Weldable half C clamps (Do I really half to pay this much)

[skipnay]

I was looking into getting some Weldable half C clamps. Until I seen the price of $35 plus. This makes no sense to me since I can buy a C clamp cut it off and weld a base plate to it. Maybe I'm just looking at the wrong places. Maybe they are called something else. Who knows because what I'm finding. I'll just go on craigslist or ebay and C clamps cut them down and weld a plate to them....

Sample picture below...

The picture below I could make with a long 5/8 bolt, nut and some 1/4 plate steel I have now.

 

[ssdave]

I wouldn't go to the trouble and effort to make a poor substitute like your last photo, if I could buy a nice unit like your first photo for $35. Is your time, both making and using the clamp worth nothing to you?

How about the copper plating to keep weld splatter from sticking to the threads? or the pivoting ball end shoe that makes the clamp conform to the piece and work well? or the high strength, fast acting acme threads that don't gall and stick and wear after hundreds of repetitive uses?

There's a time to be cheap, this wouldn't be one I would choose.

 

[Milton Shaw]

I have several of the Stronghand 1/2 clamps that fit a pipe ring welded to the work table. They work great and are very strong with just a tack weld holding the ring to the table. I cannot remember the price but they are extremely heavy duty and work great. Google stronghand and get on their web site for more information.

 

[skipnay]

I wouldn't go to the trouble and effort to make a poor substitute like your last photo, if I could buy a nice unit like your first photo for $35. Is your time, both making and using the clamp worth nothing to you?

How about the copper plating to keep weld splatter from sticking to the threads? or the pivoting ball end shoe that makes the clamp conform to the piece and work well? or the high strength, fast acting acme threads that don't gall and stick and wear after hundreds of repetitive uses?

There's a time to be cheap, this wouldn't be one I would choose.

I would probably just cut come C clamps I have or buy some C clamps and do it that way, then just building my own!

 

[ssdave]

I would probably just cut come C clamps I have or buy some C clamps and do it that way, then just building my own!

That would work better, if the material is weldable. A lot of clamps today are cast or at the best ductile iron. Forged steel clamps are about as valuable as the specific weld hold down clamps you initially referenced.

Have you tried welding a base plate on a cut off clamp yet?