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When it comes to woodworking, it can be frustrating to hold two pieces of wood together at a 90-degree angle to join them. It’s a process that could benefit from an extra set of hands. A corner clamp, or right-angle clamp, is a better option for these projects.
A right-angle clamp consists of an L-shaped arbor that pushes against an L-shaped frame via a handle that attaches to a spindle. The vise holds two pieces of wood at a 90-degree angle with the ends perfectly aligned, which frees your hands to join the two pieces together either with glue or fasteners.
This guide will review the top picks for some of the best right angle clamps for DIY projects.
- BEST OVERALL: Housolution Right Angle Clamp
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Casimr 90-Degree Corner Clamp
- BEST LIGHT DUTY: Sedy 90-Degree Right Angle Clamp
- BEST MEDIUM DUTY: Weichuan Aluminum Alloy Right Angle Clamp
- BEST HEAVY DUTY: Tacklife Right Angle Clamp
- BEST DUAL-HANDLE CLAMP: Wolfcraft Quick-Jaw Right Angle Clamp
- BEST MULTI-ANGLE: Naye Multi-Angle Pro Corner Clamps
How We Chose the Best Right Angle Clamp
We researched the most sought-after right angle clamps in their respective categories and discovered that the best models are determined by their materials, capacity, ease of use, and other special features included by top brands.
After extensive product research, we included options in our list of top picks that were made with materials that could withstand light- to heavy-duty clamping pressure,including aluminum alloy, steel, carbon steel, and ABS plastic. We also included a range of options that could accommodate various thicknesses, with some options being able to hold materials of up to 2.75 inches wide.
Many of the options we included on this list were also simple to use with the help of comfortable rubber grips on the handles, one-handed operation, and adjustable screws and interchangeable heads.
Our Top Picks
A right angle clamp will make an excellent addition to a workshop. They are built with durable materials and innovative designs that simplify the process of joining wood and other materials at right angles. Below are some of the top options on the market today, each organized by category and including a list of thoroughly vetted pros and cons.
Best Overall
Housolution Right Angle Clamp
Product Specs
- Material: Aluminum alloy and rubber
- Range: Up to 2.68 inches
- Ease of use: Easy
Pros
- Large jaw size is capable of holding a wide range of thicknesses; maximum of 2.68 inches
- Lightweight and durable aluminum-alloy construction is suitable for light- to heavy-duty use
- Comfortable rubberized handle is easy to hold for adjusting the tightness of the clamp
- 2 predrilled holes allow the clamp to be affixed to a workbench if desired
Cons
- Some users have reported that tightening the clamps too much can cause malfunction
With its sturdy and simple-to-use design, this right angle clamp from Housolution is a winner for woodworkers. Simply hold the material in place with one hand with its one-handle setup and tighten the knob to lock the workpiece securely in place with the clamp’s 3.74-inch wide and 1.4-inch deep jaw. This right-angle clamp is capable of clamping wood, metal tubes, and even glass with a maximum jaw opening of 2.68 inches.
An easy-to-grip rubberized handle allows users to operate the clamp with ease while a durable die-cast aluminum-alloy body ensures this clamp will tightly grip both pieces without warping or cracking. Two holes allow users to affix this clamp to a workbench.
Get the Housolution right angle clamp at Amazon.
Best Bang For The Buck
Casimr 90-Degree Corner Clamp
Product Specs
- Material: ABS plastic and steel
- Range: 0.1875 to 0.75 inch
- Ease of use: Easy
Pros
- Comes with 4 clamps for multiple or large projects; each offers 1-handed use
- Made with durable ABS plastic and steel for building furniture, mailboxes, cabinets, and more
- Accommodates a wide range of boards between 0.1875 and 0.75 inch
Cons
- Not as durable as comparable options on the market; should not be used for heavy-duty projects
For those who want to do their light woodworking tasks on a budget, the Casimr clamps may be just the ticket. This pack of four clamps is made to fit boards of 0.1875 inch to 0.75 inch and has a high spring tension for keeping boards and other materials in place. It is also built for one-handed operation, which comes in handy for woodworkers with busy hands.
The manufacturer ensures that these clamps can withstand frequent use, so they’re made with tough ABS plastic and strong steel. The only downside to this top pick is that it is not as strong as some other options on this list and should not be used for heavy-duty woodworking projects.
Get the Casimr right angle clamp at Amazon.
Best Light Duty
Sedy 90-Degree Right Angle Clamp
Product Specs
- Material: Aluminum alloy and rubber
- Range: Up to 2.6 inches
- Ease of use: Easy
Pros
- Aluminum-alloy construction prevents warping and cracking while in use
- The rubberized grip on the handle allows for easy tightening and adjusting
- Screw can be adjusted to accommodate pieces of different sizes
- Predrilled holes on the unit; can be mounted to a workbench if desired
Cons
- May not be as durable as some comparable options on the market
Light-duty projects such as picture frames and crafting projects don’t demand a heavy-duty clamp with aluminum alloy and large jaws. For smaller projects, this right-angle clamp will get the job done. Its construction prevents warping or cracking, while a rubberized grip makes tightening the clamp a breeze. With a clamping range of 2.6 inches, this clamp offers plenty of clearance for most projects.
The clamping screw also pivots to allow for joining materials of different thicknesses. Holes on the clamp base permit mounting the clamp to a workbench. This is a great crafting option that even includes a childproof handle to prevent little fingers from being clamped.
Get the Sedy right angle clamp at Amazon.
Best Medium Duty
WEICHUAN Woodworking 90 Degree Corner Clamp
Product Specs
- Material: Steel, aluminum alloy, and rubber
- Range: Up to 2.8 inches
- Ease of use: Easy
Pros
- Durable construction can take on larger jobs; accommodates material up to 2.8 inches thick
- Large handle with a rubber-coated grip for easy tightening and adjustment
- Moveable jaws can hold different-size pieces together
- Predrilled holes allow the unit to be mounted on a workbench if desired
Cons
- May not provide as much accuracy as some users would prefer
For bigger jobs, shoppers need a clamp that will hold up to the weight of larger pieces of wood and metal. With its larger capacity and durable quality, this right-angle clamp can manage larger projects. Its jaws open wide to handle materials up to 2.8 inches wide. It’s also strong enough to withstand tough jobs with its rustproof steel arbor and aluminum body construction.
This makes it a viable option for furniture making and even welding. This clamp is also easy to operate thanks to a large handle and rubber-coated grip. Other features include moveable jaws for clamping different-size pieces together and holes for mounting the clamp to a workbench.
Get the Weichuan right angle clamp at Amazon.
Best Heavy Duty
Tacklife Right Angle Clamp
Product Specs
- Material: Aluminum alloy, carbon steel, and rubber
- Range: Up to 2.75 inches
- Ease of use: Easy
Pros
- Made with high-quality aluminum alloy and carbon steel; can take on high amounts of pressure
- Thick rubberized handle is easy to use when tightening and adjusting the clamp
- High capacity of up to 2.75 inches; suitable for building furniture, cabinets, and welding
Cons
- May cause damage on some materials if clamped too tightly
Durable construction and a large capacity make this right-angle corner clamp from Tacklife an excellent option for serious woodworkers. It’s made of aluminum alloy with a tough carbon steel arbor and a ribbed design that gives it a high load capacity.
It won’t warp or crack under the pressure of heftier materials. It offers a maximum clamping range of 2.75 inches (70 millimeters), giving it plenty of capacity for bigger projects. A thick rubberized handle provides something substantial to turn while a heat-treated threaded rod and steel rotating nut ensure the clamp will hold up to a lot of pressure. This is an excellent clamp for heavy-duty projects such as cabinet making, welding, and glasswork.
Get the Tacklife right angle clamp at Walmart.
Best Dual-Handle Clamp
Wolfcraft Quick-Jaw Right Angle Clamp
Product Specs
- Material: Aluminum
- Range: Up to 2.5 inches
- Ease of use: Moderate
Pros
- Can hold items of 3 inches deep and 2.5 inches wide; suitable for furniture, cabinetry, and crafts
- V-groove design can hold both straight and round items for excellent versatility
- Dual-handled design can accommodate pieces of material that differ in width; completely customizable
- Ergonomic handles and quick-release button allow for ample ease of use
Cons
- Some users have reported limited durability during heavy-duty use
- Construction may be tricky for first timers to master
The right angle clamp from Wolfcraft can take on the simple and complicated tasks thrown its way. This lightweight aluminum clamp has a 3-inch clamp face with a V-groove design for clamping straight materials and round objects, plus it accommodates materials as thick as 2.5 inches.
Since the clamps can be individually set, this clamp accommodates materials of differing sizes, making it perfect for furniture building, cabinetry, picture frames, and crafting. For added user-friendliness, this Wolfcraft clamp is made with ergonomic handles to prevent strain on the user and includes a quick-release button for adjusting the clamp’s position.
Get the Wolfcraft right angle clamp at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Multi-Angle
Naye Multi-Angle Pro Corner Clamps
Product Specs
- Material: Plastic and metal
- Range: 0.125 inches to 1.25 inches
- Ease of use: Easy
Pros
- Includes 4 clamps, 12 interchangeable heads, and 8 rubber caps for adjusting the angle
- Accommodates a wide range of material thicknesses from 0.125 and 1.25 inches thick
- Can be placed in position with 1 hand; useful for holding materials while placing the clamp
Cons
- Plastic construction may not be suitable for heavy-duty applications
While right angle clamps are ideal for most jobs, some projects may require more versatility. For those occasions, rely on the Naye multi-angle corner clamps. These four multi-position clamps accommodate 60-, 90-, and 120-degree angles with the help of the interchangeable heads and eight rubber caps. When the right attachments are in place for the given material’s thickness, squeeze the spring mechanism and clamp the unit where it is needed on materials of 0.125 to 1.25 inches thick. For added user-friendliness, these clamps can be used with one hand when building cabinetry, furniture, and picture frames.
Get the Naye right angle clamp at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Right Angle Clamp
Joining wood, metal, or any other material at a right angle can be a clumsy process. A right-angle clamp can make the entire ordeal easier, but only if you buy the right one. To determine which right-angle clamp is best for your workshop, it’s prudent to consider factors like durability, accuracy, and clamping range.
Material
A right angle clamp’s construction is the key to its performance. Lightweight clamps are made out of thinner aluminum or even plastic, meaning they’ll work well for light-duty jobs, such as picture frame building, but they won’t hold up to clamping together heavier materials for projects like cabinet building or metal welding. For heavy-duty tasks, look for clamps with reinforced aluminum bodies and steel spindles and arbors.
Accuracy
Accuracy and material type go hand in hand. Durable aluminum alloy and steel clamps won’t warp or bend under pressure, which allows for a perfect 90-degree angle. Single-handle clamps also offer a high degree of accuracy, as they enable users to clamp both pieces simultaneously via a single handle once aligned.
Clamping Range
A right-angle clamp isn’t suitable if it can’t hold the materials you want to clamp together. Make sure to check how wide the clamp’s jaws can open to determine if it offers a wide enough range to hold the materials you need to join. Most clamps can hold materials up to 60 millimeters (2.36 inches) to 70 millimeters (2.75 inches) wide. All clamps on our list can join materials of two different widths.
Capacity
The clamp’s capacity incorporates both its range, described above, and the jaw’s width and depth. Most clamps have a jaw width between 3.5 and 4 inches and a jaw depth between 1 and 1.5 inches. A clamp with a wide and deep jaw has more surface area to clamp the materials being joined.
The greater the jaw’s width, the more stable the clamp can be holding longer and heavier materials in place. While a smaller angle clamp may suffice for a picture frame project, an angle clamp with a longer jaw is necessary for projects involving larger pieces, such as cabinetmaking.
Spindle
The spindle is the long nut attached to the handle that threads through the arbor and into a bolt. The handle turns the spindle, which tightens the clamp. Given that it’s responsible for holding the material in place, it’s the critical component in a right-angle clamp. Most spindles are made out of aluminum. Heavy-duty clamps feature heat-treated spindles with steel nuts, which are harder and thus more durable than standard steel. Heat-treated spindles are less likely to bend or strip under the pressure of clamping larger materials.
Handle
Given how tricky the process is to align two pieces of wood, metal, or glass into the clamp, the handle is an integral part of a right angle clamp. In most cases, users will want to operate the handle with one hand while using the other to steady the two pieces they’re clamping together. For ease of use, most right angle clamps work with a single handle that clamps both parts simultaneously. The handle should be large enough to tighten easily with one hand.
Padding
Getting a good grip on the handle as you’re holding everything in place is crucial. With that in mind, most handles feature padded nonslip grips that are easy to hold while tightening the clamp.
Setup
It used to be that right-angle clamps featured multiple handles and jaws that required more aligning and turning. Innovations in right-angle clamps make setup much more manageable nowadays. Clamps designed with single handles operate one L-shaped jaw that can clamp both pieces at the same time. These clamps can also pivot on the spindle to accommodate pieces with two different widths. And if that doesn’t offer enough ease, most angle clamps feature holes in the base that allow them to be mounted to a workbench to add more stability for setup.
FAQs
If you need a bit more guidance before choosing one of the best right angle clamps, read on for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
Place the clamp face up on a flat surface, making sure there’s enough space for the two pieces you plan to join and that the clamp’s jaws are open. Slide the first piece into the clamp, lining the end up with the corner of the clamp’s arbor. Slide in the second piece until it meets with the first piece. Align the two parts until the ends are flush to each other with no overhanging edges. Hold the pieces in place with one hand while tightening the clamp with the other. Tighten by turning the handle clockwise until firm. Avoid over-tightening, which may damage the material.
Irregularly shaped materials will not fit flush to the clamp’s flat jaws, preventing it from adequately holding the piece. To fix this problem, you’ll want to create a brace out of scrap wood that fits between the clamp jaws and the material. The brace, which can be a single piece or multiple pieces, includes a flat side that fits flush to the jaws and an irregular side that fits flush to the piece. The brace allows the clamp to grip firmly by filling the gaps between the jaws and the irregularly shaped piece.
There are a couple of ways to do this. One method is to use a miter saw to create a miter joint. Cut each end to be joined at a 45-degree angle using a miter saw. Apply glue to the ends of the pieces. Using the right angle clamp, clamp the pieces so the mitered ends butt together, creating a mitered joint. Allow the glue to dry, then use nails or screws to reinforce the joint. If using screws, drill a pilot hole for each screw to prevent the wood from splitting.
You can also join the two pieces using a basic butt joint. Simply place the end of one board against the side of the end of the other in the angle vice, making sure the ends are flush. As with a miter cut, use glue to join and reinforce with nails or screws once dry.
