{"id":38201,"date":"2018-06-28T12:00:25","date_gmt":"2018-06-28T16:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.protoolreviews.com\/?p=38201"},"modified":"2022-08-12T22:57:40","modified_gmt":"2022-08-13T02:57:40","slug":"kreg-tool-90-degree-corner-clamps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.protoolreviews.com\/kreg-tool-90-degree-corner-clamps\/","title":{"rendered":"Kreg Tool 90-Degree Corner Clamps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether it’s the pocket hole jig<\/a>, the bench clamps<\/a>, or the Rip-Cut<\/a>, Kreg products have made woodworking projects remarkably better in terms of ease, aesthetic, strength, and accuracy. Today, I have a couple devices that I hope will follow suit: the Kreg Tool 90-Degree Corner Clamps. While I can contain my bias long enough to find the pros and cons, these clamps have started out on the right foot with the promise of instant<\/em> clamping. Most 90\u00b0 clamps take a little bit of time to tighten down onto both pieces. How long are we talking? Maybe eight seconds depending on the design?<\/p>\n

Well, that doesn’t sound like a whole lot of time when I write it, but trust me, it feels like a long time when you have to do it. Let’s see if Kreg has a better solution.<\/p>\n

Key Features<\/h2>\n

Automaxx<\/h3>\n

The Kreg Tool 90 Degree Corner Clamps include my favorite feature from the bench clamps that I liked so much – their Automaxx Technology. This proprietary system allows the clamp to automatically adjust to any material thickness in its capacity. Although there is a thumb wheel that allows you to modulate the pressure, there’s not a lot of monkeying around.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Pocket-hole Cutout<\/h3>\n

It’s no surprise that Kreg made these new clamps to integrate with the pocket-hole system it has championed for so long. To that end, there’s a small cutout in both sides of the clamps outer “V” to allow a fastener to pass through on its way to pocket-hole town. It’s really pretty slick – an example of Kreg’s think-of-everything designs. But there’s room to fasten your work with nails if you prefer that.<\/p>\n

Performance<\/h2>\n

Put That In Your Back Pocket-Hole<\/h3>\n

It’s hard to understate the utility of pocket-hole joinery, and Kreg acts as your Sensei in the proverbial pocket-hole dojo. It’s easy to accomplish and results in a very strong joint. All you have to do is abut the two pieces and drive the screw. Ah, but therein lies the challenge, especially if you’re particularly concerned with accuracy.<\/p>\n

By virtue of the screws’ angled approach, it draws the pocket-holed piece further up<\/em> the other piece in the direction of the screw. You’ll avoid this by clamping properly – the two pieces will cinch up tightly and end up where you want them.<\/p>\n

\"Kreg<\/a><\/p>\n

To use the Kreg Tool 90-Degree Corner Clamps effectively, all you have to do is set the two pieces on their sides at a 90\u00b0 angle. You’ll put one of the clamps at the intersection with the cast aluminum “V” on the outside, and the wedge on the inside. One quick squeeze and the Automaxx technology works its magic. Voila, you have a 90\u00b0 corner.<\/p>\n

\"Kreg<\/a><\/p>\n

But, perhaps you have a bit of gap between your pieces. I find that gently<\/em> tapping the ends of the pieces with a mallet brings them into alignment. You must be sure that the pieces fit snugly in the aluminum “V”.<\/p>\n

Hang In There<\/h3>\n

After you clamp the first two pieces, the job becomes easier. However, there’s enough of an awkward dance with those first two pieces to cause even some of the diehard faithful to gripe about the Kreg Tool 90-Degree Corner Clamps. In full disclosure – I even found myself in that camp at first.<\/p>\n

\"Kreg<\/a><\/p>\n

After using the clamps for a few days, I came around for two reasons. First, this maneuver can be a challenge with any<\/em> 90\u00b0 clamp. You feel like you need one or two extra hands no matter what.<\/p>\n

Secondly, there’s a simple and repeatable method for those first two pieces. Here’s how it works:<\/p>\n