8 Clamps to Help You Handle Any Project

Clamps can be very helpful (even essential) in performing certain tasks. But which clamp - among the various hand-screw, bar, spring, band, tube and C-clamps - is right for the project at hand? Here are 8 commonly used clamps and what they do when put to use.

Pipe Clamps
A pipe clamp is commonly used in cabinet or furniture construction to glue the edges of wood together. It can be made to any size by simply changing the length of the tube between the fittings. The pressure exerted by a pipe clamp can damage the wood, so it is best to protect the clamped wood with blocks of wood, cardboard or felt.

C-clamps
The C-clamp is one of the most widely used and versatile clamps and is generally made of steel or cast iron. It is available in various sizes and is operated by turning a threaded rod that closes the "C" when tightened, serving to hold the workpiece in place. C-clamps can easily be over-tightened, so care should be taken not to damage softer wood - clamp the workpiece between blocks of wood or pad it with cardboard or felt.

Spring clamps
Spring clamps work much like clothespins, but with more force and stability. They come in many sizes and are graded according to the width of the opening. They are useful in many applications, not only in the woodworking shop, but throughout the house as well. Because they are the least expensive type of clamp and are usually sold in sets, they are cost effective.



Hand screw clamps
A hand-screw clamp consists of two hardwood pliers and two handles with long threads. The great thing about this clamp is that it can be adjusted for all sorts of odd shapes and angles. It distributes pressure evenly over the hardwood jaws so it is less likely to damage or break the wood it clamps.

Ratcheting Bar Clamps
The bar clamp is similar in construction to a pipe clamp, but it is equipped with a ratcheting handle. Just like a Ratchet, the jaws can be pulled together slowly, so they can be operated with one hand. The handle also has a quick release mechanism that makes removal of the clamp easy.

Ratchet Band Clamps
Band clamps are an excellent choice for situations where multiple surfaces, especially those that are not parallel, need to be clamped together or where clamping pressure needs to come from multiple directions. Special band clamps, through which corner blocks can be penetrated, can be used to clamp diagonally joined frames or boxes. Band clamps are also well suited for round workpieces.

Toggle clamps
Toggle clamps can be attached to a work surface or fixture to keep the workpiece stationary while it is being machined. Toggle clamps come in a variety of sizes and different types - push, pull and right angle - all tailored to specific situations. By pushing the handle down, an adjustment screw is pressed against the workpiece to keep it stationary.

Corner Clamps
Corner clamps can help you make corners or T-joints by holding your workpiece in place while you work. The smaller sizes are used for work like picture frames and the larger sizes are used for things like bookshelves. They don't apply force, so they don't actually push the two pieces of wood against each other. Instead, they frame and hold your pieces of wood in place so you can glue and screw them together.

A Guide On Different Masonry Trowel Types

The trowel is a common tool in masonry work. There are different masonry trowel types, and it can be used for various purposes such as leveling, shaping and laying concrete. It is arguably the most important tool in bricklaying.
The masonry trowel is manufactured from materials such as stainless steel and carbon steel. It is available in different shapes, sizes and types.
There are two most popular masonry trowel types -brick trowel and pointing trowel. In this article, we will focus on these two types of masonry trowels, introducing their characteristics and uses. We hope it will be helpful to you.



1. Brick Trowel
When you lay bricks, you want to have the proper tools to do the job. A brick trowel should be one of the first tools that you purchase. It is probably the most important tool in the entire brick laying process and is equally essential.
If you know anything about bricklaying, then you should understand that the job involves setting the bricks and laying the mortar. A brick trowel is designed for this purpose. It is the tool you use to smooth things out and will work throughout your job to help you get the perfect result.
Having a brick trowel will make laying bricks as easy as possible. You can use the blade of the trowel to help you position the bricks and smooth out the material. Using this tool, you will be able to pick up a sufficient amount of mortar and always be able to put it where it needs to be.
The blade of the brick trowel is made of steel and is strong and durable. If you take proper care of the brick trowel, it will stand up to years of use. It is no wonder that brick trowels are one of the primary and most popular masonry trowel types.

2. Pointing Trowel
The pointing trowel will be another type of masonry trowel that you will use when doing bricklaying work. It is used to perform specific tasks. For example, when you need to add a finish to your brickwork, a pointing trowel is the most suitable choice. The design of this tool makes it ideal for getting close to the brickwork and adding the finish properly.
The pointing trowel can also be used to level things and spread mortar where it is needed. However, it is more commonly used for precise shaping work. Masons usually use a larger brick trowel to do most of the work, then switch to a pointing trowel to finish up and shape the bricks accurately. This way, masons can complete the project correctly.

Sorting out the different masonry trowel types is not an easy task, and you may confuse a pointing trowel with a brick trowel. Remember, the two tools look similar, but the pointing trowel is smaller. It is also designed to fill small cavities that a brick trowel can't get into. It can easily get into tight corners of the brick base.

With these tips, you are now able to procure the right trowel for your masonry project. SINOTOOLS offers quality masonry trowels to meet your various needs. If you want to buy masonry tools, choose us and you'll get the best value for your money.

Splitting Axe Vs Splitting Maul

If you need to create your own firewood, you need to use a splitting tool to do this. Splitting wood is more effective than chopping as it leads to less waste. When looking at splitting wood in its simplest form, it comes down to a splitting axe vs a splitting maul. But in order to determine which one is better suited to your lifestyle and environment, you need to consider what each is and what the differences are.

What Is A Splitting Axe?
A splitting axe is a cutting tool that has a tapered head commonly made of metal and will weight approximately 3 to 6 pounds. A splitting axe has been designed to split wood along the grain to break apart the fibres. This is different from the traditional axe which was designed to chop wood across the grains. When using a top-quality splitting axe, the force created by the head will split the wood for you.

What Is A Splitting Maul?
When looking at a splitting maul, you might mistake it for a splitting axe as they are similar. The splitting maul also has a metal head, but it weighs more at 6 to 8 pounds. The head of the maul will be wedge-shaped and wider than the head of the splitting axe which makes it better at splitting wood. The shape of the head will ensure that the splitting maul does not stick in the wood when it is splitting it and will prevent any jamming.
Splitting mauls have a lot more engineering put into them making more efficient at splitting wood. This is one of the reasons that splitting mauls are so highly recommended and one of the first options people consider now when they want to split wood.

Axe Versus Splitting Maul Pros And Cons
When looking at the splitting axe and the splitting maul, you need to know what the differences are. There are 3 differences that you need to take into account when you choose between these tools. These are as follows:
1.Weight – Weight of the tool and head make a big difference when you’re splitting wood and can make the biggest difference in which one is right for you. Heavier the head the easier it is to split but the more fatigue you will get when using it.
2.Design – Without a doubt, the head of these two types of equipment is the biggest difference and where the biggest pros and cons are in my opinion.
3.Handle – There is a lot of different variations in the handles of mauls and axes that mainly affect the grip you have on the tool itself, which can affect comfort and how long you will be splitting for.

For most people, the choice between the splitting axe vs splitting maul comes down to personal preferences. The greatest determinants will be the amount of work you have at hand and the size of the wood you are working with. When working with large pieces of wood, a maul would be better than an axe. This is due to the fact that you will be able to split quicker, but you have to consider that you will tire faster because of the weight of the splitting maul.
If you have smaller pieces of wood, a splitting axe will generally be the better solution. The splitting axe is also a better choice for people who are smaller and not able to lift the heavier weight of the splitting maul.
The bottom line is the larger the workload, opt for the maul. Lighter day to day tasks to keep the firewood turning over, stick with the axe.