What this is
A 36" ratcheting bar clamp that reverses to function as a spreader, aimed at longer panel glue-ups and general assembly work where the ratchet-lever clamps in our ratchet clamps comparison — both under 12" — don’t reach. Olympia Tools sells the same design in 6", 12", and 24" lengths as well; this is the longest of the line.
Full specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | 38-240 |
| Length | 36" |
| Throat depth | 2.75" / 70mm |
| Jaw | Reversible front jaw — clamp or spreader |
| Handle | Double-injected pistol grip |
| Bar material | Black oxide steel |
| Clamping force | Not published on the manufacturer’s product page |
| ASIN | B003ES5T6K |
Source: olympiatools.com’s own product page for the 36" Bar Clamp & Spreader (model 38-240) — manufacturer-published, not a retailer listing.
Olympia Tools 38-240 Ratcheting Bar Clamp & Spreader (36")
Manufacturer markets this as a dual-purpose clamp-and-spreader — the jaw reverses to push apart instead of pulling together, useful for disassembly or interior spreading work a fixed-jaw bar clamp can't do.
View Price on AmazonWho this is for
Longer panel and cabinet glue-ups needing 36" of reach, or shops that want one tool doing double duty as both a clamp and a spreader instead of buying two separate tools.
Who this isn’t for
Small-parts or delicate work — at 36" this is sized for panels and assemblies, not the kind of compact, one-handed jobs the Bora 571012 or Bessey KliKlamp in our ratchet clamps comparison are built for.
Bottom line
Manufacturer-sourced specs, not a hands-on test. The standout feature on paper is the reversible spreader jaw at a genuinely long 36" reach — a different tool than the shorter, single-purpose ratchet clamps already on the site. Olympia Tools 38-240 if you need that reach or the spreader function specifically.