Clamps Guide — a practical guide for Australian trades from the team at Power Tools Direct Australia.
F-clamps, sash, parallel and G-clamps — what each is for, why parallel clamps cost so much, and how many you actually need by trade.
Clamps Guide: In this guide
- The oldest joke in the workshop
- The main types
- Why parallel clamps cost so much
- How many, and what sizes?
- Protecting the work
The oldest joke in the workshop
Ask any cabinetmaker how many clamps they need and the answer is always ‘more’. It sounds like a joke until you glue up a carcase and find yourself two clamps short with the glue going off. Browse clamps and vices.
The main types
| Type | Force | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Quick-grip / one-handed | Low–moderate | Holding while you position, light glue-ups |
| F-clamp (bar clamp) | Moderate–high | General workshop and site work. The everyday clamp |
| Sash clamp | High | Long glue-ups — doors, frames, table tops |
| Parallel clamp | High, perfectly square | Cabinet carcases where squareness is critical |
| G-clamp | Very high, small capacity | Metalwork, welding, heavy holding |
| Spring clamp | Very low | Holding a template or a rag. Almost free |
| Toggle / hold-down | Fixed | Jigs and repeatable setups |
Why parallel clamps cost so much
Standard F-clamps and sash clamps apply pressure through a jaw that can tilt slightly under load. On a wide glue-up that racks the assembly out of square, and you discover it after the glue has cured.
Parallel clamps have wide jaws held rigidly at 90 degrees to the bar. They keep the work square while applying serious pressure. For cabinet work they are worth the money; for site work they are overkill.
Buy clamps in pairs and in the same size. A mismatched collection is far less useful than four identical clamps.
How many, and what sizes?
- Site carpenter — four to six quick-grips (300–600 mm) plus two F-clamps. Mostly for holding, not gluing.
- General workshop — eight F-clamps in two sizes, four quick-grips, two G-clamps.
- Cabinetmaker — six to eight parallel clamps (600–1200 mm), plus everything above. This is where the budget goes.
- Metal fabrication — G-clamps, welding clamps and locking pliers rather than bar clamps.
Protecting the work
Steel jaws mark timber. Most clamps have plastic pads, but they crack and fall off. Keep a stack of offcut blocks as cauls — they spread pressure as well as protecting the surface, which improves the joint.
For finished surfaces, cork or leather glued to a caul is the traditional and still the best solution.
Vices are clamps too
A good bench vice does the work of many clamps and holds far more securely. An engineer’s vice for metal, a quick-release woodworking vice for timber, and a portable folding workbench for site work covers most needs.
Do not overlook the humble sash cramp head, which turns any length of timber into a clamp for a fraction of the cost of a long sash clamp.
Building out the workshop?
Bessey, Irwin, Toughbuilt and Stanley clamps and vices in stock.
The bottom line
F-clamps, sash, parallel and G-clamps — what each is for, why parallel clamps cost so much, and how many you actually need by trade. Everything we sell is genuine Australian stock with full manufacturer warranty, dispatched same day on orders placed before 1pm AEST from our Sydney warehouse. Standard delivery is $15.99, express is $32.55, and delivery is free on orders over $1,000.
Not sure which option suits your work? Talk to our team — we are tradies too. You can also browse the full power tool range, read the FAQs, or set up a trade account for ongoing pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What clamps should I buy first?
Four 600 mm F-clamps. They cover the widest range of tasks and are useful on site as well as at the bench.
Are cheap clamps worth buying?
Cheap spring and quick-grip clamps are fine. Cheap bar clamps flex badly and cannot deliver real pressure — that is where it is worth spending.
How much pressure should I apply?
Enough for a thin, even glue line. Over-clamping starves the joint of adhesive and can bow the workpiece.
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