When I started woodworking, I thought hand screw clamps were old-fashioned school-shop tools, not something any modern woodworker would use. Boy, was I wrong. Sure, fast-action metal clamps are better for most jobs, but for anything out of the ordinary, reach for a couple of hand screws. Why? First, the jaws can clamp tapered parts or parts that aren't parallel. And second, because they're made from wood, you can cut them, drill them and screw stuff to them. Here's just one example: This oval stool seat would be tough to clamp with standard clamps. But with hanger screws driven into a hand screw clamp, it's easy. Drill a couple of holes into the seat, insert the hanger screws and squeeze the split seat together. Check out these 56 brilliant woodworking tips . Ken Collier, Editor in Chief