A clamping apparatus with a control mechanism includes a cam, a cam post, a handle, and a handle plate. The cam is configured to rotate into a clamped position in which the clamping apparatus is in a clamped state and an unclamped position in which the clamping apparatus is in an unclamped state. The cam post is rotatable with the cam. The handle is movable into a first position and a second position. The handle plate is rotatable with the handle. The handle plate is configured to rotate the cam post in a first direction when the handle moves from the first position to the second position. The handle plate is configured to rotate in a second direction without rotating the cam post in the second direction for a predetermined distance when the handle moves from the second position to the first position. The first direction is opposite to the second direction.