Handscrew Clamps: One of the Most Versatile Woodworking Clamps
Wooden handscrew clamps may look a little old-fashioned compared to modern bar clamps and quick-grip clamps, but there's a good reason they've remained popular in woodworking shops for generations. Their adjustable hardwood jaws can grip irregular shapes, hold small parts securely, and provide support for tasks that ordinary clamps struggle to handle.
Unlike most woodworking clamps, a handscrew can be adjusted so its jaws remain parallel or angle toward one another. This makes it useful for everything from assembling projects to holding workpieces for drilling, planing, and shaping.
Here are a few practical ways to put these traditional clamps to work in your shop.
How Does a Wooden Handscrew Clamp Work?
A traditional handscrew clamp consists of two hardwood jaws connected by a pair of threaded steel spindles. Each spindle passes through cylindrical nuts mounted in the jaws.
The spindles have opposing right-hand and left-hand threads. Turning the wooden handles moves the jaws together or apart, allowing you to adjust both the opening and the angle of the clamping surfaces.
This independent adjustment is what makes a handscrew different from most other woodworking clamps.
With the jaws parallel, the clamp provides a broad gripping surface that distributes pressure across a workpiece. This is especially useful for holding parts flush during assembly or applying pressure over a larger area.
By adjusting the spindles independently, you can also angle the jaws to grip tapered, angled, or irregularly shaped pieces.
The long hardwood jaws provide plenty of reach, while their broad surfaces help reduce the chance of denting delicate workpieces.
1. Hold Small Parts Securely in a Face Vise
Small woodworking parts can be difficult to hold in a traditional workbench vise. Sometimes the workpiece sits too low between the vise jaws, making it difficult to reach with a hand plane, chisel, or other tool.
A handscrew clamp provides a simple solution.
First, secure the small workpiece between the jaws of the handscrew. Then clamp the handscrew itself in your workbench face vise.
This raises the workpiece above the vise and provides better access to the surfaces you're working on.
It's particularly useful for shaping small parts, cleaning up joinery, or working with pieces that would otherwise be awkward to hold.
The adjustable jaws also let you grip irregular shapes that may not fit securely in a standard vise.
2. Create a Stable Support for Edge Work
Working along the edge of a board can be challenging when the workpiece won't stand securely on its own.
A pair of handscrew clamps can act as temporary supports, holding a board upright while you work.
Attach one handscrew near each end of the board. Then secure the handscrews to your benchtop with additional clamps.
The wide hardwood jaws provide a stable base, while the adjustable openings accommodate boards of different thicknesses.
This setup is useful for tasks such as cleaning up edges, fitting joinery, or working on narrow surfaces with hand tools.
And because the handscrews can be repositioned quickly, you can adapt the setup to different workpieces without building a dedicated jig.
3. Hold Small or Awkward Parts for Drilling
Drilling holes in small woodworking parts can be difficult, especially when the pieces are too short or irregularly shaped to hold securely by hand.
Instead of trying to grip the workpiece directly, use a handscrew clamp as a temporary holding fixture.
Adjust the jaws to grip the part securely, then place the handscrew on the drill press table. Secure the clamp against movement before drilling.
The long jaws keep your hands farther from the drill bit and provide a larger, more manageable surface for positioning the workpiece.
This technique is particularly useful when drilling small blocks, narrow pieces, or parts with unusual shapes.
A handscrew also makes it easier to position multiple similar parts consistently.
Safety Tip: Always secure the handscrew and workpiece against rotation or movement during drilling. Don't rely on hand pressure alone to prevent the drill bit from grabbing the material.
4. Apply Even Pressure During Woodworking Glueups
Handscrew clamps are also useful for assembling woodworking projects, particularly when you need to keep parts aligned while the glue dries.
The long, flat jaws distribute pressure across a larger area than the small pads found on many conventional clamps.
This makes them handy for keeping adjoining surfaces flush during a glueup or holding several small components together.
For best results, adjust the jaws so they contact the workpieces evenly. You can also angle the jaws slightly when needed to accommodate tapered or irregularly shaped parts.
Because the jaws are made from hardwood, they provide a relatively gentle clamping surface. However, it's still a good idea to use protective pads when working with soft or easily dented wood.
Why Every Woodworking Shop Should Have a Few Handscrew Clamps
One of the biggest advantages of wooden handscrew clamps is their versatility.
They can serve as ordinary clamps, temporary vises, workholding fixtures, and even supports for larger workpieces. Their adjustable jaws make them especially useful when conventional clamps can't provide the right grip or reach.
And unlike specialized jigs that may only serve one purpose, a handscrew can be put to work on a wide variety of projects.
A couple of different sizes are a useful addition to any woodworking shop. Once you start experimenting with them, you'll find plenty of situations where these traditional clamps are the perfect solution.
RELATED VIDEO: The Essential Clamps Every Woodworker Needs
Support Long Boards With a Handscrew Clamp
Don't have a sliding deadman or board jack on your workbench? A simple handscrew clamp can provide the extra support you need when hand planing long boards in a face vise. See how this clever workholding trick keeps your workpiece steady.
WATCH THE VIDEO: How to Support Long Boards in a Face Vise
