Here’s a rundown of some handy clamps.
C-clamp These small metal tools are good in tight spaces. The shoe swivels slightly on a ball so you can hold slightly angled pieces. They come in a number of sizes for different jobs.
Pipe clamps These long clamps are good for holding large pieces of wood together, such as three planks glued to form a table top. They can also be used in framing to pull stubborn joists into place. They consist of two sections attached to a 1/2″ or 3/4″ pipe (of any length). One jaw is fixed to one end. The other slides to any point along the bar and then tightens, so they can be adjusted to any width.
Quick clamps Depending on your point-of-view, these are larger versions of C-clamps or smaller versions of pipe clamps, which you can quickly tighten by squeezing with one hand.
Handscrews These wooden clamps can be tightened in parallel to hold flat pieces together or adjusted to hold angled pieces together. Since the jaws are long, they can apply even pressure over a larger area than many single clamps.
Spring clamp Instead of holding something between your fingers, use the clamp, freeing your other hands. Or leave it on to glue small pieces together.
Clamping tips
When tightening a series of clamps, hand-tighten the clamp at one end with moderate pressure, and move on to the clamp next to it. When all clamps are tightened this way, go back to the first one, and tighten more firmly. Follow suit with the rest.
When clamping pieces which will be visible in your finished piece, protect the good stock by inserting scrap pieces of wood between the clamp and the stock.
Remove all glue immediately from the work, and from the clamp.