Basically, there are 3 types of panel clamps in the market, that you can use for jointing or working on wood panels. These are Pressure Clamp, Pipe Clamp, and Parallel clamp. Now let’s see which clamp is suitable for which situation.
Comparison Table
| Suitable Work | Pressure Clamp | Pipe Clamp | Pararallel Clamp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Project | Excellent | Excellent | Not Suitable |
| Medium Project | Excellent | Excellent | Suitable |
| Small Project | Not Suitable | Not Suitable | Excellent |
| Hard Project | Excellent | Excellent | Not Suitable |
| Curved Wood | Excellent | Excellent | Not Suitable |
Pressure Clamp
A pressure clamp is the best type of clamp to use for gluing panels. This clamp has a 4-way pressure mechanism for creating pressure from all the way possible. Every pressure clamp has two pressure pads that create pressure for both sidebar, and the scissor side clamps create pressure from the upper and lower side of the panel bars.
Suitable for?
4-way pressure clamps create an extreme level of pressure in all possible ways. It can straighten even curved wood. So, when you need extreme pressure, this is your option.
Another noticeable thing is size. There are two types of panel clamps based on the materials. One has a fixed metal body the other one has an adjustable wooden body. You can slightly adjust the metal one, but the wooden one is extremely adjustable because you can change the body whenever you want, according to your project size. So wooden body pressure clamp is very good when you work on various sizes of projects, and sometimes, they are very large.
Any Downside?
This is not a downside, but it’s a costly clamp compared to other types of the clamp. When you find other clamps at a price of under 50 USD, you have to pay around 100$ to 200$ for a set of good quality pressure clamps. But I don’t think you’ll regret buying a good quality pressure clamp.
Pipe Clamp
Pipe clamps are a very common name to any DIYer. This multi-purpose clamp can be used to do many tasks, including working on wood panels. A pipe clamp only has two ways pressure mechanism, but the pipe can also create pressure from the upper side. So, we can call it a 3 ways pressure clamp. It has a very simple mechanism and can be used on various sizes of projects. Most of the pipe clamp does not contain pipe with the set. You have to buy them separately, or you can just make them. Plastic or metal, both pipes are usable as pipe clamps, but the metal one will be stronger than usual.
Suitable for?
Pipe clamps are also suitable when you have multiple project sizes and need stronger pressure. Its extreme level of pressure can also make even the curved wooden bar.
Any Downside?
I don’t see any downside to this type of clamp, except you need to make the pipe by yourself. Or you can just simply buy them separately. But I don’t think this could be the downside for a good product.
Parallel Clamp
Now let’s come to the most common uses of clamps for any DIYers. If you do any type of handy work, you are most probably known about parallel clamps. This is the simplest clamp among all the clamps. You can buy any size of the parallel clamp from 6” to 80”, depending on your project size and type. But the problem is this clamp is not made to create an extreme level of pressure. So don’t go for it when you need to do a hard project, like straightening a curved wooden bar. You can simply use this clamp to hold some piece of wooden bar tightly.
Suitable for?
I think you already guessed what projects are suitable with parallel clamps. Yes, it is only usable on a project that’s size is under 80” and does not requires lots of pressure to hold down. But you can buy this clamp for use for various purposes, even outside clamping wooden bars. A parallel clamp will not cost you more than 50$. That’s a good point when you are a part-time DIYer.
Any Downside?
Yes, it does have some downsides, including not creating much pressure and not being extendable.
Frequently Asked Questions are Answered
1. What Are Panel Clamps Used For?
As the name suggests, panel clamps are used to work on a wooden or metal panel, including gluing, straightening, and drilling.
2. What Are Parallel Clamps Used For?
The parallel clamp has a wide use area, including,
- To secure two pieces of wood together while gluing.
- To temporarily hold a workpiece in place while sawing or drilling.
- To keep two pieces of pipe together while gluing or welding.
- To act as a third hand when installing cabinet hardware.
- To hold a workpiece steady while routing or sanding.
- To support a workpiece while applying finishes.
- To clamp molding or trim in place during installation.
- To secure a workpiece to a jigsaw or router table.
- To provide extra support for a workpiece during assembly.
- To keep two boards flush while biscuit joining.
3.What Is the Difference Between Bar Clamp and Parallel Clamp?
Parallel clamps and bar clamps are almost similar except for their clamping pad. The parallel clamp has a much wider clamping pad, and it creates pressure on a wide area. The bar clamp has a small clamping pad. Without this difference, everything is similar between these two clamps.
4. How Do You Clamp a Panel?
It is always hard to answer a “how to” question with a written article. That’s why I am providing a YouTube video to understand the procedure. A big thanks to the video maker for providing such a fantastic tutorial.
Conclusion
I don’t know what kind of woodworker you are, but I think this article has enlightened you to understand which clamp you need to complete your wood gluing project. If you have more questions, then let me know by commenting below. I will come back to you and try to help you.