$43.99
The WoodRiver® 4-Way Clamping System applies equal pressure from all four directions (top, bottom, and both sides). The ideal clamping system for gluing table tops, shelving, veneer, and laminates. This clamping system uses plastic pressure pads and two 19-1/2" tough plastic tail bars...
Items You May Need
Details
Features:
- Applies equal pressure on all four directions
- Variety of uses: table tops, shelving, veneers, laminates, and more.
- Clamps under 36" long: use one 2x4 ripped in half
- Clamps over 36" long: it is recommended that you attach the clamps to a full 2x4 on both sides
- Clamp capacity: 6" thick
- (2) Clamps
- (2) Short notched bars
- (2) Long notched bars
- (1) Set of screws
- (1) Complete instructions
- 2 x 4's (2 x 2's)
- Attach the clamps with the screws provided, set the jig and turn the handle to tighten (on large pieces, position every 12"- 18" for maximum clamping efficiency).
- Replacement "long" and "short" notched plastic clamping bars are available separately and may be used to make clamps in multiple sizes.
Instructions / MSDS
Articles & Blogs
Assembling the WoodRiver 4-Way Pressure Clamping System
The WoodRiver 4-Way Pressure Clamping System is ideal for gluing table tops, shelving, veneer, and laminates.
Reviews
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Awesome concept but needs a little help
I love these clamps, however they need some stronger parts. The cross member that applies the pressure bends when you tighten it. Would love to see this improvement.
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clumsy
I have had this clamp for a few years. It is clumsy (for me) to set up when you're gluing something small and heavy, like a thick cutting board. The parts slip apart while I'm trying to get the other end secured and I end up spending a lot more time trying to get this thing set up than I would just taking a couple of boards and a couple of F clamps and clamping both ends that way. For me it was a waste of money, for others, it may be wonderful. Once you get it set up on whatever you're clamping, it does work okay, it's just too hard to set up, in my opinion.
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Great clamp
I have been using them for years! First you need oak lumber for the beams. Don't use pine, your screws won't hold in a soft wood. Again like any clamping system you need to have plenty of clamps. Two people can handle a glue up just fine, line your board up evenly all the way and clamp them down. By the way put wax paper between the wood and clamp to avoid more clean up. Some people place the blocks for locking in the clamps in improper locations and need to move them if you can't utilize the full range of the clamp. Love them just bought two more.
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terrible product
I have had these sitting in their original shipping box for over a year due to I was so PO'ed over shipping cost. I am getting ready to make a table, following the directions and making sure you have a perfectly straight board and the dimensions they say to cut, you need a 3x3 oak board and in my case 4 of them, $$$. Once together I tried them out, first the boards must be over 3/4" thick, then for every 12" increment you need new boards, $$$$$$$$$. Do they clamp down as advertised? Oh NO. Bottom line buy a good Bessey and be done.
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Was not impressed.
It is fairly clumsy to use, the screw on the crank is not long enough to use the entire set of detentes, I regret buying them.
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LOVE THESE!!
Glue-ups were always nerve-wracking for me because there were so many clamps to place and tighten and pieces could move out of place and not lay perfectly flat, resulting in a lot of leveling out to do afterwards. This system, however, makes glue-ups easy! I've read reviews here about them being fiddly and tough to position but the key is to place small wood blocks in the ends of the spring-loaded metal pieces to keep the clamps open enough for you to simply slide the pieces in, one by one. Once the cutting board (for example) is in place, simply remove the blocks and tighten the clamps. Could not be easier. Whoever invented these is a genius! Thanks!
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Quick and easy but not perfect
This is quick and easy but you also need cauls for the sides. The small piece of flat metal that presses on the edge of the wood just bends back. But we all know how to make cauls, make 4 per clamp, two to attach the hardware to and two smaller ones to use on each side of the panel and each end of the clamp.
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Screws supplied
I just got these and attached to my wood pieces-has anyone else had trouble with the screws that were supplied? Every one of them stripped and now I am stuck with panel clamps that will only be good as long as I don't need to change out the wood. Very frustrating.
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Good Within Limits
This system works fairly well for joining thick boards- don't remember the minimum offhand, but it's somewhere in the 1/2" to 3/4" range (thus not much use,for example, for luthiery). As with any gluing setup, you have to consider squeeze out. I wax the 2x2s occasionally, and tape ovr wax paper over clamp bars where they pass under the joint, and have had no problems. It's fairly versatile as far as widths. The threads are pretty fine, but if properly set up you shouldn't have to turn them very far. Additional clamps may be needed, particularly at the ends, and you have to line up the boards carefuly; it may not squeeze out small warps etc.
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One of the Best Clamps I ever used
I bought these Clamps since November 2011; and I have been making full uses of them since. With Wider Boards, I would use other additional Clamps. The beauty and simplicity of this clamp is remarkable. The fact that it applies pressure to all four sides of your work piece makes it a product that I feel every wood worker should, at least, try. Setting up is very simple.
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Useful for specific application
This clamping system accommodates a useful range of width(s) of edge-glued boards by means of a series of notches into which the clamping hardware can be hooked. These Woodcraft/WoodRiver clamps are superior to a competitor's very similar product because these come with heavy-duty notched plastic "bars" to be fastened to customer-supplied plain two-by-twos. The competitor's product (for the same price) requires the customer to similarly supply the 2x2s, but also to create the notches in the 2x2s (by drilling). Several reviews here refer to issues with glue squeeze-out adhering the edge-glued boards to the 2x2s. I jointed one face of each 2x2 flat and smooth, sealed the face with one coat of polyurethane, sanded it to dull the gloss, and faced the sealed surface with .007" thick TapeCase 423-5 UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight) polyethylene self-adhesive tape. Glue does not stick to the tape. To enhance the capacity of the clamps, I also drilled extra sets of holes along overlength 2x2s (repeating the same pilot hole pitch) for mounting the notched bars at various points.
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Great Clamps - Work Great
I have had these for over a year now and use them to do both cutting boards and panel glue-ups. they work great for what I do! Mounted my hardware on 1 1/2"x1 1/2" poplar. I laminated 1/4" hardboard on the facing side, put on a couple coats of shellac, and always face the clamp with clear packing tape. The small spreader bars are not large enough to handle much force, but I always add a few extra clamps to help those out. These keep the individual pieces well lined up.
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Good gear
This was an easy tool to assemble. It does the job it advertised. This makes edge joining much easier in my shop. I bought two but may go back for at least another. Good value, too.
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Great tool
I have used it many time over several years, it's great. Only thing, use wax paper to protect the clamp where the glue squeezes out.
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WORKS PERFECTLY!
This one of the best clamping systems I've ever used. It does take a little time to set it up properly, but if it's set up properly it works perfectly. Take the time to study the instructions before you start and then do a DRY clamp up of some practice pieces before you get the glue out. This system will cause your work piece to be elevated about 3" above your table during the gluing and clamping stages, but once the clamps are set and tightened you can move it anywhere while the glue sets. Gotta work quickly to get all the pieces aligned before the glue sets. (I'm making 18" x 20" butcher block style cutting boards, and they each have 23 3/4" wide slats). I agree with those that say to use tape or something to protect the fixture (and frame boards) from the squeeze-out glue. I used Douglas Fir 2 x 2's and drilled pilot holes for the screws. A little Bee's Wax and Mineral Oil mixture on the screw threads makes them install easily. It WAS a little cumbersome to use the first time, but only the first time. Learn from your experience(s) on PRACTICE pieces first! This is a MUST or you're just going to waste a bunch of wood and rip your hair out with glue on your hands. This is a "Must Have" item for any wood shop.
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Very good
I'm à luthier and this product is professional.
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Produces flat table top
the plate that attaches to the screw is flimsy, but it does not affect the operation of the clamp. I bought 3 so I could edge glue long boards together
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Nice system
Definitely takes a bit of time to get use to, but I can set up the clamps pretty quickly now by my self. I haven't had problems getting straight 2x2s. Use the same methods you'd use to true up any other kind of board and you're there. One tip, use painters tape on the face of the clamp boards or squeeze-out will glue your project to the clamps.
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Nice for SOME things - not for others
..using this to clamp 3-6 6" wide boards that have glue joints. Works pretty well really, but does not replace bar clamps. These are great if you are gluing rows of but-jointed planks that are prone to buckle, but they tell you to use a 2x4 ripped in half for the runners - I would use a whole 2x4, as the resulting 2x2 still pulls up abit. Or perhaps reinforce the 2x2 with angle iron. Anyway useful little jig. Not the be-all end-all though, as I hoped it would be.
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Works Great
Read the reviews and purchased pieces of 2x2 hardwood to set these up. Just used them to glue up an oak table top and it came out great. Really glad I purchased these.
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Clever! Works like a charm.
Makes panel glue ups simple and quick with perfect results every time.
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Excellent Product
I built a LARGE hope chest for my daughter that required 6 long and wide panels. In the past the glued up panels never quite came out exactly flat. But with these clamps they were perfect. I bought them on the advice of a friend, and I am glad that I did. You will not be disappointed.
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happy so far
After reading the reviews I wasn't too sure I would be happy with this product, but had no trouble useing clamp
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shop favorite
This is hands down the best system for gluing up panels I have ever used. I don't write many reviews but this is a good tool and I was flummoxed by some of the mediocre reviews. I bought 2x2 pine to start for smaller panels at a couple bucks per 8' length and cut it to my specifications and ran it through a portable planer to ensure it was true and assembled the jig. The whole setup operation from opening the boxes to the first dry fit of boards I was to glue took less than 20 minutes and I was impressed with the clamping pressure and how it did not mar the surface of the boards even when I bore down on the cranks with all I had. The system is very well built. Took much less time than bar clamps, as I didn't have to fiddle around with shims to protect the edge. I also saved considerable time as I could go directly to a polishing plane and scraper as I did not have to remove much additional stock. It is helpful to have an efficient means of creating an edge that is flat and true, but if you're not there either with power or hand tools, I can't imagine how your joining boards to glue up in the first place. I will definitely be getting more as well as additional pads to have a full set of most commonly used lengths at hand.
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WoodRiver Clamping System
Recommend that you do not use 2 x 4s or pine. You are much better off using oak or maple. I recommend no matter what you use that you make sure that you make sure that that the final 2 x 2s are straight and flat. The initial assembly and project setup are critical to get expected results. The clamps will not compensate for material that is not the same thickness or severely warped material.
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Worked perfectly!!
I bought 3 sets hoping to help keeping boards from bowing when gluing up.....and turns out it was a smart purchase. These clamps require some prep work getting the wood boards square. I used 4x4 douglas fir posts and resawed them and joined/planed them square and true. Other reviewers commented on difficulty getting the boards square. This is one of those you get out of it what you put into. Take the time to prep the wood and you will reap the benefits of these clamps. The rest of the set up only took about 5 minutes to screw in all the pieces to the stock. I recommend dry fitting up boards for the first time you use them to get a feel for how to use them. It took me a minute but with a little practice I became a lot faster. I became a beleiver in this system as soon as I unclamped the first set of 3 boards I joined. I put a straight edge across 18 inches of stock and all I could do is laugh with amazement because the boards were dead on square. One little secret I did do was put clear tap across the boards to keep glue from sticking to the clamping boards. It worked like a dream.
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Too much time & effort to make it work.
Takes too long to set it up. Better use flat lumber with clamps. Difficult to use on two different thicknesses. Rather buy more clamps with this money.
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Great system
As some have mentioned, it's a little awkward at first, but after you get the hang of it, it's really not hard at all to use. I ordered 2 sets to glue up some stair treds and risers. Fantastic results. I'm about to start on some really wide and long pannels for another project so I just ordered 3 more sets. I use a lot of reclaimed wood that is sometimes a little bowed and needs to be clamped hard during glue-up. Bar clamps tend to pull the ends up and cause a bow. These clamps don't let that happen. I'm not throwing out my bar clamps, but for wide glue-ups, these clamps are hard to top.
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Clamps OK but whats the advantage?
These clamps ultimately do the job but it took hours to make the wood links. I used 2x4 stock as suggested. Getting them straight and flat was a job. Once cut the pine would bend on its own. The clamp would cause a bow in the middle of the links when tightned so I had to taper them. Setting them up to glue a panel takes some time but once set up they are simple to use but I don't understand what the advantage is over bar clamps? For all the work I got the same results.
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Fantastic!
I built some end-grain cutting boards with my dad that involved gluing a bunch of boards together into a flat panel, cutting the panel into a bunch of strips, and then gluing the strips together into a cutting board. We had a really hard time getting the pieces to line up and be flat so we bought some of these clamps (after the fact). They are awesome. I have been gluing up a bunch of small strips of wood into panels to use for furniture and these clamps have been a lifesaver. The hold everything securely and keep it flat. The only downside is that they are kind of awkward to use because there are so many pieces...but worth the hassle.
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EXcellent for Gluing Table Tops Together
I found it to make the ends and middle of the table top all even which saves a lot of sanding
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panel glue up
It helps keep glue up panels flat and does a good job of clamping
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review clamps
very good product, it does take some planning to work well
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Does the job
Perfect for the job but needs metal clamping bars not plastic.
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very difficult to use take to much time
great clamp just hard to set up,and take to much time.
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Just added two more to my collection
Really easy and great for practically all glue up jobs.
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A clamp that's a must have item.
It's somewhat cumbersome to set the clamps. But well worth the results. The results are much smoother table tops, etc. with much less sanding to achieve flat wide panels.
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Clamping system okay but not great
First of all, you must find four 2x2 boards that are very straight and that will stay straight. Clamp is also difficult for one person to assemble and positon. You really should have 2 people when using these clamps. The metal parts of the clamp are fairly well made and the clamp appears to work okay (but not perfect) once it is in place.
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woodriver-clamping system
do-it-yourself jobs. You do not need a ton of clamps. It is a little hard to get use to it, I think it will get easier the more I use it.
