Woodworking & Carpentry

Everything you need to Know About Used Clamps   by William Tornetto

What are Woodworking Clamps?

In woodworking, the term clamp has two associations: permanent clamps that are applied to a product as part of its design and clamps that are used to secure wood during the woodworking process. For hobbyist woodworking, manual clamps that can be purchased at hardware stores are commonly used, while in commercial woodworking, clamps are typically used in the form of clamp machines, some of which are floor standing machines that use clamps as an ancillary part of their operation (e.g. high frequency gluing machines), and others of which are literally clamp machines that use a large assembly of rotating clamps to move wood pieces through a particular woodworking process. The types of clamps that a woodworking operation uses depend on two factors: the type of woodworking being performed and production demand. Although most small to midsized woodworking operations benefit from using a variety of floor standing machines that are generally described as clamp machines, rotating clamp machines are typically only used by large companies whose production demand demands them.

Is it Sensible to Buy Clamps Used?

The discussion of used clamps centers almost exclusively on industrial grade floor standing and rotating clamp machines, and the reason is obvious. New manual clamps are affordable on almost any budget, but commercial grade clamp machines can cost five figures, if not more. Therefore, in terms of price, it is always sensible to buy industrial clamp machines used, and, when buying from a reputable seller, poor performance quality ceases to be a concern. In many cases, woodworkers that plan on taking their operation to the next level become possessed by the idea that starting a new operation necessitates purchasing new machinery. However, even large, well-established woodworking companies are known to buy Used Woodworking machines in order to maximize their bottom line. Unlike domestic grade Woodworking Machines, Industrial Woodworking machines are designed to stand up to industrial level use for years and, if properly maintained, can perform like new well beyond their projected lifespan.

How do You Assess the Quality of Used Clamps?

Assessing the quality of used clamps follows the same process as assessing the quality of other used woodworking machines. First, you should only consider buying from professional resellers of industrial Woodworking Machinery, as buying from auctions or an auction site like eBay could result in purchasing a lemon. Second, you should always research a seller’s reputation at the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Buying from a seller that has unresolved customer complaints could mean that you end up joining the list. Third, always ask to see a copy of a machine’s official maintenance record; if it hasn’t been regularly maintained, don’t buy it. Last, try to conduct a first hand inspection of the machine, or have a third party do it for you. Following these tips will lead you to quality used clamps at a great price.

About the Author

In my research on used woodworking machines, I discovered the value of purchasing used clamps.
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