clamping tools, techniques

I was at the old home depot today and they a set of plastic clamps on sale for 7$.  Included a bunch of 1" and 3/4" resin molded hand clamps and I picked em up, thought they might be useful for keeping pieces nice and flush while gluing.  I've also employed rubber bands/womens' hair ties to wrap circumferentially around pieces.  Anyone have advice on clamping tools/techniques for a newbie/returning to modeling?  Hoping that these clamps won't torque/deform pieces.  How about tips to clamp pieces to a stable surface while working with/gluing/painting them?  Thanks as always all, and holla back ;-)