(Solved = F clamp with V-block) Looking for clamp to hold pipe and rectangular bar

[A&P mechanic]

Hi Garage Journal,

• Is there a small C-clamp that has a V attachment for pipe on one side and a flat surface on the other side?

I did an internet search that resulted in me buying a 2 inch capacity cantilever clamp that will arrive in the future. This will work for my project of clamping a 1 inch thick Gator V drill block to a 5/8 round solid pipe.

I looked at the Kan’t-twist clamps but noticed the V blocks go front to back versus left to right. I believe the left to right V blocks above would be more useful.

I see Strong hand makes a vise grip type plier called “pipe plier”. That would work also.

Personally, I really like small C-clamps (1st choice), small F clamps (2nd choice), then vise grip type pliers (3rd choice).

In the past, I used my drill press for tasks like this and a drill press vise, however, since this round stainless bar is 4+ feet long, I intend to not use my drill press.

Thank you!

 

[Shitbox]

Cheap c visegrips, cut the pads off, notch the arms to the angle, and weld some angle in whatever size you need.

 

[MichaelP]

There are welding clamps like this. Check Strong Hand. They might have something.

 

[willf650]

There is a pipe clamp used in the electrical trades with a slang name of a corn cob clamp that may work and be easy enough to buy at a supply house.

Corn cob clamp

Example 2

Example 3

They are available in multiple pipe sizes and can be bought individually at the supply house for minimal cost.

 

[RTM]

Get a second GaTor Guide, hold it on the bottom, let the clamp hold them together?

 

[MichaelP]

...and try to get you drill bit into a suitable hole of the bottom Guide.

Here are a few examples of what Strong Hand sells:
https://www.stronghandtools.com/products/pipe-pliers

https://www.stronghandtools.com/products/magspring?variant=43155009437931

But adding a V-shape to a regular c-clamp is a trivial thing, really. Just decide which way you prefer it to be done.

 

[tyyost]

Couldn’t you make or purchase another v block for the clamp? Have a tablesaw or know anyone who does and a block of wood solves the problem.

 

[A&P mechanic]

Cheap c visegrips, cut the pads off, notch the arms to the angle, and weld some angle in whatever size you need.

This will work but I would prefer to buy something off the shelf. In my view, a person can never have to many clamps.

There are welding clamps like this. Check Strong Hand. They might have something.

Good idea and this is where I found my ideal clamp, thank you!

There is a pipe clamp used in the electrical trades with a slang name of a corn cob clamp that may work and be easy enough to buy at a supply house.

Corn cob clamp

Example 2

Example 3

They are available in multiple pipe sizes and can be bought individually at the supply house for minimal cost.

That's a unique idea and will work, this is my first time hearding about "corn cob clamps, I learned something new

Get a second GaTor Guide, hold it on the bottom, let the clamp hold them together?

This is a unique idea.

...and try to get you drill bit into a suitable hole of the bottom Guide.

Here are a few examples of what Strong Hand sells:
https://www.stronghandtools.com/products/pipe-pliers

https://www.stronghandtools.com/products/magspring?variant=43155009437931

But adding a V-shape to a regular c-clamp is a trivial thing, really. Just decide which way you prefer it to be done.

Michael has a good point, it would be hard lining up the bottom V block drill bit hole.

Couldn’t you make or purchase another v block for the clamp? Have a tablesaw or know anyone who does and a block of wood solves the problem.

This is also a good idea, angle the table saw blade 45 degrees and do two cuts in a 2x4 to create a V shape.



I found Strong Hand makes a 4 ½ inch clamp with a V pad attachment that I bought off Amazon for ~ $28 including tax shipped. For comparison, Cyber Weld had the same clamp for $37 shipped.

I did see Strong Hand had a similar clamp with magnetic V blocks, however, occasionally, I see metal shards gets stuck to the magnetic clamp accessories, so I chose to not get the magnetic V groove attachment for their F clamp.

I also saw Strong Hand has some clip on V groove blocks with no magnetics. It would fun to see if those fit on non-strong hand C clamps.

I appreciate all the input everyone! GJ always has good insight. I had never even thought of creating my own own out of wood with a table saw or using another Gator drill guide, these are certainly problem solving ideas.
Overall, I will be looking forward to using my new 4 ½ inch F clamp and v pad attachment. Thanks guys!

Well, I am off to take my daughter to an Easter egg this morning, maybe the eggs will have screwdriver bits or tiny tools in them instead of candy, just joking Lol

 

[RTM]

Michael has a good point, it would be hard lining up the bottom V block drill bit hole.

Sorry, wasn’t quite clear enough. Since the gator block is 6” long, and you don’t put your clamp over the hole you use on the top side, turn the other gator block 180 degrees, or slide it down, and clamp the end, so you are drilling over clear space on the bottom.




And just to stay a step ahead of the un creative types, you can use double stick tape, or hot glue, to hold the bottom block to your clamp jaw. Might work for the top one too.

 

[A&P mechanic]

Sorry, wasn’t quite clear enough. Since the gator block is 6” long, and you don’t put your clamp over the hole you use on the top side, turn the other gator block 180 degrees, or slide it down, and clamp the end, so you are drilling over clear space on the bottom.




And just to stay a step ahead of the un creative types, you can use double stick tape, or hot glue, to hold the bottom block to your clamp jaw. Might work for the top one too.

I understand now and that's brilliant because there's no way to accidentally drill into the opposite drill block since it's offset underneath it.
I have (3) of those drill blocks, two for fractions and one for taps (I have never used the tap block since I believe the tapped threads end up straight if I start with a perfectly straight 90 degree hole). So, your idea would work perfect.
The F clamp is coming in the mail Monday, so I will wait to drill because I want to try out the new F clamp. The cantilever clamp is coming later this month.
Appreciate the drawing!

 

[signcrafter]

I know you found a solution already but I was googling just to see what all is out there for my own knowledge and found this. Pretty expensive but looks like it would be a handy clamp to have for pipes.

https://www.acmetools.com/bessey-4-1-2in-pipe-clamp-sg24-pc/788502052160.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23305433921&gbraid=0AAAAADub60sNCdPVi5AH7fwtneKqcn6SP&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7cLOBhDmARIsAGsuA0mAvRGwtctsz1YePXsT5ePdTbxOl1dlxIG8gQvUak1KzvprX5jP1HcaAo-TEALw_wcB

 

[A&P mechanic]

I know you found a solution already but I was googling just to see what all is out there for my own knowledge and found this. Pretty expensive but looks like it would be a handy clamp to have for pipes.

https://www.acmetools.com/bessey-4-1-2in-pipe-clamp-sg24-pc/788502052160.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23305433921&gbraid=0AAAAADub60sNCdPVi5AH7fwtneKqcn6SP&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7cLOBhDmARIsAGsuA0mAvRGwtctsz1YePXsT5ePdTbxOl1dlxIG8gQvUak1KzvprX5jP1HcaAo-TEALw_wcB

Yes, that does look handy and it's Bessey so it is going to be well made in Germany.
I notice (2) adjustment screws on those welding pliers which take a flat head screwdriver to adjust.
I realize vise grips just have that (1) big knurled nut and are easy to use by hand.
Anyway, curiosity got me about what the smaller screw is for on the bottom of those pliers, I read it is for grip/friction. Good find!

 

[signcrafter]

Yes, that does look handy and it's Bessey so it is going to be well made in Germany.
I notice (2) adjustment screws on those welding pliers which take a flat head screwdriver to adjust.
I realize vise grips just have that (1) big knurled nut and are easy to use by hand.
Anyway, curiosity got me about what the smaller screw is for on the bottom of those pliers, I read it is for grip/friction. Good find!

Interesting about the second adjusting screw, I didn't notice that. Truth be told if I needed something like that I would probably just grab an older C clamp pliers with the swivel pads and weld a piece of angle to the bottom pad. Or if that didn't open wide enough would grab an F clamp or whatever type would work best. But that one you found looks good and would be more useful. Also looks like you can index the V head on it if needed.

 

[A&P mechanic]

Interesting about the second adjusting screw, I didn't notice that. Truth be told if I needed something like that I would probably just grab an older C clamp pliers with the swivel pads and weld a piece of angle to the bottom pad. Or if that didn't open wide enough would grab an F clamp or whatever type would work best. But that one you found looks good and would be more useful. Also looks like you can index the V head on it if needed.

I agree

 

[MichaelP]

It looks like a nice clamp, indeed. But if you think about it, you cannot hold anything but very short pipes or rounds using this clamp alone. For pieces longer than a few inches, you'll need additional support. In many cases it will be a table. But if you have a table, you don't really need the clamp: you can either use a few v-blocks plus table clamps or clamp the pieces directly to the table.

 

[A&P mechanic]

It looks like a nice clamp, indeed. But if you think about it, you cannot hold anything but very short pipes or rounds using this clamp alone. For pieces longer than a few inches, you'll need additional support. In many cases it will be a table. But if you have a table, you don't really need the clamp: you can either use a few v-blocks plus table clamps or clamp the pieces directly to the table.

Well said

 

[signcrafter]

This will work but I would prefer to buy something off the shelf. In my view, a person can never have to many clamps.

Good idea and this is where I found my ideal clamp, thank you!

That's a unique idea and will work, this is my first time hearding about "corn cob clamps, I learned something new

This is a unique idea.

Michael has a good point, it would be hard lining up the bottom V block drill bit hole.

This is also a good idea, angle the table saw blade 45 degrees and do two cuts in a 2x4 to create a V shape.



I found Strong Hand makes a 4 ½ inch clamp with a V pad attachment that I bought off Amazon for ~ $28 including tax shipped. For comparison, Cyber Weld had the same clamp for $37 shipped.

I did see Strong Hand had a similar clamp with magnetic V blocks, however, occasionally, I see metal shards gets stuck to the magnetic clamp accessories, so I chose to not get the magnetic V groove attachment for their F clamp.

I also saw Strong Hand has some clip on V groove blocks with no magnetics. It would fun to see if those fit on non-strong hand C clamps.

I appreciate all the input everyone! GJ always has good insight. I had never even thought of creating my own own out of wood with a table saw or using another Gator drill guide, these are certainly problem solving ideas.
Overall, I will be looking forward to using my new 4 ½ inch F clamp and v pad attachment. Thanks guys!

Well, I am off to take my daughter to an Easter egg this morning, maybe the eggs will have screwdriver bits or tiny tools in them instead of candy, just joking Lol

I was in HF yesterday for something and spotted this while doing the walk thru the store. Made me think about this thread.

Multipurpose Magnetic V-Pad Kit, 4-Piece

Amazing deals on this 4Pc Multipurpose Magnetic V-Pad at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[A&P mechanic]

I was in HF yesterday for something and spotted this while doing the walk thru the store. Made me think about this thread.

Multipurpose Magnetic V-Pad Kit, 4-Piece

Amazing deals on this 4Pc Multipurpose Magnetic V-Pad at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Thank for the HFT magnetic block suggestion, I was unaware HFT sold those. My final clamp came in the mail today. I went overboard and bought 3 different clamps.

My overall opinion is I like the Kant-twist and the F clamp. The Taiwan clamp does not look like the picture as the picture shows the grooves as left to right instead of front to back. Therefore, I’d recommend the Kant-twist over the Taiwan clamp since they are the same price and the Kant-Twists are better since they have copper plating for welding.

 

[NUTTSGT]

As a cheap fix I have a couple of saddles from exhaust clamps that work with regular clamps for holding round pipe/tubing.

 

[RTM]

I was in HF yesterday for something and spotted this while doing the walk thru the store. Made me think about this thread.

Multipurpose Magnetic V-Pad Kit, 4-Piece

Amazing deals on this 4Pc Multipurpose Magnetic V-Pad at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Was wandering a HF while killing time waiting for someone. These seem quite a bit bigger than expected, like 3/4" was about the smallest it would handle. Resisted grabbing a set for fear of ******* of TSA people & airport scanners. Would they work for 3/8" stuff? Inquiring minds for when I'm back home, if anyone actually has them.

 

[GaryM909]

I would give chain grips a try.

 

[A&P mechanic]

I would give chain grips a try.

Those pliers would also work

I just realized I never posted pictures of the finished project.
I drilled the holes using one of the clamps with a V. Anyway, now I can pick up my workbench and wheel it around the backyard if needed. Thanks for the recommendations and now I am prepared for drilling future holes with several clamps for pipe.

 

[MichaelP]

RE: posted by RTM
Was wandering a HF while killing time waiting for someone. These seem quite a bit bigger than expected, like 3/4" was about the smallest it would handle. Resisted grabbing a set for fear of ******* of TSA people & airport scanners. Would they work for 3/8" stuff? Inquiring minds for when I'm back home, if anyone actually has them.


There are two smaller and two larger V-pads. The smaller ones will magnetically hold 3/8" rounds and up. Naturally, if you can push and hold your round part down not relying on the magnets, it can be a way smaller diameter.

 

[RTM]

There are two smaller and two larger V-pads. The smaller ones will magnetically hold 3/8" rounds and up.

Thanks. I did not think they would go that small. Appreciate the response. On the shopping list for next time I’m close by.