Auto Adjust Clamps: Safer Woodworking And Cabinet Making

By Robert Robillard on Workshop tips

Bessey Auto Adjust Toggle Clamp

Bessey Auto Adjust Toggle Clamp

When it comes to efficiently and productivity in the shop, or on a job site, nothing beats tools and jigs that free your hands up and make your work safer and more accurate. In most cases great jigs involve some sort of clamping device.

Many times when working in the shop I end up wishing I had help or an extra hand to hold something.  When working alone in your shop its important to find the right tools or jigs that make your work process flow easier, faster and stress free.  I recently had the opportunity to update my shaper table cutter sled with Bessey Auto Adjust Toggle Clamp.

Cabinet Door Making Jigs

My shaper sleds are dedicated to making frame and panel cabinet doors.  I have two jig sleds;  one for cutting style grooves and the other for cutting copes in the rails.  The jig is designed to slide in a groove, offering sliding movement accurately parallel to shaper cutter.Bessey Auto Adjust Toggle Clamp

Why Auto Adjust Clamps?

Auto adjusting clamps hold  your work secure with even, clamping pressure.   I consider them my third hand as they keep my hands free and safe from cutter blades.  The beauty is once you set them you can open and close them over and over.

The Bessey Auto Adjust Toggle Clamp features an oil-resistant two-component plastic grip, an anti-slide device and lever stop, a rotating pressure plate with removable protective cap, and a base plate hole pattern with lots of mounting options.

The best part of these clamps is that they automatically adjust to work piece dimensions while maintaining constant clamping force and, easily adjust that clamping force with a thumb screw, when open or a screw driver when closed.  This adjustment screw sets the clamping force anywhere from 25 to 550 lbs, depending on clamping application.

These clamps allow you to work faster with a wide range of clamping thickness ranges.  In addition to allowing me to clamp items faster, they also have a lower profile than my older bulkier clamps.  [See comparison photo in below photo gallery.]

Bessey Auto Adjust Toggle Clamp

Other Uses For Bessey auto Adjust Toggle Clamps

There are a ton of uses for these clamps from tenon jigs on a table saw, to bench mounted, and drill press mounted clamps.   Bessey offers several different configurations in these clamps to give you the creativity and flexibility to solve workshop clamping and jig making issues.

STC-HH50 2″ Horizontal Toggle Clamp

  • Maximum Opening – 2″
  • Clamping Force 25-550 lbs.
  • Holding Capacity 700 lbs.
  • Clamping Pad Diameter 7/8″
  • Base Plate – 2-1/2″ long x 2-1/4″ wide

STC-HH70 2-3/4″ Horizontal Toggle Clamp

  • Maximum Opening 2-3/4″
  • Clamping Force 25-550 lbs.
  • Holding Capacity 700 lbs.
  • Clamping Pad Diameter 7/8″
  • Base Plate – 2-1/2″ long x 2-1/4″ wide

STC-IHH25 1″ Inline Toggle Clamp

  • Maximum Opening – 1″
  • Clamping Force 25-550 lbs.
  • Holding Capacity 700 lbs.
  • Clamping Pad Diameter 7/8″
  • Base Plate – 2-1/2″ long x 2-1/4″ wide
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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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