Features
- Mounts directly to a workbench or work surface
- Approximately 200 lb (≈90 kg) clamping force
- Max jaw opening about 3 in (79 mm)
- Fixed 90° clamping angle
- Independently adjustable left and right clamps
- T‑bar steel handle
- Manufacturer warranty (see manufacturer for terms)
Specifications
Maximum Clamping Force | 200 lb (≈90 kg) |
Maximum Jaw Opening | 3 in (79 mm) |
Throat Depth | 3 in (as listed) |
Jaw Width | 3 in (listed in some sources) / 45 mm (alternative measurement reported) |
Average Clamping Force | 90 kg |
Body Material | Steel (manufacturer listing) |
Handle Material | Steel |
Handle Type | T‑bar |
Jaw Depth | 15 mm (reported in specification table) |
Distance Between Centers Of Fixing Holes | 110 mm |
Number Of Pieces | 1 |
Packaging | Hanging card |
Packed Dimensions (L × W × H) | 190 mm × 190 mm × 40 mm |
Product Length | 190 mm |
Product Width | 190 mm |
Product Height | 40 mm |
Product Weight | 300 g (0.3 kg / 0.6 lb) |
Sustained Clamping Force | 90 kg |
Product Type | Specialty clamp |
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Right-angle corner clamp for small-scale woodworking and assembly. Provides up to about 200 lb (≈90 kg) of clamping force, holds pieces at a fixed 90° angle, and can be mounted to a workbench for hands‑free operation. Left and right clamp elements are independently adjustable.
DeWalt 90° Corner Clamp Review
A handy third hand for small assemblies
The first time I bolted this corner clamp to my bench, it immediately changed how I handle small frames and box corners. It’s a simple idea executed well: hold two workpieces at a fixed 90-degree angle, free up your hands, and give you enough clamping force to glue, pin, or screw without the joint wandering. For picture frames, small cabinet doors, boxes, and light carcass work, this DeWalt corner clamp has been a steady helper in my shop.
Build and setup
This is an all‑metal unit with a steel T‑bar handle on each side and independently adjustable left and right jaws. The body is compact—about 190 mm square—and mounts directly to a workbench through two fixing holes. The hole spacing is roughly 110 mm center‑to‑center, which lined up easily with a scrap sub‑plate I use for clamp fixtures. Bolting it down turns it into a stable, hands‑free workstation; kept loose, it’s still easy to use, but bench‑mounting is worth it if you’re batching parts.
Fit and finish are tidy. Threads engage smoothly with no gritty spots on my sample, and the handles offer predictable torque without flexing. The listed weight is only 300 g, which seems optimistic; in the hand, it feels more substantial than that, and the all‑steel construction inspires confidence compared with plastic‑bodied corner clamps I’ve used in the past.
Jaw geometry is generous for a compact clamp: a maximum opening of about 3 in (79 mm) and a throat of about 3 in lets you grab 1x and 2x stock, small panels, and face‑frame members without gymnastics. Jaw faces are bare metal, so I keep a couple of thin cork pads around for delicate finishes. Most of the time, careful tightening leaves no marks, but it’s good insurance on softwoods and pre‑finished trim.
Clamping performance and accuracy
DeWalt rates the clamping force at roughly 200 lb (≈90 kg), and in practice I’ve never wanted more for the size of work this clamp is meant for. The T‑handles give you controlled leverage, and the screws don’t cam or kick the work out of alignment as you tension both sides. The real win is the independent adjustability: you can snug one side to bring edges flush, then bring the opposing side up to square and pressure. It’s faster than shimming a one‑screw corner clamp and lets you correct small variations in thickness.
Out of the box, mine was square. Checking with a reliable engineer’s square, I couldn’t detect daylight at the inside corner, which is what I want to see. Because the clamp forces the interior corner to 90 degrees, it rewards accurate cutting—if your miter saw or table saw isn’t dialed in, the clamp won’t hide it—but it does a nice job of holding a true joint while glue cures or while you drive fasteners.
On mitered frames, I like to bring one jaw up to kiss the work, then manipulate the second piece in the corner until the inside profiles align, and finally tension both handles evenly. On butt joints and T‑joints (think shelves meeting dividers), the clamp presents the parts so pilot holes and screws can be driven square without fighting the work. Being able to use it as a T‑joint helper is more useful than you’d think; it essentially acts as a small assembly fixture.
In use: real‑world tasks
- Picture frames and small trim: The fixed 90° keeps delicate miters lined up while I add a spline or brad. With thin cork pads, I’ve avoided denting soft pine and primed MDF even at firm clamping pressure.
- Small boxes and drawers: With a pair of clamps, box assembly becomes straightforward—glue, clamp adjacent corners, and check diagonals. The 3 in throat will limit you to modest depths, but for shop organizers and jewelry boxes it’s great.
- Face frames and T‑joints: Position the stile in one jaw, rail in the other, and the inner corner becomes a dead‑simple reference to hold everything flush for pocket‑screw assembly or doweling.
- On the bench: Bolting the clamp down is worth the five minutes. It keeps the body from skating while you adjust, and it turns repetitive joints into a repeatable process. For a quick job, I’ll drop it in a bench vise rather than bolt it, which also works fine.
Limitations to keep in mind
- Capacity ceiling: A 3 in jaw opening is plenty for 1x material, most 2x thicknesses, and narrow panels, but it won’t reach deep into cabinet sides or clamp 4x posts. For large carcasses, parallel‑jaw clamps and corner squares are still my go‑to.
- Throat depth: Listed at about 3 in, which means on wide rails/stiles the pressure point is nearer the edge. You may need to reposition and re‑clamp if you want pressure closer to the midspan of wider members.
- Jaw protection: The bare metal faces haven’t marred my work when used judiciously, but if you’re pressing into softwoods, add pads. There are no built‑in replaceable jaw covers.
- Speed: Independent screws are a blessing for adjustment, but they’re not as fast as a quick‑release mechanism. For production runs, you might want two clamps or a specialized corner fixture to keep pace.
Tips for best results
- Equalize pressure: Alternate between the two handles as you tighten to avoid skewing the joint. If one side gets ahead, parts can creep.
- Reference faces: Mark the show faces and keep them against the fixed faces of the clamp for consistent alignment.
- Pads for delicate work: Thin cork, veneer offcuts, or painter’s tape on the jaws prevent dings without killing grip.
- Keep threads clean: Glue squeeze‑out will find threads. A nylon brush and a drop of dry lubricant keep them smooth.
- Bench mount when possible: Even two small bolts into a plywood plate clamped in your vise will make operation more stable and predictable.
Durability and warranty
The all‑steel construction is the right choice for a clamp that’s going to get torqued repeatedly. I see no plastic stress points, and the handles have held up fine under firm tightening. DeWalt backs the tool with a manufacturer warranty; exact terms vary by region, so it’s worth checking locally. As with any clamp, longevity comes down to not abusing the threads and keeping the jaws clean.
Alternatives and where it fits
Band clamps excel at pulling together larger or irregular frames but don’t provide the fixed 90° reference this clamp offers. Quick‑corner plastic clamps are lighter and cheaper, but they flex under load and can crack. Heavy‑duty miter clamps with dual screws and rotating pads offer more reach and force but cost more and take up more real estate. The DeWalt corner clamp hits a pragmatic middle ground: enough capacity and force for most small wood assemblies, accurate squareness, and a compact footprint.
Pros
- Rigid, all‑metal build with smooth screw action
- Fixed, accurate 90° corner holds joints true
- Independent left/right adjustment is great for flush alignment
- Mounts to a bench for hands‑free, repeatable work
- Adequate clamping force for glue‑ups and fastening
Cons
- Limited to about 3 in jaw opening and throat; not for large carcasses
- No protective jaw pads included
- Two screws are slower than quick‑release styles for batch work
The bottom line
If your work includes small frames, boxes, face frames, or shelf T‑joints, this corner clamp earns its space. It’s sturdy, square, and straightforward to use, with enough adjustability to correct minor stock inconsistencies without fighting you. The ability to bolt it down turns it into a reliable little assembly station, and the 200 lb class clamping force is more than enough for the tasks it’s designed for.
Recommendation: I recommend the DeWalt corner clamp for woodworkers and DIYers who routinely assemble small to medium 90° joints and want a reliable third hand. Its build quality, accurate squareness, and bench‑mount capability outweigh the capacity limits. If you’re building full‑size cabinets or need to clamp deep into panels, look to larger corner fixtures, but for the everyday right‑angle tasks most of us face, this one performs consistently and makes the work easier.
Project Ideas
Business
Custom Frame Pop-Up
Offer on-site custom framing at markets: precut common sizes and use the corner clamp on a portable bench to glue/brace corners square. Upsell finishes, matting, and hanging hardware. The fast, hands-free clamping speeds throughput.
Batch Planter and Desk Organizer Shop
Produce small planters, pen holders, and modular cube organizers for Etsy or local boutiques. Set up a dedicated clamping station (or multiple corner clamps) for rapid, repeatable glue-ups with square corners that stack neatly.
Furniture Corner Repair Service
Offer mobile repairs for loose drawer boxes, cabinet doors, and frames. The clamp’s fixed 90° makes re-squaring quick; the 3 in capacity fits most small carcasses and drawer corners. Charge per repair or by hour and add touch-up finishing.
Intro to Joinery Workshops
Host classes teaching square assemblies, mitered frames, and box joinery. Students use the corner clamp to understand alignment and clamping pressure. Monetize via tuition, kits, and tool sales/affiliations.
Prototype Jigs and Fixtures Service
Provide fast prototyping of small right-angle jigs for makers (e.g., camera rigs, shop fixtures, router guides). The clamp holds parts at true 90° while you glue or screw assemblies, delivering accurate prototypes with quick turnaround.
Creative
Perfect Picture Frames
Build custom picture frames with crisp mitered corners. The fixed 90° angle and ~200 lb clamping force keep miters tight for clean glue squeeze-out and invisible joints. Mount to the bench for hands-free assembly and repeat the process for matched sets of frames.
Keepsake Box With Splined Corners
Glue up a small box using the clamp to hold each corner square. After curing, cut decorative spline slots across the corners for strength and style. The 3 in jaw opening accommodates common box side thicknesses, and independently adjustable jaws help when sides aren’t identical thickness.
Geometric Planters
Assemble small square or rectangular wooden planters or pencil cups. Use the clamp to hold panels at true 90° while you glue and brad-nail for quick production. Add a waterproof liner or finish. The T‑bar handle gives consistent pressure so corners stay flush.
Shadow Boxes and Display Cases
Create shallow wall-mounted display boxes for collectibles. The corner clamp ensures square carcasses, reducing racking. Mount the clamp to a board as a mini assembly station for faster, repeatable builds.
Acrylic LED Light Box
Make a small acrylic light box: protect acrylic with felt pads on the jaws, apply solvent cement while the clamp holds panels at 90°. The independent left/right clamps help align panels of slightly different thickness for tight, bubble-free seams.