aluminum C-clamp - good idea or why bother?

[Duct Tape Man]

Was at a flea market this past weekend, guy who I have bought tools from before had an old (probably 50-years old) C-clamp, can't remember the maker. It was a 6-inch C-clamp, made of aluminum. Looked in good shape, for $7.

Now, what is the value of an aluminum C-clamp? It wasn't any more beefy looking than a steel one, so it isn't as strong. If that's the case, why bother buying it? Does it have other properties I'm not thinking of that would make it a worthwhile investment, or pass on it and spend the $$$ on steel ones?

Looking for opinions, thanks.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Welding, I grab Al ones whenever I can.

 

[pop pop]

I've got 4. Light weight works great doing Corvette body work.

 

[jeremy v]

**EDIT- OOPS, Buckgnarly beat me to this one while I was writing my post.** Weld spatter will not stick to aluminum clamps as easily as it would to steel clamps largely because of the aluminum oxide surface boundary layer that resists heat transfer, so I can see advantages in situations where you might be clamping something really close to where you are stick welding some steel.

Aluminum is also better at dissipating heat quickly vs. steel so it would be advantageous any time you want to minimize heat transfer or minimize the heating of the clamp itself.

You could use the aluminum clamps outside on a hot sunny day and you won't burn your hands when you pick the clamp up like you could if it was steel. I run into that sort of issue sometimes when using a steel framing square outside on a sunny day. The annoying part is that I always remember to go grab my aluminum framing square AFTER burning my hand, never before.

 

[neophyte]

If you need to carry around a bunch of C-clamps in a work bag aluminum makes things a bit easier.

 

[Duct Tape Man]

Thanks for the input guys, lots of good points.

Is $7 about right for an aluminum C-clamp, 6 inch size?

 

[Defender Chassis]

There are aluminum alloys that are stronger than plain carbon steel or cast iron.

 

[minimowog]

ally ones, might be better for clamping stainless steel as the soft face wont mark as easily

 

[Outlawmws]

I like aluminum where I don't want the weight of a steel clamp deflecting the workpieces. Generally lighter loads so the theoretically weaker aluminum, isn't generally an issue.

For welding I usually prefer the Vise Grip welders clamps over C clamps, faster, easier to setup (usually...), and less contact area to dodge. If spatter is an issue just spray the clamp with anti spatter.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks for the input guys, lots of good points.

Is $7 about right for an aluminum C-clamp, 6 inch size?

Sorry, I can't really say, I've never bought one new and I'm generally a 1-2 buck guy for clamps...

 

[theknurl]

I have a lot of clamps.....

NO aluminum ones though

no spatter either

lots of forged steel JH Williams ones though.....got a 10" one that's opened up.....put it in my old 25 ton press, I chickened out ....its still bent

 

[Outlawmws]

I have a lot of clamps.....

NO aluminum ones though

no spatter either

lots of forged steel JH Williams ones though.....got a 10" one that's opened up.....put it in my old 25 ton press, I chickened out ....its still bent

Go ahead. I have straightened dozen's of clamps. The only ones that ever broke were cheap cast ****, and just little ones at that... a good forging will not break.

 

[G_P]

I have a bunch of small AL clamps. They are great for woodworking. Hanging 10lbs of cast iron clamps on some wood will cause unwanted flexing!


Sent via carrier pigeon.

 

[theknurl]

Go ahead. I have straightened dozen's of clamps. The only ones that ever broke were cheap cast ****, and just little ones at that... a good forging will not break.

I know, I won't hurt IT, thats not what I was worrying about.....I had in the press on a diagonal
I didn't want it stuck in my chest

 

[southalabama]

Growing up the first aluminum c clamps I saw came with the camper top for the pickup bed