5 Best Parallel Clamps for Woodworking [2024 Review]

Woodworkers use clamps quite often in projects that require gluing and binding. And, by far and away, the best choice is parallel clamps. There’s one practical reason that makes this hard to achieve though, which is how expensive they are!

Don’t settle for regular bar clamps – get the precision your wood project needs with a few pairs of parallel clamps.

Top Parallel Clamps Reviews

In the following reviews of the top parallel clamps in the market, I’ll give you a detailed assessment of how each one of the listed items performs. If you want to know what are the best parallel clamps, and how to choose the right set, read on!

Best Overall Parallel Clamps: BESSEY KRE3550 PAIR 50″ K Body REVO

In 2019, the BESSEY Group celebrated its 130th jubilee. This trailblazer started as a stainless steel drawing plant and developed its work over the years to become one of the giant tool makers in the whole world. 

The BESSEY KRE3550 REVO Parallel Bar Clamp is a powerful tool that most woodworkers truly appreciate. It’s quite dependable, versatile, accurate, and extremely easy to use. It’s a bit pricey though, which might put off a few craftsmen. So even though it has the same length as the Bora clamps, the difference in price is noticeable.

One of the great features of these clamps is the huge clamping power it offers. The previous model provided around 1500 lb of binding power. However, a substantial improvement in the casting succeeded in adding 200 lb more, amounting to a momentous 1700 lb clamping power.

Product Specs

• Clamping force: 1700 lb
• Length: 50 in
• Throat depth: 3 ¾ inch
• Accessories: A comprehensive set of accessories
• Spreading/Spacing option: Yes

Feature Highlights

• Made from alloy steel
• High clamping force reaching 1700 lb
• Spreading capacity of over 52 in
• 3 pressure caps
• 2 adjustable sliding workpiece supports
• Hex-key to add extra clamping force
• Glue and chemical resistant clamping surfaces 

This would be a huge help when working with hardwoods, big frames, or complicated projects. It’s also a lifesaver if you need to fix an old cabinet with warped or damaged parts.

Another noteworthy addition to the REVO model is the ergonomic two-component handle. This part has a steel socket that matches a hex key. Thus, whenever extra binding is needed, a hex driver can turn the clamp effortlessly and give the needed squeeze. The max torque is up to 17 Nm.

One of the problems that often face woodworkers as they adjust their clamps is that they don’t stay where they are. Several clamps have the annoying habit of sliding a bit forward or backward as you move them to bind the workpiece. This makes the adjustment process tedious, and occasionally, inaccuracies occur.

The BESSEY clamps avoid that inconvenience by providing a new mechanism in the head. This variation improves the adjustment of the clamp jaws significantly. You only need to slide the clamps to the right spot, then the head would stop skidding, and the jaws will stay right there.

Keeping the slide rail clean and free from glue stains is crucial to its proper functioning. BESSEY clamps make sure that the rails remain unaffected by using two workpiece supports. These parts do the double duty of keeping the workpiece away from the rails, and, maintaining it in a level position.

Three pressure caps are also added to further keep the workpiece in place. These parts are resistant to solvents, glue, and paint.

The BESSEY clamps are among the longest clamps available, and thanks to their extension accessory, they can reach more than 100 in lengths. This is an option that even the reputable JORGENSEN or JET don’t have.

Additionally, it comes with a broad range of accessories that extend its applications beyond the typical binding of medium-sized projects. For example, binding an A-form slanting frame is easy with a K-body adaptor. Again, this feature is unique to this brand.    

This tilting K-body adapter can actually work on 15-degree sloping surfaces. All the while, the clamping power is still applied fully to the frame. Only a very advanced clamp can achieve that.

You can also add a set of BESSEY’s framing KP blocks . These parts are typically placed in the four corners of a frame, and they help in applying even pressure on all parts simultaneously. This too is a feature rarely seen in any other brand.

Pros

• Suitable for binding large and small pieces. So you can work with massive pieces of cabinetry as well as small picture frames.
• Comes with a wide range of accessories. This allows for a wider range of possible binding positions. 
• Clamps in vertical and horizontal positions. It’s thus much easier to clamp composite pieces. 
• Clamps slanting surfaces. This is a rare feature in parallel clamps, which specialize in perpendicular structures. You can take on more nuanced projects with this option. 
• Turns into the spreader mode without tools. The quick and easy action saves plenty of time and effort as you move between the clamping and spreading functions. 

Cons

•  The ratchet mechanism can be a bit rough at times. This isn’t a consistent bug though.

Best Value Parallel Clamp: Bora 50″ Set, 2 Pack

The Bora 50 is a great purchase, as it gives the same length as the pricier BESSEY, but at a lower price. The 12 – 50 inch range is incredibly useful for most carpentry projects.

These clamps are also among the products that focus on jaw padding and width. With 3 ½ inches, you can apply the full clamping force on thick pieces. Thus, you can increase the efficiency and accuracy of the binding.

Product Specs

• Clamping force: 1100 lb
• Length: 50 in
• Throat depth: 3 ½ in
• Accessories: Limited number of accessories
• Spreading/Spacing option: Not available

Feature Highlights

• Versatile clamping from 12 in up to 50 in
• Padded jaws
• Large clamping area of 3 ½ in
• Passive lock on the lower jaw
• Easy grip mechanism    

This 3 ½-in jaw depth feature of the Bora exceeds the available width provided by most brands. The common figure revolves around 3 in. Two brands surpass that size though, as BESSEY has a 3 ¾ jaw depth, and JORGENSEN offers a 3 ⅞ depth!

The Bora clamps are quite stable, which is a big plus, especially while working with large projects. It comes with a bottom passive lock and a steady grip. These two features add significantly to the stability and precision of these clamps.

Pros

• The flexible clamping length gives a high value at an economic price.
• It has a wide clamping jaw, which stabilizes the workpiece and prevents denting it.
• The easy-grip mechanism facilitates working with the clamp and accurately adjusting it.
• Its deep throat allows you to clamp a larger side of the cabinet or frame

Cons

• The pads are sensitive to glue and chemicals 
• It’s hard to clean off the glue from the pads

Best Budget Parallel Bar Clamp: JORGENSEN 36″, 90° Cabinet Master Bar Clamp

The JORGENSEN Cabinet Master Parallel Jaw Bar Clamp is a real catch, as it offers the best features found in the pricier brands at a relatively affordable price point.

The clamp set I picked here is rated at 36 in, which is the mid-range of parallel clamps. However, if you need to go shorter or longer, there are options from 12 – 96 in.

Product Specs

• Clamping force: 1500 lb
• Length: 36 in
• Throat depth: 3 ⅞ in
• Accessories: No
• Spreading/Spacing option: Yes

Feature Highlights

• High clamping force of 1500 lb
• Adjustable clamping length up to 36 in
• Wide clamping jaws of almost 4 in
• Stable bar, grip, and clamping mechanism
• Clamping and spreading options 

This is among the widest ranges in the market. The 96 in Jorgensen clamps are only surpassed by the BESSEY clamps, and that is when two 50-in clamps are connected together via an accessory piece.   

You can use these clamps in vertical or horizontal positions. Additionally, you can remove the upper jaw, reverse its direction, and slide back on the bar. This way you can get a spreader clamp. This is similar to what the BESSEY clamps offer at a much higher price.

Finally, the material of the JORGENSEN clamps is another big plus. It’s made from reinforced steel, and the jaws are covered with plastic. This should make it sturdy, durable, and dependable. 

Pros

• These clamps are quite versatile with a bar length that can fit large and small projects
• The wide clamping area makes the bonding process more effective and precise, as the large pads distribute the clamping pressure evenly on the wooden piece
• It has both clamping and spreading functions, and the switch between both is a breeze 

Cons

• The screws used to tighten the clamps are a bit too small, so they need some effort to adjust to the right pressure
•  The material of the jaws needs to be tougher to accommodate large pieces

Best for Professionals: JET 70411 Parallel Clamp Framing Kit (24″ and 40″)

The JET 70411 Parallel Clamp Framing Kit is made for high precision and tackling complex projects. The kit comes with all the necessary components to bind a cabinet or wooden frame at perfect right angles.

The overall price of this kit might seem a bit high, especially when compared to budget buys, like the JORGENSEN. However, considering the multiple parts it has, then the value is justified. Additionally, it’s tailored for the usage of professional carpenters, thus, an investment in this kit would be wise.

Another noteworthy feature of these clamps is their ergonomic design. Professional craftsmen are constantly aligning clamps, adjusting the grips, and tightening screws. That’s why having clamps that make all these activities easier is always a plus.

Product Specs

• Clamping force: 1000 lb
• Length: 24-in pair plus 40-in pair 
• Throat depth: 4 ⅛ in
• Accessories: Bench dog set + framing kit
• Spreading/Spacing option: Yes

Feature Highlights

• Integrated kit consisting of two pairs of clamps
• Graded bar
• Dual spreading and clamping functions
• The ergonomic design of the handle and Acme thread screw  

The combination of the Sumo Grip handle and slide-glide trigger facilitates the movement of the jaws on the rail significantly. And once you reach the desired stop point, you can tighten the Acme-thread screws without much effort.

The JET clamps also have a unique feature that further enhances their performance and accuracy. The rails are graded as a precision ruler, which is almost exclusive to this brand, and I haven’t seen it even in the pricier BESSEY tools.

The rails are also equipped with a moveable rail stand which makes using the clamps far more convenient. Additionally, the jaws are reversible to allow the clamp to operate in dual clamp/spread modes.

The spreading capacity for these clamps is 31 in 47 in, which is more than sufficient to work with medium to large frames.  

Pros

• Varied bar lengths to fit most rectangular projects snugly
• Easy to manipulate into various positions
• The ergonomic grip and handle make working with it easy
• Precise placement of workpieces thanks to the gradation on the bar 

Cons

• The clamping pressure is insufficient for massive pieces
• The set is too heavy for small items

Best for Hobbyists: POWERTEC 71602 Woodworking Parallel Clamps 40-Inch

The POWERTEC 71602 Woodworking Parallel Clamps is easy to work with, durable, precise, and comes at a good price. This makes them a great option for hobbyists or beginners.

Several people compare the versatility and ease of operation the POWERTEC has with that of a BESSEY or Bora clamps. This holds true in many ways, starting from the adjustable long length of the bar, to the useful snap-on sliders on it.

Product Specs

• Clamping force: 880 lb
• Length:  40 in
• Throat depth: 3 ¾ in
• Accessories: end rail clips + 2 pairs of snap-on plastic protectors
• Spreading/Spacing option: Yes

Feature Highlights

• Made from durable cold steel
• Ergonomic handle
• Easily convertible between clamp and spreader
• High precision clamping  

It also reverses into a spreader quickly and has an ergonomic handle similar to that of the JET. However, it comes at an affordable price close to the JORGENSEN.

There’s one area where the POWERTEC clamps might be noticeably less than their peers on this list which is the clamping power. At 880 lb, it can certainly do the job well. But that hardly compares with the 1700 lb the BESSEY possesses.     

Pros

• The bar length is adjustable up to 40 in, which allows you to use it for binding large and small projects
• This is a durable set of clamps, so the investment is rewarded by longevity
• The reversible clamping/spreading action is quite quick and easy
• There are accessory guides that you can snap on the rails to provide extra support for your workpiece

Cons

• The clamping power might not be sufficient for some large projects 
• The bars can get rusty if kept in an excessively humid place

Parallel Clamps Features to Consider

The most important feature of parallel clamps is the broad pair of jaws that connect at exactly 90 degrees to the I-beam. This is critical for providing the correct support for frames, cabinetry, casing, and other workpieces that need perpendicular joining.

The next noteworthy factor is how much pressure the jaws of the parallel bar can exert on the wood. A higher value often comes in handy. Along with these considerations, there are a number of features that you should be aware of.

Assess the kinds of projects you generally work on. Go bigger if you specialize in large pieces of furniture. And vice versa, if you’re constantly doing intricate work on smaller wood projects, then a smaller clamp is better.

You’d also need a pair of clamps that are easy to work with, assemble, and adjust. A big part of that is the handle, both in terms of ergonomics and grip.

Here are a few more points to consider.  

Clamping Force

This is probably the first thing you’d ask about. The clamping force needs to be powerful enough to bind the woodwork without having to twist the clamp till you get blue in the face.

A weak clamping power will not do the job well. And in addition to that, it would probably cause the clamp jaws to bend. As a minimum, you should go with 1000 lb of clamping power.   

Length 

It might seem at first glance that the more the merrier when it comes to length. However, the clamp size needs to be proportional to the size of the piece of furniture or project you’re working on.

A small structure would probably come out all skewed or even fall apart if you try to use the extra-large clamps on it. The opposite is also true. If the clamps are too short, then squeezing the wood sheets in, wouldn’t get you the right binding force or accuracy.

Parallel clamps can be found in lengths from 10 inches to more than 50 inches. The 36-inch variety is quite versatile and seems to work well with a wide range of projects. 

Jaw Width and Depth 

This is the main characteristic that sets parallel clamps apart from the other types of clamps. The jaws are typically broader and the throat length is deeper. A 3 ¾ depth is the common gauge, and it’s more than sufficient to fit a sheet or frame comfortably.

The clamp jaws are often padded to make sure that they apply even pressure, without leaving indent marks on the wood. 

Available Accessories

BESSEY tools are the absolute pioneers in providing a wide assortment of accessories to enhance the performance of clamps.

Two of the most useful are the k-clamp adaptors, which support slanting frames as well as straight ones. And also the clamp extender pieces can transform a couple of 50-inch clamps into one 100-inch clamp.

Not all companies are that thoughtful though, so this is a point worth considering closely. 

Spreading/Spacing (Reverse Jaw Positioning)

Parallel clamps can be used to put a frame together, or they can be applied in a reverse manner to take a structure apart.

The spreading or spacing function works by simply reversing the direction of the clamp jaws. Some manufacturers, like BESSEY, provide this option without using any extra tools at all, and this is always a plus. 

Why Should You Consider Parallel Clamps?

Parallel clamps are heavy-duty powerful clamps used in gluing together sheets of wood, cabinet boxes, or frames.

The main benefit of these clamps is their precise placement of the wood at 90-degree angles. Additionally, the jaws are broad and padded so they don’t indent the wood the way other clamps would.   

Types of Parallel Clamps

Structurally, all parallel clamps are the same. The main difference between one type and the other is the material. You can have:

1. Plastic parallel clamps: These are cheap and practical, but not too precise. They aren’t too durable as well.
2. Aluminum parallel clamps: Their lightweight is their best feature, but they don’t always provide a high enough clamping power.  
3. Stainless steel parallel clamps: This is the golden standard for clamps, and it’s what most woodworkers go with. It has high durability, precision, and enormous clamping power. It’s also the most expensive of all three types. 

FAQs

Mainly, they stay parallel throughout the binding process. Whereas, other types of clamps bent or moved under loading. This distorted the workpieces and fixing them, later on, was never easy.

They’re best used for fastening projects like:

• Tables
• Frames
• Cabinet bases
• Cabinet doors
• Boxes
• Panels
• Doors
• A-form easels

Conclusion

There you have it! That was my detailed guide on how to buy the best parallel clamps. These 5 brands are by far the top of the crop, so you won’t go wrong with any one of them.

We do recommend the BESSEY clamps though, as they come with the largest set of accessories, and hence they’re the most versatile. 

Here’s a quick comparison table to sum up the reviews: