2 Clever Handscrew Clamp Upgrades for Better Workholding
Wooden handscrew clamps have been around for generations, and they're still some of the most versatile workholding tools you can keep in your shop. Their adjustable jaws make them useful for holding irregularly shaped parts, securing workpieces during assembly, and tackling clamping jobs that ordinary bar clamps can't easily handle.
But one of the best features of a handscrew clamp is how easily you can customize it. Unlike metal clamps, the hardwood jaws can be drilled, notched, or shaped to suit a specific task.
With just a couple of simple modifications, you can turn an ordinary handscrew into an even more useful woodworking accessory.
1. Add Bench Dogs to Create a Handscrew Workholding Vise
A traditional woodworking workbench often includes dog holes for securing workpieces. By adding a pair of hardwood dowels to a handscrew clamp, you can take advantage of those holes to create a quick, adjustable workholding fixture.
The modification is straightforward. Drill two appropriately spaced holes in one jaw of the handscrew and install 3/4"-diameter dowels that match the dog holes in your workbench.
The dowels allow the handscrew to register in the benchtop and help keep it from shifting during use.
With two modified handscrews positioned in the bench dog holes, you can create an adjustable holding setup for boards and other workpieces. The handscrews provide a firm grip while allowing you to reposition the workpiece as needed.
This is particularly handy for working on long or awkwardly shaped parts that are difficult to secure with a conventional bench vise.
Make the Dowels Fit Your Workbench
Before drilling the handscrew jaws, check the diameter and spacing of your workbench dog holes. Although 3/4" holes are common, some benches use different sizes.
Position the dowels so the clamp sits securely on the benchtop without interfering with the threaded spindles or jaw adjustment.
The goal is a snug, removable fit that allows you to reposition the handscrew whenever you need another workholding setup.
2. Notch the Jaws to Grip Round Stock
Round workpieces can be frustrating to clamp. Dowels, spindles, and other cylindrical parts have a tendency to roll or slip between flat clamping surfaces.
A simple notch in the wooden jaws of a handscrew solves this problem.
Cut a shallow V-shaped notch into the end of each jaw. The angled surfaces provide additional contact points that help cradle round stock and keep it from shifting.
Because the jaws can still pivot independently, you can adjust the handscrew to accommodate different diameters.
This modification is useful when drilling, shaping, sanding, or performing other operations on round wooden parts.
Keep the Notches Shallow
You don't need to remove much material to make the notches effective. A shallow V-shaped cut is usually enough to improve the grip on round stock.
Avoid cutting too deeply into the jaws, which could weaken the clamp or reduce its usefulness for ordinary clamping tasks.
For maximum versatility, consider dedicating one handscrew to holding round stock while keeping your other clamps unmodified.
When drilling or machining a round workpiece, make sure the handscrew itself is secured against movement.
Get More Versatility From Your Woodworking Clamps
One of the biggest advantages of wooden handscrew clamps is that they can do much more than simply hold two boards together.
Their hardwood jaws are easy to modify, and the independent adjustment of the threaded spindles makes them useful for gripping parts that other clamps struggle to hold.
Whether you're creating an adjustable workholding vise with bench dogs or adding notches for round stock, these simple upgrades make a traditional woodworking tool even more valuable.
Sometimes the best shop accessories aren't new tools at all. They're clever ways to get more use from the tools you already own.
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Handscrew Clamps: One of the Most Versatile Woodworking Clamps
There's a reason wooden handscrew clamps have been a workshop staple for generations. From holding small parts to supporting boards and simplifying glueups, these traditional clamps can solve all kinds of workholding problems.
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