Corner clamping suggestions

[Alanbach]

Lately I have been making quite a few projects where the under structure is made from 2-4’s and joined with the Kreg jig. I have one old style Kreg corner clamp which I love but one is not always enough. The newer style has a 1” capacity so that won’t work for me. I need a better system for holding corners at 90 degrees during fastening and glue up. I have the Rockler plastic Clamp-it clamping squares but the clamps make the process so fiddly and just not quick and easy. I like the look of Woodpeckers Clamping squares plus with their CSP clamps. They are a bit expensive for what they are but I will deal with that if that is the best solution.

So what do you use? I want to be able to move from corner to corner to corner quickly and easily and I need at least 1.5” capacity. I would love for them to be reasonably priced so that I can have plenty of them so that I can leave them on for an hour while the glue dries and keep moving through my projects without waiting.  I need some good ideas and tips from the hive mind that is the FOG. Thanks in advance.

 

[nclemmons]

Look at either the Woodpecker clamping squares or the Jevons clamping brackets.  I have both and they are great for accurate right angle glue-ups. 

https://www.woodpeck.com/clamping-squares-plus.html - I have the older versions without the clamps but if buying today would prefer these for easier assembly.

http://www.jevonstoolco.com - I have a set of these and they work well with spring clamps.

Quite a few choices on Amazon if you search for 'clamping squares' - for a variety of price points.

One other simple choice - make them from right angle 3/4 ply triangles that are 8" on a side with a hole drilled for inserting a clamp on each leg.  If you have scraps and FT or similar F-style clamps, it's a simple way to do glue-ups.  You can knock out 12 of them from a piece of 8" wide ply that's 50" long with an accurate miter gauge and a Forstner bit -

 

[Birdhunter]

I use 8 of the Woodpecker red aluminum clamping squares when I do a box. i use two for each joint. One at the top and one at the bottom. Mine are so old that they do not have the drilled holes. I make a lot of boxes and the Woodpecker squares are perfect.

 

[Gregor]

It leaves gouges on the edges where they clamp so they need to be patched if you want them to be a finished edge.

That nothing a pressing iron and a wet cloth won't fix in 15 seconds.

 

[fshanno]

I have the little plastic Rockler things too.  Rarely use them but they were a gift so....  I don't have much need for a clamp that holds the boards at a 90 without drawing them together.  Except maybe to hold them steady at a 90 for nailing. 

If the faces that meet are at a 90 you don't need them.  You need outside pressure to squeeze the contact faces.  And if the faces that meet aren't at a 90 then you've got problems. 

The clamp I like for pocket hole cases is the Kreg Right Angle Clamp.  This image pretty much says it all.  I have two and use them just like this.  The clamp also works well for 2x framing using the big blue screws.

[attachimg=1]

There is one issue.  When you pop the clamp open you have to be a little careful because it can sometimes kind of tear out the sides of the pocket hole.  But really that doesn't hurt the performance of the pocket hole.  I use the two holes close together on the jig at the extremities of the joint, one for a screw and one for the clamp. 

As with anything the ends you join together have to be cut square.

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.
I don't have much need for a clamp that holds the boards at a 90 without drawing them together.  Except maybe to hold them steady at a 90 for nailing. 

Indeed, those squares don't have any clamping force, and unless brads or screws are used, I don't find them much a help. They're too big for small boxes or get in the way, and the case could still be clamped out of square. At best, they're useful for dry-fitting.

I wouldn't waste any money on those clamping squares, and you could make them out of scrap blocks or plywood if you really want to try them out:
=28

 

[Cheese]

I use Clam Clamps for trim work.

[attachimg=1]

I use Woodpeckers phenolic corner clamps for other items. They have holes in the legs so I've bolted several together for larger/thicker clamping chores. The legs are 8" long, 1 3/4" wide & 3/4" thick.

Woodpeckers makes a production run usually once a year. Cost...$12.50 per clamp...pretty reasonable.  [big grin]

[attachimg=2]

 

[Euclid]

I've found these quite useful for a combination of alignment and clamping... though, as noted above, it's not beyond the wit of man to make something similar.
https://www.axminster.co.uk/ujk-technology-assembly-square-105280

 

[Alanbach]

Great replies guys, please keep em’ coming! Just a couple of notes...

1. In the case of the projects that prompted this post I use the Kreg jig and so I pull the joint together with screws, I just want the squares to keep the sides as close to 90 as possible while I install the glue and screws.

2. I certainly could cut out my own corner clamping jigs but what I am really looking for here is easy fast clamping. Preferably one handed application of the clamp and tightening of the clamp. When I am making these structures I am assembling one corner after another after another. I want to be able to move quickly and apply the glue and screws without help and while maintaining an accurate 90 degree corner.

 

[ChuckM]

In that case, consider using angled brackets of the appropriate size that are checked square -http://tinyurl.com/y4fcbk9u

Don't forget that you can break down a large glue-up into smaller ones where applicable.

If your case is large, you still need to check the diagonals for square regardless of what clamping squares you use.

 

[Rob Z]

Alan, I have a bunch of these corner jig thingys.  I lucked out and got a bunch of them years ago on sale. Even at "regular" price they are worth buying and I use them all the time.
http://www.jevonstoolco.com/

 

[rvieceli]

[member=66185]Alanbach[/member] as you have noticed it is difficult to give reasonable and relevant suggestions when we don't know what you are doing. Perhaps you could post a photo or two of your project and the suggestions would be better.

Ron

 

[fshanno]

Great replies guys, please keep em’ coming! Just a couple of notes...

1. In the case of the projects that prompted this post I use the Kreg jig and so I pull the joint together with screws, I just want the squares to keep the sides as close to 90 as possible while I install the glue and screws.

2. I certainly could cut out my own corner clamping jigs but what I am really looking for here is easy fast clamping. Preferably one handed application of the clamp and tightening of the clamp. When I am making these structures I am assembling one corner after another after another. I want to be able to move quickly and apply the glue and screws without help and while maintaining an accurate 90 degree corner.

As I said above the Kreg Right Angle Clamp is the one and only thing you need.  It is absolutely positively PERFECT for what you say you want.

Kreg solved your problem before you even knew you had a problem!

Watch this video and see for yourself. The Kreg Right Angle Clamp

Amazon has them for $35 each.  You can get by with one for most applications.  I like to use two when assembling big cases.

Those squares won't help you one tiny little iota for pocket hole joinery.

With pocket hole joinery an accurate 90 degree corner can only be achieved at the saw.  The only thing that any clamp can do in pocket hole joinery is too squeeze the faces together before the screws are driven.  And the only reason for using a clamp is to keep edges lined up flush until the screw is driven. 

The fastest and best clamp for right angle butt joints is the pocket hole right angle clamp.  It's best for pocket hole cabinetry and for pocket hole 2x framing.

Kreg may not have invented this particular type of clamp.  WEN makes one and Milescraft makes one and there may be others.  But the Kreg AutoMaxx has to be the best. 

Those little angle things people are showing you, plastic or metal or whatever are not for pocket hole joinery.  The Clam Clamp Miter Clamp is a fabulous tool for trim carpentry.  But it's not for pocket hole joinery

What you say you need is just exactly what the Right Angle Clamp does.  It is PERFECT for what you want.  You say you want one hand operation.  Great!  The Right Angle Clamp is designed to be used with one hand!  You say you want it to be fast.  Great!  The Right Angle Clamp is fast!  You say you're going to do one joint after another.  Great!  The Right Angle Clamp is tailor made for doing one joint after another. 

I've personally used the right angle clamp for assembling 2x4 frames using 2 1/2" long pocket hole screws.  It's perfect for that job.

So, Do not pass Go, Do not collect $200, Go directly to Amazon and order your new Kreg Right Angle Clamp!