackanddecker.com; about $120.
More Top Picks Best Under Desk Ellipticals For Seniors
Rockwell RK9000 Jawhorse
You can add a workbench surface (about $50) that’s like a junior version of the Workmate, or use the in-line clamping system by itself. The unusual feature is a foot pedal suspended from the tool that allows you to apply clamping pressure with hands free to position materials. Once you have the tripod legs solidly set, even in an odd position tucked around a wobbly fence post, you can lock the post vertically as you pour concrete and backfill the hole. The front legs have holes in the feet so you can secure them for more stability if necessary. There are several other optional attachments, including a saddlebag for holding tools ($20) and a wide vise for holding sheets of plywood ($50), although standard clamping width is 37 inches, which will handle doors and about everything except plywood.
More info at rockwelltools.com; about $180.