Hey everyone! I've been getting into woodworking for about three months now and have a bit of a humorous question. I've heard this saying that you can never have too many clamps, and it kind of resonates with the cycling jokes about having more bikes. Currently, I have around 75 clamps of different sizes and types, including some hefty 1.8 m pipe clamps. So, I'm curious—how many clamps is considered too many? Is 75 overkill, or is there no such thing as too many in a hobby like this? Just looking for some light-hearted insights!
3 Answers
I come from a luthiery background, and when I’m assembling things like mandolins, I use about 30 clamps—though they’re just modified clothespins with rubber bands! For the main body assembly, I throw in another 20 purpose-built clamps. It’s not about how many you have, but how effectively you use them!
When I built my workshop, I started with 8 pipe clamps (which included 4 that are 4ft and 4 that are 3ft). Honestly, that was enough for most of my garage projects. I found that if you’re a hobbyist, having more than about 12 clamps usually means they’ll just sit in a corner most of the time. It’s all about what you really need as you go along!
For me, the magic number is 28 clamps of different sizes and types. It always seems like just the right amount for my projects! Sometimes it’s all about having the right tool for the job, but you’ll get a feel for it with time.
That sounds like a solid number! I think having a variety helps too, depending on what you’re working on.