For safety’s sake, when routing or sanding, it’s important to keep the workpiece clamped securely to the workbench. But clamps often get in the way of such work. When they do, you have to spend extra time repositioning them as you rout or sand your way around the workpiece. Now there’s a gadget from Australia that lets you work clamp-free, and the clamping process is almost instantaneous.

The product, called the V-Clamp, uses your air compressor to create a vacuum. It comes in two models. The VC5 uses the vacuum feature to hold the V-Clamp to the workbench and the workpiece to the V-Clamp. The less-expensive VC4 mounts to the workbench with four screws, and the vacuum is used only to secure the workpiece to the V-Clamp.

Small parts accepted. Adding extra strips of seal material allows you to clamp parts that only partially cover the V-Clamp.

According to the manufacturer, both models generate about 330 lb. of holding force, or about 12-1/2 lb. per square inch. Once set up, you just place the workpiece on the clamp and press down lightly to get a seal. When you want to remove the workpiece, just shut off the compressor. To make it more convenient to turn the vacuum on and off, V-clamp sells a lever-valve as an optional accessory.

The VC4 sells for $55; the VC5 for $65. More details can be found at www.vac-clamp.com.

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