Replies

1. 
   lat_axe | Mar 02, 2020 05:13pm | #1

   It depends on what's getting cramped.

   Personally I have some geet big cast iron I-beam Record clamps for things requiring a lot of squish. Other simpler straight bar steel ones are good for larger items not needing the ultimate squishing (i.e. narrower or softer woods).

   Sometimes a Very Big Thing requires a very long cramp and then it's wooden bars (usually ash or iroko of 1" x 3 or 4" in cross-section) home-made for the iron head and tail pieces of screwed and pinned tail plates respectively.

   The aluminium cramps are good for lighter squishing of long things. They're not so "powerful" as steel or cast iron but are light to handle. They're quite good as first-on cramps - to get things lined up - but often need to be followed by the heavier-duty ones to impart more squish once everything's in line.

   Lataxe

2. 
   DRBWWing | Mar 03, 2020 11:11am | #2

   Assuming you mean bar clamps, aluminum clamps do work fine. I insert some hardwood in the channel to beef it up, and a little file work around the collar to make slide better. I buy the harbor freight clamps. They serve me well, are light and easy to use.

   Steel bar clamps are no doubt stronger.