10 Best Handscrew Tips PDF

10 Handscrew Tips best
Simply put, handscrew clamps can

handle a lot of jobs other clamps
can’t. No matter how many dif-
a handscrew invaluable around
the shop. For example, its deep
reach makes it ideal for clamping
Hopefully, these tips will give you
an idea of just how indispensable
handscrews can be.
ferent clamping devices you run a workpiece to a bench. It provides You’ll also find a chart of hand-
across, few can match the versatil- an extra hand for safely machin- screw sizes to help you out when
ity of a traditional handscrew. ing small parts. And the jaws of a you’re ready to buy handscrews.
For starters, the wood jaws of a handscrew have the unique ability Finally, you’ll learn some tips and
handscrew won’t mar the surface to be angled, which is essential for techniques for maintaining hand-
of a workpiece. More importantly, clamping workpieces that don't screws to help ensure they’ll last
the jaws provide even clamping have parallel faces. for many years.
pressure to prevent glued-up parts Well, the list could go on — and
from twisting out of alignment. it does go on. I’ve compiled a list
Of course, there are many other of my ten favor-
clamping operations that make ite handscrew tips.
1 NON-PARALLEL SURFACES
The two pivoting jaws of a handscrew can apply
even pressure to non-parallel surfaces, as on this bev-
eled frame. To do this, simply adjust the end spindle
to open the jaws wide. Then, adjust the middle spin-
dle to close the front of the jaws to match the taper or
bevel of the workpiece.
A DEEP REACH 2
The long jaws on this handscrew provide a tremen-
dous amount of reach, extending farther in from the
edge of a workpiece than many other types of clamps.
That’s just the solution for applying decorative trim to
a project, as shown here. Also, by adjusting the jaws
so they’re not parallel, the clamp can reach over other
project parts, if necessary.
ShopNotes No. 106 Page 1 of 5 ©2009 August Home Publishing. All rights reserved.
3 ALIGN WOOD EDGING
When gluing solid-wood edging to a ply-
wood shelf or cabinet, the thin strip has
a tendency to slip out of alignment. The
solution is to use small handscrews to hold
the edging in place (while you clamp it against
the plywood).
4 OFFSET THE JAWS

By “racking” the spindles in the slotted jaws of a hand-
screw, you can offset the ends of the jaws. This comes
in handy when you need to apply clamping pressure
to two parts that don’t align with one another, as when
gluing a drawer pull to the front of a drawer.
GLUING SMALL PROJECTS 5

Sometimes you can glue up an entire project with just
a couple of handscrews. Take the small box at left, for
instance. Rather than using a number of clamps to
apply pressure all around the box, simply nestle the
box between the jaws of the handscrews and tighten
them. Just make sure the jaws are parallel for even
clamping pressure across the joint.
6 BENCHTOP VISE
The flat sides of the jaws make a handscrew a con-
venient benchtop vise. For example, when applying
glue to the edge of a workpiece, you can keep it from
tipping over by clamping it in a handscrew.
ROUND PIECES 7
By cutting a V-shaped notch in each jaw of a hand-
screw, you can make a great clamp for holding dowels
or other round objects. This comes in especially handy
when you need to hold a dowel steady for drilling.
8 STOP BLOCK
It’s difficult to imagine an easier-to-use stop block
than a handscrew. After all, it serves as the stop block
and the clamp that holds it in place — all in one. Once
you establish the location of the stop block, simply
tighten the handscrew on the fence.
SAFER CLAMPING 9
When it comes to some machining operations, a hand-
screw can be used closer to the action. Plus, it can go
where a metal clamp can’t or, more to the point, where
it shouldn’t. Unlike a metal clamp, it’s not a big deal if
a bit or blade comes in contact with the wood jaw of a
handscrew.
10 HOLD-DOWN
A handscrew is ideal for securing a small piece on
the drill press. After clamping the workpiece, secure
the handscrew to the drill press table, as shown. Now
you can drill the hole without having to worry about
the workpiece spinning around.
SIZE CHART
HANDSCREW Overall Jaw Capacity Reach to
Size Length between Jaws* Middle Spindle
5/0 4" 2" - 21⁄4" 2"
4/0 5" 21⁄2" - 23⁄4" 21⁄2"
3/0 6" 3" 3"
2/0 7" 31⁄2" 31⁄2"
0 8" 41⁄2" - 5" 4"
1 10" 6" - 7" 5"
2 12" 81⁄2" - 91⁄4" 6"
3 14" 10" - 101⁄4" 7"
4 16" 12" 8"
5 18" 14" 9"
6 20" 14" 10"
7 24" 17" 12"
*capacity VARIES WITH MANUFACTURER
MITER KIT
Here’s a great accessory that converts a hand-
screw into a handy miter clamp. It consists of
two metal brackets that mount to the jaws of
the handscrew and two pins that thread into
holes in the brackets.
To clamp a miter joint, fit the pins into { Add-On. Turn an
holes drilled in the back of the pieces. Then ordinary handscrew
apply even clamping pressure, carefully drawing the into a miter clamp
mitered pieces together. For more information, go with a miter kit.
online to AdjustableClamp.com or call 312-666-0640.
< Tight Miters.

After drilling a
stopped hole in
the back of each
frame piece, place
the pins in the
holes and draw
the pieces tight for
a seamless joint.
MAINTENANCE
{ Remove Excess Oil. The { Sand The Face. To avoid { Lube The Spindles. Spraying
wood jaws of new handscrews marring a workpiece, sand off the spindles with a silicone-free
are oiled to prevent glue from any dried glue. Then apply a coat lubricant will keep them operating
sticking to them. But this oil or two of an oil-based finish.. smoothly and prevent rust.
can transfer to the surface of a
workpiece, interfering with any
finish you might apply. To soak
up the excess oil, clamp the jaws
against a paper towel overnight.

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10 Handscrew Tips best

Simply put, handscrew clamps can

4 OFFSET THE JAWS

GLUING SMALL PROJECTS 5

*capacity VARIES WITH MANUFACTURER

< Tight Miters.

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