A right angle clamp is a tool that is used for holding pieces together during work. It can be used in many different ways, such as to hold two boards together while someone drills into the board on top of the right angle clamp. The most common use for this type of clamp is with a sawhorse and table saw when someone needs to cut wood at an angle. This blog post will teach you how to use a right angle clamp so that your projects don't have the wrong perspective.
Related: Right Angle Clamps Buying Guide
A Right Angle Clamp is any clamp with an adjustable arm that will let you easily position a workpiece. A right angle clamp can also be a useful general purpose clamping accessory, as it's strong enough to hold a variety of project sizes securely.
These clamps are used to secure material between two surfaces that would not typically contact each other, such as a door edge and a window frame for hanging wallpaper.
When installing floor tile on top of vinyl flooring, some workers use right angle metal clamps to create breather holes in the tile before lifting it away from its backing paper and applying liquid adhesives under it too. If you're fastening a loft ladder to the hatch of loft access, you're going to want to use right angle clamps again. This will allow you to create some breathing space between the hatch and the floor, eliminating any chance of damage from your ladder.
Right angle clamps are not typically seen as a clamping device used in construction, but builders may find them indispensable for one critical aspect of their job.
Residential construction sites tend to be filled with various metal studs that need to be fastened together using screws or nails. Though you could use an ordinary clamp, it may not fit up against the end of the stud because you're dealing with corner joints. In those cases, a right angle clamp can hold materials firmly.
Useful as they are on construction sites, right angle clamps aren't just for professionals who work with wood and metal all the time. For example, anyone who frequently works with ductwork will want to have a pair on hand. Because these hands-on people often need to secure materials into place that don't easily fit together, right angle clamps are the answer.
Even though they're great for holding things in place, their usefulness doesn't stop at just clamping workpieces together - you can attach them to almost anything if you need a small vice. In addition, if you damage the surface of your workpiece by drilling or cutting into them, you can use a right angle clamp to tighten up the edges, so you don't have to worry about chipping or splintering.
Right angle clamps are also helpful for holding objects onto your workbench out of the way, making them easy to pick up whenever you need them. If you do any DIY work where you need to tack down temporary workpieces, right angle clamps will come in handy because they're lightweight and compact enough to carry around with you.
Using a Right Angle Clamp (Step By Step Guide)
Before we begin, I should mention that the steps and instructions listed below apply to metalworking and building. If you're reading this because you need to know how to use a right angle clamp for whatever reason, look elsewhere. If you happen across these instructions while researching a project, now's your time to stop reading. The following is based on experience, but if you haven't used one of these things before, then I'd list what we're about to do as "experimental." That said; we'll begin:
Step #1: Open the packaging
Right angle clamps rarely come in their packaging (usually sold through merchants online), so you'll likely need to open the packaging they came with.
Step #2: Remove the clamp from the plastic shell (if applicable)
If you're reading this on account of curiosity, then I hope you were using an electronic device while opening it because otherwise, you'd have ripped half your fingernails off. You should be left with a metal right angle clamp in some form (it might look like one of these), although some versions require two people to secure them into place (again, thank goodness for online merchants).
Step #3: Bring out measuring tools and set marking thresholds; note orientation!
This step is better done before attaching it to whatever tool or structure you intend on utilizing with it. Make sure you have your measuring sticks at hand and make a note of the orientation!
Step #4: Connect right angle clamp to the appropriate target
As I mentioned earlier, this step is best done before any preliminary measurements are taken. Please make sure the target you're looking for is sturdy enough that it won't come loose from your intended tools or structure. If it's not, then you might want to rethink what you intend on doing with it.
Step #5: Secure clamp as tightly as possible using screws/bolts/tape
Depending on the kind of tool you're looking at will determine what material(s) to secure it with. There may be kits available online if they don't include them, but some even come with the tools included (because you never know what your intentions are.).
Step #6: Using as intended
Yes, this is the last step. I still think it's essential; those things bend and can be used to mount almost anything, right? You should check out the purpose of a right-angle clamp before using one as we did. And don't forget that your projects will look better and function better if you take all of these steps into account beforehand!
Watch the video on how to use a right angle clamp:
6 Benefits of Using a Right Angle Clamp
A right angle clamp is a mechanical device used to hold objects at a fixed 90-degree angle. They are used for many reasons by many different people, from the woodworker to the chef. This article will explore how to use them effectively.
- Screws puncture holes in drywall and wood easily, which can lead to a messy repair job or a dangerous fall down a ladder if you have to climb up one inside your home's walls after ruining the drywall. A right angle clamp can be placed on either side of a screw hole not to destroy the surrounding area when being driven into place.
- The ease with which screws drive into areas where they shouldn't mean that right angle clamps prevent many household accidents. A right angle clamp placed on the inside of a cabinet can prevent screws from puncturing food containers or utensils but still allow the placement of the screw for attaching hardware to cabinets.
- Right angle clamps have many uses in woodworking shops where they are used to hold pieces of wood together while nailing is being completed. This speeds up production by making it easier to hold more material at once using fewer hands and making less contact with the wooden surface so that you do not leave scratches on your finished product. Woodworkers also use them to hold objects down while applying pressure to other areas on their piece, such as gluing two slabs together and needing both sides flat and steady for consistent results.
- Right angle clamps are also helpful when installing ceramic tile by holding multiple pieces of corkboard in place around the perimeter. At the same time, more adhesive is applied, allowing for more even pressure on the tiles during installation. This prevents uneven pressure that can lead to cracked or loose tiles.
- Since most drivers are designed with right angle clamp attachments, you do not need to carry around multiple tools to get screw heads in straight and tight without damaging anything else on the screw head or other parts of the screw while applying pressure. Using a driver with an attached rectangular right angle clamp means that you get all of this easy functionality but with only one part, making storage easier and keeping extra tools necessary.
- Finally, right angle clamps are often used in home theater setups to hold down cable tie decorations on the side of your TV set. This is easy to do with adjustable right angle clamps that can be placed wherever you need them for anything else that won't work well with traditional tools or simply because they are easier to use than other options. They are also helpful if you have a complex setup and need to leave your system disassembled until it is time for usage but still want to keep everything tidy and in place while not in use.
The versatility of right-angle clamps makes using them an essential tool and hobby, and in almost any situation where there is a need for a right-angle.
10 Common Risks When Using a Right Angle Clamp: Know the Solutions
If you are building something that requires a right angle clamp, this article will tell you how to use the clamp correctly.
Risk #1: You will pinch your fingers in the clamp or on the metal tubing. This risk is quite significant for most people who have enough strength to cause serious injury with their pinched fingers.
Solution: To avoid having your finger(s) pinched by the clamps, do not put your hands anywhere near them when they are being used or moved. They should never be left unattended. If you need to secure yourself firmly against a table so that it does not slide along the ground while holding two pieces of wood together, hold onto any stable object instead of using your hand to try to stop the table from moving.
Risk #2: You will scratch your work surface with the metal bar of the clamp while pulling on it while applying pressure. This risk is also quite significant since you are likely to have scratches on your table for a long time if you don't notice them right away. If they are noticed, you probably won't be able to fix all of them without sanding down the entire surface.
Solution:
- Don't hold or pull on any part of the clamp with metal piping where there might be scratches.
- Hold onto only the plastic handles and bottom rubber locking grips when using it so that no damage can occur to most surfaces over which it is moved.
- Make sure not to knock it against any stable objects while holding onto the plastic handles; if you need to move it, then do so slowly.
Risk #3: You will twist the metal bar when trying to adjust its size. If this happens, you may be unable to use your clamp for its intended purpose anymore due to the bar being too wide or unable to fit in between two wood pieces any longer. Either way, this can cause a lot of frustration and problems in your future projects.
Solution: It is best to avoid twisting the metal bar altogether so that it reaches its maximum length within one turn and stays at this length without additional force from you ever again. To ensure that an ideal amount of pressure is applied when moving or pressing the bar to avoid slipping, grip tighter on the plastic handles. The more pressure you have to use to the metal bar to move at all, the less likely it can twist out of position while being set up.
Risk #4: You will pinch your fingers when opening or closing one of the two bars/arms. If this happens, just like with Risk #1 you will likely cause yourself a lot of pain and possible injury since your hand might be pinched between the gripping arm and the rocker clamp itself. Depending on how badly you were pinched by either one or both sides, there could also be damage was done that needs medical attention--you should seek it if the pain isn't going away.
Solution: Again, make sure not to hold or pull on any part of the clamp with metal piping where there might be scratches. If you need access to both sides of a table while using this clamp, place two separate clamps on either side of it at once with them facing in opposite directions; their rockers should not connect them. This way, you will only pinch your fingers if the bar slips and slides out from between both bars' gripping arms (which won't happen if you apply enough pressure for it to grip).
Risk #5: You will scratch your work surface when moving or transporting this clamp around due to it having unpadded edges everywhere except for the bottom rubber grips. If this happens, expect a lot of pain or possibly injury when you scrape it along the edge of your table(s) while applying pressure to grip. In addition, a clamp can be damaged if one side is moved too close to the surface you are pressing against, making it difficult or impossible to remove once it's in place.
Solution: Make sure not to have any rough edges facing your table(s) when using this clamp if at all possible so that no scratches occur on them. You should also be careful in moving it around with a hand underneath any metal piping or bars so that they won't drag anything along and scratch up wood surfaces in their path, including where they will rest when not in use.
Risk #6: You will get oil, grease, dirt, or other residues on your hands while using this clamp. This can take place due to it coming out of its packaging covered in some coating that has the potential to wear off over time or when used with certain types of materials around it (i.e., metal). If these materials touch your skin, you will likely get dirty and greasy handprints all over them, which will be impossible to clean without taking a shower afterward.
Solution: Don't store or transport this clamp anywhere where there will be any likelihood that it might come into contact with anything containing oil since it is not known if the manufacturer used a coating/sealant on it or not. This might be something to ask about before buying one of these clamps if you plan on using it a lot and aren't sure if its surfaces will come into contact with oils from your skin, clothes, etc.
Risk #7: You will damage the fastening device that keeps this clamp locked when trying to set it up for use by hand since you won't be able to apply enough pressure correctly with just your fingers. If this happens, then there is a chance that you might break either its rockers or bar clamping mechanisms because they aren't strong enough to withstand specific applications. Again, this damage will probably occur because you can't apply force through things like gloves, wet hands, or even just due to your hand strength.
Solution: You should get a hold of the manufacturer to order the proper tools for use with this clamp if it doesn't come with any originally since they are not known to be available anywhere else. Make sure that you have at least two before using this clamp to stay where it is secured while the other is being used on one side of whatever you are clamping between them. This will help prolong keeping your hands away from greasy surfaces and possible injury when applying pressure evenly along both arms' gripping bars to keep them in place instead of only one arm's bar(s).
Risk #8: You will break off its metal piping or tear up its rubber grips if you don't have a good grip on this clamp when trying to move it from one place to the next. This is most likely to occur if you grab it by any of its exposed metal parts or those made from plastic since those things will be the first ones that will slip out of your hands as they will have no traction on anything unless they are wet/greasy.
Solution: If possible, use a pair of gloves while handling these clamps so that you can maintain a firm grip without worrying about slipping at all during transport or setup/use. This might not be an option for some people due to allergies or just general laziness, but either way, make sure to at least wipe down whatever your hands touch after touching this clamp to keep your hands clean. Also, make sure not to touch anything while transporting it, or you will get a dirty/greasy film all over it from the natural oils on your skin.
Risk #9: You will damage any surfaces holding pipes rest on while moving, installing, or using this clamp if you don't have a good grip on it when carrying it around due to heavy use or slippery hand strength. As the pipes rest on wood, they can scratch the surface and dent the edges since your combined weight and your pipe can be too much for the wood.
Solution: During use or setup, this clamp should not be moved unless it is securely fastened into place with a second right angle clamp; otherwise, if one of its sides starts sliding, you will most likely rip it off the surface; it is attached to. Also, make sure to not grab these pipes by any other part besides their grips when carrying/transporting this clamp due to the possibility of ripping off their clamps or tearing up their rubber parts which can happen if mishandled.
Risk #10: You will break either arm's gripping bar, the rocker mechanism, or both while applying pressure evenly on them together but unevenly with just one of them. This will cause uneven (uneven) pressure when applied to the surface clamping between these two gripping bars. As a result, it might either fail to hold things securely or even collapse if something weakens its structure. This is also more likely to occur if you are tired, rushed, or impatient because your grip (on both arms' gripping bars at once) will slip out of your hands while trying to apply force through just one arm's bar alone, which could be the result of improper application.
Solutions: Use two right angle clamps together, even if they are identical models, so that the surface is clamped evenly and not just one gripping bar, even if one gripping bar is not strong enough by itself. Make sure that you are applying force with the flat side of the gripping bar(s) together against what is being clamped so that you can use their full edge-to-edge width (if they are not dented on either sides' sides already) for support. It will distribute evenly any pressure you apply between these two gripping bars towards the surface they are holding instead of just one arm's bar doing all of the work. If there is only one arm's bar available, make sure to place your hand(s) on its grip too while using another right angle clamp with its other arm's bar to apply pressure against it so that the force is distributed evenly. This will result in better results overall than just one arm clamped by itself being used for this purpose regardless of whether you are using two right angle clamps together or just one!
10 Tips on How to Use the Right Angle Clamp Effectively
A right angle clamp can be a valuable tool to have in your arsenal. Inexpensive and simple, they provide the ability to hold workpieces at 90-degree angles to each other or too small tools such as files or rasps, which make them perfect for projects. However, when using one of these clamps effectively, there are some things you need to know.
- Make sure to use it properly, so everything is level. If the top board isn't flush with whatever surface it's on, your project won't turn out well because the bottom board will be skewed.
- Use rubber pads when possible. Having enough padding between surfaces means you don't risk scratching any components up while you're working with the clamp.
- You can also use glue on top of rubber pads. It'll help keep the top board down while you're working, but it might make for a more permanent solution.
- Make sure to use clamps on either side of the boards, no matter their size. That way, everything is held together firmly and securely without shifting or sliding around.
- If possible, put one of the boards in first to hold only its edge by the clamp. The bottom board will be easier to set up if it isn't pressed against any surface during installation.
- Work slowly when putting anything together with this clamp. It's easy for small pieces to slip and fall off or to get moved out of place during the process. It may require a little more time, but you'll be much happier with how it turns out in the end if you do so.
- If you need your clamp for later, make sure to remove whatever is holding it together before storing it. You don't want to put something else underneath it because you forgot and risk damaging both pieces when trying to pick them up later.
- Make sure any rubber pads aren't too worn down on the side that has them. They should still have some padding left; otherwise, they won't work as well or protect surfaces as well anymore.
- Always use this clamp with something very light. Even when using it correctly, this tool will press down with quite a bit of pressure. If you use something like a board that's too heavy, you could end up with some warped boards or broken clamps in the end.
- Make sure to keep any components tight in this clamp unless you're trying to glue them together. This way, they'll stay firmly attached while everything is drying and won't be able to move around. If you don't tighten them enough, they might break free when the glue dries, and your piece won't turn out well because of it.
If all these tips are followed when using right angle clamps, you should have no problems getting completed perfectly! You need to be a little patient and do things properly, and you should have no problems.
Final Words
In this blog post, we've provided a quick introduction to the right angle clamp. However, you can use it in many ways when working with wood and need an angled edge for your project. We hope that our short guide has been helpful!
If there is anything else you want to know about these clamps or other tools, feel free to reach out. Our team would be happy to help answer your questions and provide recommendations on how best to handle different situations where a tool like this may come in handy.