Jaw opening
Clamping width provided by vise or clamp (see "Type")
In this case, the width of the clamp means the maximum distance that the jaws or stops of the tool can be spread, in other words, the maximum size of an object that can be clamped with this device.
Large clamping width, on the one hand, makes the tool more versatile and expands its capabilities; on the other hand, it affects the dimensions, weight and price, and also makes it difficult to work with small objects (a large tool is poorly suited for this). So, when choosing according to this parameter, you should not chase after the maximum margin, but take into account the size of the parts that you really plan to work with: for example, it hardly makes sense to buy a 500 mm clamp if you need a clamp for gluing plywood planks together.
Throat depth
The depth of clamping provided by a vise or clamp (see "Type").
This parameter specifies how deep the clamped part can go between the jaws or stops until its edge rests against the tool. When choosing according to the depth of the clamp, note that a large depth accordingly affects the dimensions, weight and price of the tool.
Jaw width
Tool jaw width. It is indicated mainly for vices (see "Type") — among the clamps there are not so many models equipped with jaws.
Larger jaws provide a more secure hold, especially with large workpiece sizes, but make it difficult to work with small parts, and also affect the dimensions and weight of the entire tool.
Clamping force
Clamping force provided by a vise or clamp (see "Type").
This parameter describes the force with which the fixture is able to compress the fixed parts. It is measured in kilonewtons; Recall that 10 newtons approximately correspond to a force of 1 kg, so, for example, 1.5 kN is about 150 kg.
On the one hand, the greater the clamping force, the more powerful and advanced the tool is, the wider the potential scope of its application. On the other hand, high efforts are not always required, on the contrary: when working with soft or delicate materials, it is necessary to limit the pressure force, and not all tools have such an opportunity. Therefore, when choosing, you should proceed from what materials you plan to work with and what tasks to solve. Note that for general use, in most cases, a force of 1.5 – 2 kN is sufficient; more detailed recommendations for specific tasks can be found in special sources.
Pipe diameter
The diameter of the pipes for which the vice or clamp of the corresponding purpose is designed (see "Purpose of the vice", "Design").
The meaning of this parameter depends on the type and design features of the tool. So, classic pipe clamps, which have a detachable design and are put on the pipe from different ends, are made for specific pipe diameters and in most cases cannot be used with parts of other sizes. And in the case of a vice, this paragraph indicates the maximum diameter of the pipe that can be clamped with a tool; a larger part simply does not fit in the frame.
