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Most woodworkers end up with a mix of clamps: parallel clamps for square panel and cabinet glue-ups, quick one-handed clamps for holding parts while you work, and specialty clamps such as face clamps for pocket-hole joints. The six below cover each type, with capacities, throat depths and the clamping force each maker states.
Every specification on this page comes from the manufacturer’s own product page, checked on 26 October 2026. We have not used these products ourselves, so the picks are based on published specifications only.
For glue-up technique, read woodworking clamps and glue-ups, wood glue and adhesives and wood joinery basics.
How we chose these
- Capacity and throat depth published.
- Clamping force stated by the maker.
- Jaw protection (pads or caps) to avoid marking the wood.
- A spread of clamp types for a small shop.
Makers rate force differently: BESSEY calls its 1,700 lb parallel-clamp figure a nominal everyday clamping force, while WEN says “up to” 2,000 lb. Treat the numbers as each maker’s own rating, not a side-by-side measurement.
Comparison table
| Clamp | Type | Capacity | Throat | Clamping force (maker) | Spreads? | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEN CL862F | Face clamp | 6-1/4 in thick | 8 in | Up to 400 lb | No | Not listed |
| WEN CLR242 (2-pack) | Ratcheting bar clamp | 24 in | 2.3 in | Up to 150 lb per clamp | Yes, to 29.5 in | Not listed |
| BESSEY EHKL24 | Trigger clamp | 24 in | 3-1/8 in | 300 lb | Yes, 6-1/4 to 29-1/2 in | 1.90 lb |
| BESSEY EHKXL24 | Trigger clamp | 24 in | 3-5/8 in | 600 lb | Yes, 7-1/2 to 31-1/8 in | 3.45 lb |
| WEN CLP122 (2-pack) | Parallel jaw | 24 in | 4-1/8 in | Up to 2,000 lb per clamp | Yes (clamp and spreader set) | Not listed |
| BESSEY KRE3524 | Parallel jaw | 24 in | 3-3/4 in | 1,700 lb (nominal) | Yes, 10-1/2 to 28-3/4 in | 6.06 lb |
Weights are per clamp from BESSEY’s datasheets; WEN does not list clamp weights in these descriptions.
1. WEN CL862F 8-Inch Face Clamp: for pocket-hole joints
WEN designed this locking face clamp for pocket-screw joinery: it holds two boards flush while you drive the screws. It takes stock up to 6-1/4 inches thick with an 8-inch throat, has swiveling metal no-mar pads, a tension knob to set the jaw gap and a quick-release lever.
- WEN also sells 2 and 6 inch face clamps.
Pros: keeps pocket-hole joints flush; deep throat.
Cons: a specialty clamp, not for general glue-ups.
Check the WEN CL862F 8-Inch Face Clamp on Amazon
2. WEN CLR242 24-Inch Bar Clamps (two-pack): for light holding and spreading
These one-handed ratcheting clamps have a reinforced steel bar, nylon body, squeeze trigger, quick-release latch and non-marring pads. Reversing the jaw turns each into a spreader up to 29.5 inches.
- Each clamp measures 29.5 x 6.5 x 1 in (WEN).
Pros: two clamps in a pack; doubles as a spreader.
Cons: lowest force here; shallow 2.3 in throat.
Check the WEN CLR242 24-Inch Bar Clamps (two-pack) on Amazon
3. BESSEY Trigger Clamp EHKL24: for everyday one-handed clamping
BESSEY’s EHK trigger clamps convert from clamping to spreading without tools: push the release and move the fixed jaw to the other end of the rail. The L size gives 300 pounds of force with soft-touch, removable jaw pads and a steel bar.
- EHK range: from the 4-1/2 in EHKMICRO at 40 lb up to XL clamps at 600 lb (BESSEY).
Pros: one-handed; tool-free spreading; light at 1.90 lb.
Cons: far less force than the parallel clamps here.
Check the BESSEY Trigger Clamp EHKL24 on Amazon
4. BESSEY Trigger Clamp EHKXL24: for heavier one-handed work
The XL version doubles the L’s force to 600 pounds and deepens the throat to 3-5/8 inches, which BESSEY lists as the top of its EHK range. It keeps the pistol-grip trigger and tool-free switch to spreading.
- Also sold in 6, 12, 18, 36 and 50 in capacities (BESSEY).
Pros: most force of the one-handed clamps here; deeper throat.
Cons: heavier than the L size.
Check the BESSEY Trigger Clamp EHKXL24 on Amazon
5. WEN CLP122 24-Inch Parallel Jaw Clamps (two-pack): for panel and cabinet glue-ups
WEN’s parallel clamps have composite resin jaws that WEN says grip at exactly 90 degrees, with removable non-marring jaw covers and workpiece supports that keep glue off the jaws. A rail scale helps repeat settings, and WEN lists up to 2,000 pounds of force per clamp.
- Also sold in a 50 in version and as a kit with two 24 in clamps, two 50 in clamps and a framing kit (WEN).
Pros: two parallel clamps in a pack; deepest throat of the WEN clamps; rail scale.
Cons: WEN does not list weight.
Check the WEN CLP122 24-Inch Parallel Jaw Clamps (two-pack) on Amazon
6. BESSEY K Body REVOlution KRE3524: for precise cabinet glue-ups
BESSEY’s K Body REVOlution clamps keep their 90-degree jaws parallel for square glue-ups, with a 2-component handle that has a steel socket so you can add force with a hex key or driver (up to 17 Nm). Three removable pressure caps resist glue and solvents, and workpiece supports keep the work off the rail.
- Sizes from 12 to 82 in, all with a 3-3/4 in throat and the same 1,700 lb rating (BESSEY datasheet).
- Cold-drawn steel rail made in BESSEY’s own mills, per BESSEY.
Pros: wide size range; adjustable force with a driver; glue-resistant caps.
Cons: heaviest clamp here at 6.06 lb for the 24 in.
Check the BESSEY K Body REVOlution KRE3524 on Amazon
Which one fits you
| You are | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Building pocket-hole projects | WEN CL862F face clamp | Holds joints flush while screwing |
| Starting a clamp collection | WEN CLR242 or BESSEY EHKL24 | Light, one-handed, also spread |
| Gluing up tabletops and panels | WEN CLP122 or BESSEY KRE3524 | Parallel jaws keep panels flat and square |
| Doing heavier one-handed work | BESSEY EHKXL24 | 600 lb in a trigger clamp |
Practical tips
- Protect the wood with the clamp’s pads or caps, and keep glue off the jaws using the workpiece supports on parallel clamps.
- See our glue-up guide for glue-up technique.
Sources
Specifications from each manufacturer’s product page, checked 26 October 2026: WEN CL862F 8-Inch Face Clamp, WEN CLR242 24-Inch Bar Clamps (two-pack), BESSEY Trigger Clamp EHKL24, BESSEY Trigger Clamp EHKXL24, WEN CLP122 24-Inch Parallel Jaw Clamps (two-pack), BESSEY K Body REVOlution KRE3524. Makers can change specifications; check the product page before you buy.
