Bar Clamps V.S. Parallel Clamps

[WoodWizard33]

For cabinet making, fine furniture, and finish carpentry which would be better bar clamps or parallel clamps? 

[Immortan D]

Long clamps (24" and up): parallel or pipe clamps work a lot better than bar clamps.

[Chet]

I use parallel clamps.  I like them better the pipe although pipe clamps served me adequately for many years.  There are also a lot of members here that have both parallels and bar clamps so you are probably going to get a lot of input. 

[BillyJack]

7 hours ago, WoodWizard33 said:

For cabinet making, fine furniture, and finish carpentry which would be better bar clamps or parallel clamps? 

 

All of them...

[Coop]

When laminating two pieces together, bar clamps for me, tend to twist the pieces out of shape. I’m sure some sort of caul would eliminate that but that’s a pain. 

[bradpotts]

I think it is a preference thing. I only use pipe clamps. The main reason is because pipe clamps are cheaper and you can adjust the length by switching the size pipe. I also like that they are lighter and I can get more clamping pressure. I don't like the plastic deals they put on them so I cut pieces of cork and glue them on with spray adhesive. This helps keep from marring the wood especially if you have to glue something up after finishing it. I do this with face frames for cabinets.

 

[WoodWizard33]

Thanks everyone for your answers! I think I will go with combination of pipe and bar clamps then slowly upgrade to parallel clamps. 

[Coop]

I’m assuming this is what everyone is referring to as bar clamps?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-Clutch-Style-24-in-Capacity-Bar-Clamp-with-Wood-Handle-and-2-1-2-in-Throat-Depth-GSCC2-524/204986197#overlay

[wtnhighlander]

I have several of the Irwin pipe clamps from Lowe's. I find them handy, because both ends are clutch-attached, so threaded pipe isn't necessary. That let me re-purpose several pieces of rigid metallic conduit I already had.

The down side is that I nearly ALWAYS manage grab the screw head in such a way as to release the clutch, usually dropping the pipe on my foot.

@Coop, there is one more reason for shoes in the shop!

[Coop]

Funny you should say that. Last week I had 3 of the HF bar clamps in my hand to put them back in their rack when one slipped and fell on my big toe nail. It is ingrown anyway and made it that much painful but maybe the nail will come off without me having to go to the foot doc. 

[bradpotts]

Sorry guys! I edited my post. I kept saying bar clamps and meant pipe clamps. Although, I also have a lot of bar clamps but I wouldn't put them in the same category as parallel clamps. 

 

[gee-dub]

45 minutes ago, bradpotts said:

Sorry guys! I edited my post. I kept saying bar clamps and meant pipe clamps. Although, I also have a lot of bar clamps but I wouldn't put them in the same category as parallel clamps. 

 

When you need a pipe clamp you are glad to have them on hand.  For most cabinet and case work parallel clamps are my go-to.  I use a lot of the Bessey UniKlamps which are really just bar clamps with special head-shells on them.  One could argue that all parallel clamps are just this ;-) 

Be that as it may, parallel clamps upped my game considerably by allowing a more controlled application of clamping pressure. Parallel clamps will grab where pipe clamps will not based on their geometry. 

If I couldn't have pipe clamps I would have some I-beam type clamps on hand for the times you need that rigidity and power.  Cutting boards and forcing bending forms closed comes to mind.

[Robby W]

I use pipe clamps, mainly because I am too cheap to by parallel clamps. I make it a point to alternate the clamps top and bottom to cancel out the tendency to pull the piece off center. 

I also love that you can use a pipe coupling and splice up clamps of any length. I usually to to HD and by a 10' piece of 3/4" galvanized pipe. I have them cut it into two 4' pieces and a 2' piece. Or three 3' pieces. I have them thread both ends. Cheap, versatile and huge clamping force.

[Tpt life]

I get criticized at times for not posting work pics here, but I am not doing the sexy work very often at all. I am being called on to repair things like a single kitchen drawer that blew out. At times like that, the depth of the jaws of a parallel clamp means half as many clamps. The clamps that come with studs that will lock them into dog holes can also be nice in that kind of arrangement. All of that can be done with pipe clamps and cauls, but that is more work and more clamps. This is part of why I keep both around. I use what works best for any given situation. 

[Tom King]

Some of each.