Shop Tips

Workshop Tips: Supercharge your clamps with a screwdriver assist

#274-Mar/Apr 2019 Issue

When arthritis started making it harder to tighten and loosen clamps, I bored a 3⁄8-in.-dia. hole through the wooden handle of every clamp I own. Now I just insert a screwdriver in the hole and tighten away. I should have done this years ago, arthritis or not. Not only does it give my hands a break and make it easy to get optimal pressure on glue-ups, but it also makes it easy to tighten clamps when they are placed close together or in tight quarters.

—Bob Moment, Vassalboro, Maine

Drawings: Dan Thornton

From Fine Woodworking #274

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