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The right pair of pliers

TheClaw

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Dec 25, 2012
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Chicagoland
There's got to be a special pair of pliers just for these kind of wire hose clamps. They are all over my motorcycle and for years I've been wrestling with using regular pliers and a crazy twist action to open it up all the way. And then it only works 20% of the time. There's got to be a better way.6781.jpg
 
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Scott in LA

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Apr 24, 2024
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gahrajmahal

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Dec 12, 2008
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Cincinnati, Ohio
I’m curious to see where this thread goes as I hate these style clamps too! The first thing I did was to take a screen shot of your clamp to see if I could find the correct “term” for this clamp. Google images called it a single wire spring clamp, or a constant tension clamp.

IMG_1936.jpeg

Then I tried to verify that by trying to buy that clamp. I figured McMaster Carr would have an accurate description. They were close to your clamp but not exactly

IMG_1937.jpeg

Lastly, I put the proper? Clamp name into the search with pliers after it. Again, not an exact match (I want to see the pliers operating the exact clamp you showed). So, some of the responses showed a clamp pliers assortment kit. If no one shows you (& me) the correct tool for this clamp, the assortment is what I would buy. But they are probably **** tools. But, then whichever **** tool works the best, buy a good one. 😃

IMG_1938.jpeg
 

nadogail

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Coronado, CA
I bought a pair of these special pliers some 40 years ago, I don’t remember if they were KD or Lisle.
They had swivel pads on the tips of the jaws and catch to lock them closed while holding the hose clamp open.
 

CraigStu

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May 22, 2014
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Blacksburg, Va
The advantage of the wire clamps is that they have the right amount of tightness. No guessing on how hard to turn the nut driver. Also, they eliminate the need to go back over clamps installed on new hose to tighten them a bit after the hose shrinks. But yeah, I don't like them either. I think some of them are installed at the factory when the sub assembly engine, trans, subframe is not in the car. Then, once in the car, they are at the wrong location to get pliers onto.
 

Skyman

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Central Maryland
That's a modification to the original design of Corbin clamp. I would think that the same pliers would work sufficiently well with those as with the original Corbin clamps, but I've never had to mess with one of this style.
 
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rd65

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Sep 29, 2017
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Granite Falls, WA
I use duck bill plier to squeeze the clamp then turn the plier 90* to open the clamp a bit more. Has worked well for me for years.
 
OP
T

TheClaw

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Dec 25, 2012
Messages
535
Location
Chicagoland
They only holding on some vent hoses on a bank of carbs for a Kawi ZRX. The trick is getting any kind of tool in there to open them enough to slip over the spiggot. I like idea of switching them out.
 

CraigStu

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As an aside when reusing the wire spring clamps; Always put them back in exactly the same position fitting perfectly into the depressions left in the hose. This way they will reseal the (somewhat dried out & firmer than it was originally) hose.
 

Skyman

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Here are a few examples of pliers for Corbin clamps. Large and small from SO, each of which can grip from the end or the side. Craftsman with swiveling tips and ratcheting lock on the jaws.

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KnurledNut

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I have come across some of these too and always end up cussing. The normal corbin hose clamp pliers don't work because when you try to squeeze the clamp, the loops get in the way of the pliers closing. And they often need to spread further apart than flush to remove.
I have never seen a dedicated tool.

I decided to play around with the idea a little and found that of all things, wire rope cutters work surprisingly well. The bypass shear cutting edges allows the clamp to spread past itself unhindered, and the curvature keeps the loops from slipping off and locked in. The sharp hook point of the jaws will also dig and grab the loops when the clamp is partially buried in hose. These cutters typically open pretty wide and should accommodate a pretty good range of sizes.
One thing to note is that this only works with the loops in the orientation pictured. If they are like the OP's pic, they would need to be flipped around, but that's not a deal breaker and can be done before removal.
I have a couple different pairs of these wire rope cutters and my generic imports have a metal loop to keep them closed when not being used. But in this case it also works to keep the clamp held open.
:beer:
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PZ 1

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Jan 25, 2009
Messages
103
The benefit of the clamp is that it gives constant tension. During heating and cooling cycles, and when the hose shrinks (as they do in time), the clamp will expand and contract to keep constant spring tension on the connection. They are also more of a perfect circle than a screw clamp, especially with smaller hoses. I always keep them where used and will only replace with the same type clamps.
I believe the true corbin clamp is the wire type, but see that the sheet metal type is now being called a corbin too. That is bothersome, but I am sure will be a losing battle.
 
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