How to Choose the Right Cam Clamps for Your Workshop
By Infinity Cutting Tools | Premium Woodworking Tools ... | Published: 2026-10-19
Category: How-to Guides
Discover how to select cam clamps for your workbench, including key features, trade-offs, and when to choose cam clamps over other woodworking clamps.
Quick Answer
To choose the right cam clamps, focus on compatibility with your workbench's dog holes, the clamping range, and the pressure they can apply. For most woodworking tasks, a set that works with standard 3/4" dog holes offers the best versatility and unobstructed access to your workpiece.
Why Cam Clamps Differ from Traditional Woodworking Clamps
Cam clamps apply side clamping pressure through dog holes, which is different from the top-down pressure of bar clamps or pipe clamps. This side-action design leaves the face of your workpiece completely clear, making them ideal for marking, routing, or finishing tasks where you need full access.
Unlike quick release clamps that tighten with a trigger, cam clamps use a lever or cam action to lock the workpiece in place. This makes them faster to engage and release, especially when you are switching between multiple pieces. However, they require a workbench with dog holes, so they are not a universal replacement for every clamping situation.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying Cam Clamps
First, check the diameter of your bench dog holes. Most cam clamps are designed for standard 3/4" holes, but some benches use metric or other sizes. Using a clamp that does not fit properly can damage your bench or fail to hold your workpiece securely.
Next, consider the clamping capacity. Cam clamps come in different lengths to accommodate various workpiece thicknesses. Measure the thickest material you plan to clamp and ensure the clamp's range covers it.
Finally, think about the clamping pressure. While cam clamps are excellent for light to medium duty tasks, they may not provide the same force as a heavy-duty woodworking vise or a large bar clamp. If you need maximum holding power for heavy stock removal, you might need to supplement with other clamps.
The Trade-Off Between Speed and Holding Power
Cam clamps excel in speed and convenience. You can engage and release them with a simple flick of the lever, which is a huge advantage when you are doing repetitive operations like routing multiple pieces. However, this speed comes at the cost of absolute holding power.
For tasks like planing or sawing that generate strong lateral forces, a cam clamp might not be enough. In those cases, a woodworking vise or a heavy-duty bar clamp will provide more secure holding. Understand your project's demands to decide whether cam clamps are the primary solution or a complement to your existing clamping arsenal.
Decision Rules for Choosing Cam Clamps
- Check Dog Hole Compatibility: Measure the diameter of your bench dog holes. If they are 3/4" standard, choose cam clamps that are designed for that size. If they are metric or non-standard, look for clamps with adjustable or universal fit, or consider retrofitting your bench. Verify your bench's dog hole size before purchasing.
- Assess Clamping Capacity: Determine the maximum thickness of material you will clamp. Select cam clamps with a clamping range that covers your thickest workpiece. If you often work with varying thicknesses, consider a set with multiple sizes. Measure your thickest material and compare with the clamp's range.
- Evaluate Holding Power Needs: For light to medium tasks like routing, sanding, or marking, cam clamps are sufficient. For heavy-duty planing or sawing that creates strong lateral forces, use a woodworking vise or bar clamp instead. Match the clamp type to the force your task generates.
- Consider the Number of Clamps: Buy a set of cam clamps to handle multiple workpieces or to distribute pressure evenly on larger pieces. A pack of six is a good starting point for most workshops, as it allows you to clamp several pieces at once. Start with a set of six to cover common scenarios.
Product Fact: Infinity Tools Cam Clamp with Bow Products Dogs
- Infinity Tools Cam Clamp, Pack of 6, With BOW Products 6-Pack Of Dogs: Infinity Tools' Cam Clamps are precision-engineered to work seamlessly with the Bow Products Pack of Dogs, and they are sold together as a kit. This kit ensures perfect compatibility out of the box, so you don't have to worry about mismatched components.
Infinity Tools Cam Clamp, Pack of 6, With BOW Products 6-Pack Of Dogs - Infinity Tools Cam Clamp, Pack of 6, With BOW Products 6-Pack Of Dogs: The kit provides a fast, secure, and highly versatile way to apply side clamping pressure on any workbench or work table with standard 3/4" dog holes. If your workbench has standard dog holes, this set will fit and work reliably, giving you immediate versatility.
- Infinity Tools Cam Clamp, Pack of 6, With BOW Products 6-Pack Of Dogs: By clamping from the side rather than the top, you gain full, unobstructed access to the face of your workpiece—ideal for tasks like marking. This design lets you work directly on the surface without removing the clamp, saving time and improving accuracy.
Who Should Choose Cam Clamps?
Best for
- Woodworkers who frequently need unobstructed access to the workpiece face for marking, routing, or finishing.
- Those with a workbench equipped with standard 3/4" dog holes who want fast, repeatable clamping.
Not for
- Heavy-duty stock removal tasks that require maximum holding power, where a woodworking vise or large bar clamp is more appropriate.
- Workshops without dog holes on their workbench, as cam clamps require them to function.
