By Tony Carrick | Updated Apr 2, 2021 11:16 AM
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When it comes to woodworking, it can be frustrating to hold two pieces of wood together at a 90-degree angle to join them. It’s a process that could benefit from an extra set of hands. A corner clamp, or right-angle clamp, is a better option for these projects.
A right-angle clamp consists of an L-shaped arbor that pushes against an L-shaped frame via a handle that attaches to a spindle. The vise holds two pieces of wood at a 90-degree angle with the ends perfectly aligned, which frees your hands to join the two pieces together either with glue or fasteners.
This guide will review the top picks for some of the best right angle clamps for DIY projects.
We researched the most sought-after right angle clamps in their respective categories and discovered that the best models are determined by their materials, capacity, ease of use, and other special features included by top brands.
After extensive product research, we included options in our list of top picks that were made with materials that could withstand light- to heavy-duty clamping pressure,including aluminum alloy, steel, carbon steel, and ABS plastic. We also included a range of options that could accommodate various thicknesses, with some options being able to hold materials of up to 2.75 inches wide.
Many of the options we included on this list were also simple to use with the help of comfortable rubber grips on the handles, one-handed operation, and adjustable screws and interchangeable heads.
A right angle clamp will make an excellent addition to a workshop. They are built with durable materials and innovative designs that simplify the process of joining wood and other materials at right angles. Below are some of the top options on the market today, each organized by category and including a list of thoroughly vetted pros and cons. Best Overall1 Housolution Right Angle Clamp Photo: amazon.com SEE IT Product Specs Material: Aluminum alloy and rubberRange: Up to 2.68 inchesEase of use: Easy ProsLarge jaw size is capable of holding a wide range of thicknesses; maximum of 2.68 inchesLightweight and durable aluminum-alloy construction is suitable for light- to heavy-duty useComfortable rubberized handle is easy to hold for adjusting the tightness of the clamp2 predrilled holes allow the clamp to be affixed to a workbench if desired ConsSome users have reported that tightening the clamps too much can cause malfunction With its sturdy and simple-to-use design, this right angle clamp from Housolution is a winner for woodworkers. Simply hold the material in place with one hand with its one-handle setup and tighten the knob to lock the workpiece securely in place with the clamp’s 3.74-inch wide and 1.4-inch deep jaw. This right-angle clamp is capable of clamping wood, metal tubes, and even glass with a maximum jaw opening of 2.68 inches. An easy-to-grip rubberized handle allows users to operate the clamp with ease while a durable die-cast aluminum-alloy body ensures this clamp will tightly grip both pieces without warping or cracking. Two holes allow users to affix this clamp to a workbench. Get the Housolution right angle clamp at Amazon.
With its sturdy and simple-to-use design, this right angle clamp from Housolution is a winner for woodworkers. Simply hold the material in place with one hand with its one-handle setup and tighten the knob to lock the workpiece securely in place with the clamp’s 3.74-inch wide and 1.4-inch deep jaw. This right-angle clamp is capable of clamping wood, metal tubes, and even glass with a maximum jaw opening of 2.68 inches.
An easy-to-grip rubberized handle allows users to operate the clamp with ease while a durable die-cast aluminum-alloy body ensures this clamp will tightly grip both pieces without warping or cracking. Two holes allow users to affix this clamp to a workbench.
Get the Housolution right angle clamp at Amazon.
For those who want to do their light woodworking tasks on a budget, the Casimr clamps may be just the ticket. This pack of four clamps is made to fit boards of 0.1875 inch to 0.75 inch and has a high spring tension for keeping boards and other materials in place. It is also built for one-handed operation, which comes in handy for woodworkers with busy hands.
The manufacturer ensures that these clamps can withstand frequent use, so they’re made with tough ABS plastic and strong steel. The only downside to this top pick is that it is not as strong as some other options on this list and should not be used for heavy-duty woodworking projects.
Get the Casimr right angle clamp at Amazon.
Light-duty projects such as picture frames and crafting projects don’t demand a heavy-duty clamp with aluminum alloy and large jaws. For smaller projects, this right-angle clamp will get the job done. Its construction prevents warping or cracking, while a rubberized grip makes tightening the clamp a breeze. With a clamping range of 2.6 inches, this clamp offers plenty of clearance for most projects.
The clamping screw also pivots to allow for joining materials of different thicknesses. Holes on the clamp base permit mounting the clamp to a workbench. This is a great crafting option that even includes a childproof handle to prevent little fingers from being clamped.
Get the Sedy right angle clamp at Amazon.
For bigger jobs, shoppers need a clamp that will hold up to the weight of larger pieces of wood and metal. With its larger capacity and durable quality, this right-angle clamp can manage larger projects. Its jaws open wide to handle materials up to 2.8 inches wide. It’s also strong enough to withstand tough jobs with its rustproof steel arbor and aluminum body construction.
This makes it a viable option for furniture making and even welding. This clamp is also easy to operate thanks to a large handle and rubber-coated grip. Other features include moveable jaws for clamping different-size pieces together and holes for mounting the clamp to a workbench.
Get the Weichuan right angle clamp at Amazon.
Durable construction and a large capacity make this right-angle corner clamp from Tacklife an excellent option for serious woodworkers. It’s made of aluminum alloy with a tough carbon steel arbor and a ribbed design that gives it a high load capacity.
It won’t warp or crack under the pressure of heftier materials. It offers a maximum clamping range of 2.75 inches (70 millimeters), giving it plenty of capacity for bigger projects. A thick rubberized handle provides something substantial to turn while a heat-treated threaded rod and steel rotating nut ensure the clamp will hold up to a lot of pressure. This is an excellent clamp for heavy-duty projects such as cabinet making, welding, and glasswork.
Get the Tacklife right angle clamp at Walmart.
The right angle clamp from Wolfcraft can take on the simple and complicated tasks thrown its way. This lightweight aluminum clamp has a 3-inch clamp face with a V-groove design for clamping straight materials and round objects, plus it accommodates materials as thick as 2.5 inches.
Since the clamps can be individually set, this clamp accommodates materials of differing sizes, making it perfect for furniture building, cabinetry, picture frames, and crafting. For added user-friendliness, this Wolfcraft clamp is made with ergonomic handles to prevent strain on the user and includes a quick-release button for adjusting the clamp’s position.
Get the Wolfcraft right angle clamp at Amazon or The Home Depot.
While right angle clamps are ideal for most jobs, some projects may require more versatility. For those occasions, rely on the Naye multi-angle corner clamps. These four multi-position clamps accommodate 60-, 90-, and 120-degree angles with the help of the interchangeable heads and eight rubber caps. When the right attachments are in place for the given material’s thickness, squeeze the spring mechanism and clamp the unit where it is needed on materials of 0.125 to 1.25 inches thick. For added user-friendliness, these clamps can be used with one hand when building cabinetry, furniture, and picture frames.
Get the Naye right angle clamp at Amazon.
Joining wood, metal, or any other material at a right angle can be a clumsy process. A right-angle clamp can make the entire ordeal easier, but only if you buy the right one. To determine which right-angle clamp is best for your workshop, it’s prudent to consider factors like durability, accuracy, and clamping range.
A right angle clamp’s construction is the key to its performance. Lightweight clamps are made out of thinner aluminum or even plastic, meaning they’ll work well for light-duty jobs, such as picture frame building, but they won’t hold up to clamping together heavier materials for projects like cabinet building or metal welding. For heavy-duty tasks, look for clamps with reinforced aluminum bodies and steel spindles and arbors.
Accuracy and material type go hand in hand. Durable aluminum alloy and steel clamps won’t warp or bend under pressure, which allows for a perfect 90-degree angle. Single-handle clamps also offer a high degree of accuracy, as they enable users to clamp both pieces simultaneously via a single handle once aligned.
A right-angle clamp isn’t suitable if it can’t hold the materials you want to clamp together. Make sure to check how wide the clamp’s jaws can open to determine if it offers a wide enough range to hold the materials you need to join. Most clamps can hold materials up to 60 millimeters (2.36 inches) to 70 millimeters (2.75 inches) wide. All clamps on our list can join materials of two different widths.
The clamp’s capacity incorporates both its range, described above, and the jaw’s width and depth. Most clamps have a jaw width between 3.5 and 4 inches and a jaw depth between 1 and 1.5 inches. A clamp with a wide and deep jaw has more surface area to clamp the materials being joined.
The greater the jaw’s width, the more stable the clamp can be holding longer and heavier materials in place. While a smaller angle clamp may suffice for a picture frame project, an angle clamp with a longer jaw is necessary for projects involving larger pieces, such as cabinetmaking.
The spindle is the long nut attached to the handle that threads through the arbor and into a bolt. The handle turns the spindle, which tightens the clamp. Given that it’s responsible for holding the material in place, it’s the critical component in a right-angle clamp. Most spindles are made out of aluminum. Heavy-duty clamps feature heat-treated spindles with steel nuts, which are harder and thus more durable than standard steel. Heat-treated spindles are less likely to bend or strip under the pressure of clamping larger materials.
Given how tricky the process is to align two pieces of wood, metal, or glass into the clamp, the handle is an integral part of a right angle clamp. In most cases, users will want to operate the handle with one hand while using the other to steady the two pieces they’re clamping together. For ease of use, most right angle clamps work with a single handle that clamps both parts simultaneously. The handle should be large enough to tighten easily with one hand.
Getting a good grip on the handle as you’re holding everything in place is crucial. With that in mind, most handles feature padded nonslip grips that are easy to hold while tightening the clamp.
It used to be that right-angle clamps featured multiple handles and jaws that required more aligning and turning. Innovations in right-angle clamps make setup much more manageable nowadays. Clamps designed with single handles operate one L-shaped jaw that can clamp both pieces at the same time. These clamps can also pivot on the spindle to accommodate pieces with two different widths. And if that doesn’t offer enough ease, most angle clamps feature holes in the base that allow them to be mounted to a workbench to add more stability for setup.
If you need a bit more guidance before choosing one of the best right angle clamps, read on for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
Place the clamp face up on a flat surface, making sure there’s enough space for the two pieces you plan to join and that the clamp’s jaws are open. Slide the first piece into the clamp, lining the end up with the corner of the clamp’s arbor. Slide in the second piece until it meets with the first piece. Align the two parts until the ends are flush to each other with no overhanging edges. Hold the pieces in place with one hand while tightening the clamp with the other. Tighten by turning the handle clockwise until firm. Avoid over-tightening, which may damage the material.
Irregularly shaped materials will not fit flush to the clamp’s flat jaws, preventing it from adequately holding the piece. To fix this problem, you’ll want to create a brace out of scrap wood that fits between the clamp jaws and the material. The brace, which can be a single piece or multiple pieces, includes a flat side that fits flush to the jaws and an irregular side that fits flush to the piece. The brace allows the clamp to grip firmly by filling the gaps between the jaws and the irregularly shaped piece.
There are a couple of ways to do this. One method is to use a miter saw to create a miter joint. Cut each end to be joined at a 45-degree angle using a miter saw. Apply glue to the ends of the pieces. Using the right angle clamp, clamp the pieces so the mitered ends butt together, creating a mitered joint. Allow the glue to dry, then use nails or screws to reinforce the joint. If using screws, drill a pilot hole for each screw to prevent the wood from splitting.
You can also join the two pieces using a basic butt joint. Simply place the end of one board against the side of the end of the other in the angle vice, making sure the ends are flush. As with a miter cut, use glue to join and reinforce with nails or screws once dry.
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
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