I found the article I was thinking of. It is in the September/October 2004 issue of Fine Woodworking. The author rated four types of clamps. He likes the parallel jaw clamps the best. This is what Norm on New Yankee Workshop typically uses. He also tested 3/4 inch pipe clamps, aluminum bar clamps and steel bar clamps, all in 4 foot size. The maximum force was 2000+ lbs for the steel bar clamp, 1200 lbs for the pipe clamp, 800 lbs for the aluminum bar clamp and 600 lbs for the parallel jaw clamp. The author considered the force of the parallel jaw clamp adequate for clamping 3 square inches of joint. That would give you some indication of how many clamps would be required of each type. The main reason the author liked the parallel jaw clamp is similar to what Loring is commenting on, the jaws stay at right angles to the long dimension of the clamp. The aluminum bar clamp is next best in this attribute with the pipe clamps the worst. I don't consider this much of a factor because I always put a clamp pad, typically of softwood, between the clamp and the piece I'm working on unless I plan to rip off the edge the clamp contacted. Adding the caul is a pain but it's necessary to avoid an ugly mark from the clamp. I also occasionally get an ugly black mark from the pipe of the clamp if glue gets on it. I'm sure I would also like the weight of the aluminum bar clamp better. The top rated of each type and listed cost are: Pipe Clamp - Rockler sure-foot pipe clamp ($15); Parallel Jaw Clamp - Bessey K Body ($40); Aluminum Bar Clamp - Universal (Highland hardware $27); Steel Bar Clamp - Jorgensen No. 7248 ($33). It looks to me like the pipe clamp doesn't include the pipe which would make it more similar in price to the others. If you bought the HF clamp (which wasn't tested), you might get there for $15. I think the Rockler head piece alone is close to $15.
The author of this article recommended 6 or 8 of the parallel jaw clamps plus 4 of the 2 foot and 4 foot aluminum bar clamps plus a few long pipe clamps. Another nice thing about the parallel jaw clamps is they have plastic faces so you may not need to use the scrap to avoid denting the wood. He admitted following his recommendations would cost about $500. I'm sure you would also have nice clamps.
What I have is 6 two foot clamps with wood round handles like the parallel jaw clamps but with faces like a C clamp plus the pipe clamps I mentioned above, plus a dozen or more C clamps from 6 inches to 3 inches. You could get all these at HF. This collection has worked for me for 20+ years. If I had spent a bit more initially to have aluminum bar clamps, I might be recommending them but I was cheap and bought pipe clamps and they have served me pretty well.
Jim
The author of this article recommended 6 or 8 of the parallel jaw clamps plus 4 of the 2 foot and 4 foot aluminum bar clamps plus a few long pipe clamps. Another nice thing about the parallel jaw clamps is they have plastic faces so you may not need to use the scrap to avoid denting the wood. He admitted following his recommendations would cost about $500. I'm sure you would also have nice clamps.
What I have is 6 two foot clamps with wood round handles like the parallel jaw clamps but with faces like a C clamp plus the pipe clamps I mentioned above, plus a dozen or more C clamps from 6 inches to 3 inches. You could get all these at HF. This collection has worked for me for 20+ years. If I had spent a bit more initially to have aluminum bar clamps, I might be recommending them but I was cheap and bought pipe clamps and they have served me pretty well.
Jim
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