Toolbox Tuesday- Carpenter's Hand Screw Clamp

Carpenter’s Hand Screw Clamp

 

 

A hand-screw clamp Carpentry. is a clamp having two wooden jaws that are adjusted by two long screws.  A clamp is a fastening device to hold or secure objects tightly together to prevent movement or separation through the application of inward pressure. In the United Kingdom and Australia, the term cramp is often used instead when the tool is for temporary use for positioning components during construction and woodworking;  There is historical evidence that clamps made of iron and or wood have been used since at least the 17th century.  Both wooden and wood-and-steel designs can be loosened or tightened by gripping them with both hands, a handle in each hand, and rotating the clamp. A clockwise rotation tightens the clamp.  A hand-screw clamp, like that pictured above, can be used when you do not want to mar the surface of the object you are clamping or when you are working with odd shapes. Choose a hand-screw clamp when working with fabric, wood and plastic, as well.  This tool is quite easy to use; you simply open the jaws of your hand-screw clamp and position it on either side of the object you want to clamp. Keep the clamp and object parallel.  Use both of your hands to tighten each of the clamp's screws. Apply equal pressure to both screws. Keep the vise jaws parallel to the edges of the clamped object to ensure it is held equally by both wooden jaws of the clamp.