Almost every wood worker out there has at one time or another clamped and glued boards together to make a panel. A fairly simple and routine task, but one that can have fairly different results depending on the type and quality of clamps used. Bar clamps can provide decent results as far as getting the boards together, but they also allow the faces to become misaligned. What’s needed is really a clamp that produces pressure both vertically, and horizontally.

This is where panel clamps come in. Sure you could go out and purchase some pre-made equal pressure panel clamps, but making things is what you do – so it’s time to make your own.

These DIY panel clamp plans give you the material lists, and the visuals to build your own.

DIY panel clamp materials list

• 4 – 3/4″ x 3 1/2″ x 48″ hardwood boards
• 22″ of 1″ diameter hardwood dowel
• 8 – 3/8″ eyebolts, 8″ long
• 20 – 3/8″ hex nuts
• 1 – 3/8″ T-nut
• 4 – 1/4″ x 3/4″ panhead sheet metal screws
• 2 – 3/8″ locknuts
• 4 – 1/4″ fender washers
• 1 – 3/8″ threaded rod, 12″ long
• 1 – 3/8″ x 3″ carriage bolt
• 1 – 3/8″ thread handle

DIY panel clamp notes

• Cut 1″ off of each 3/4″ x 3 1/2″ board, so they are 47″ in total length. This will provide the materials for the blocks in the clamp mechanisms
• Face glue the boards into two units so they are each 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ x 47″ long.
• Drill 1 1/4″ holes, 3″ apart through the glued boards. It’s best to drill both boards together, to ensure the holes are aligned
• Both clamp mechanisms are very similar, with the difference being the threaded rod and handle on mechanism B.

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