Bar Clamps — Lutherie Encyclopedia

Bar ClampsType: toolLong-reach clamps used for joining guitar top and back halves, gluing neck joints, and other wide-span operations.## Description Bar clamps consist of a steel bar or rail with a fixed head at one end and a sliding jaw that locks at any position along the bar. The sliding jaw has a screw mechanism for applying pressure. They are available in lengths from 150mm (6 inches) to over 1200mm (48 inches). For lutherie, medium sizes from 12 to 24 inches are most common. Quick-release or trigger-style bar clamps offer faster positioning with one-handed operation. ## Use in Lutherie Bar clamps are essential for joining bookmatched halves of guitar tops and backs. The two halves are edge-glued and clamped along their length with several bar clamps applying even cross-pressure. Bar clamps are also used for gluing neck-to-body joints when a bolt-on or dovetail joint needs sustained pressure, clamping side assemblies to molds, pressing soundboard reinforcement strips, and various assembly operations that require spanning the full width of the guitar body. ## Selection Guide For bookmatching, you need at least four to six bar clamps of 18 to 24 inches in length. Parallel-jaw clamps from Bessey or Jet distribute pressure more evenly than traditional bar clamps and are worth the extra cost. Aluminum bar clamps are lighter and resist glue bonding. Quick-trigger clamps are convenient but may not provide enough pressure for critical joints. Budget 10 to 40 dollars per clamp depending on size and type. ## Tips - Alternate clamps above and below the workpiece when edge-joining tops and backs to counteract bow…