I love my parallel-jaw clamps (I use the Bessey K Body model), but I don’t love how dried glue gets on the notched bars and makes it difficult to move the jaws. To quickly remove the built-up glue, try a wire wheel held in a drill. Spin the wheel as fast as your drill will allow, and position it perpendicular to the bars so it whisks the glue out of the tiny notches. Be sure to do all sides of the bars. It takes only a minute or two. Afterward, wipe some paste wax on the bars to make it harder for glue to stick next time.
—Walter Baziuk, Ottawa, Ont., Canada
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
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These clamps are as premium as their price is, but they're worth every penny. A few staffers have a small collection and they're almost always the first clamp they reach for.
Rockler Deluxe Panel Clamp
These clamps can handle glue-ups between 10 in. and 36 in. wide, and boards up to 3 in. thick. Sliding feet attach to the lower bars with magnets, letting you position them quickly for stability on any surface. The spring-loaded jaws adjust easily, dropping into notches along the bars. And the powerful clamp handles clear the benchtop.
MicroJig Matchfit dovetail clamps
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