The new 70411 Parallel Clamp Set from Jet comes with two 40-in. clamps, two 24-in. clamps, four Cross Doc Framing Blocks (click to view), and four benchdogs. At first I worried that the set was filled with throwaway items, but I soon discovered the system is hard to beat for gluing up small carcases, drawers, or cabinet doors.

On each clamp, the large handle is easy to grip, and the trigger-release clamp head slides smoothly. The clamp bars are marked out in inch increments. This struck me as unnecessary at first, but I used it often. For gluing up a 20-in.-wide panel, for instance, you can preset the clamp heads 20-1/2 in. apart before sliding them onto the assembly. A movable rail stand/end stop can be adjusted to steady the clamp parallel to a surface. (click to view)

The benchdogs can be screwed to the framing blocks to help keep an assembly square on a table or bench. They also can be attached to the fixed jaw to keep the clamps from tipping or shifting. And the clamp head can be removed and flipped around to convert the clamp to a spreader.

With their 4-1/8-in. throat depth, 1,000 lb. of clamping pressure, minimal deflection, and smooth action, these are the best parallel-jaw clamps I’ve tried. The set sells for about $160; www.jettools.com.

Photo: Kelly J. Dunton

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