C Clamp thread?
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
You can get a new replacement pad for that from rangers or McMaster.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Nice job on the Williams BJ!
bulletpruf
Well-known member
Have been buying C-clamps used on eBay; not cheap, but no yard or estate sales or flea markets in Korea with U.S. made C-clamps for sale.
Have been buying JH Williams *********** drop forged clamps; I pick them up for $10-$20 a clamp plus shipping for the moderate sized ones (CC402, 403, 404, 406). Package deals are better; have picked up a few random clamps along with the JH Williams package deals. The larger clamps (8" - 12" opening -- CC408, CC410, CC412) aren't that much more expensive.
Also picked up a few JH Williams Vulcan clamps. These are the ones that you need a wrench to tighten. Got a #5 - pretty darn large. Think I have a #2 on the way. These get pretty expensive (start at $20 for the smaller ones and go up to $100+), but sometimes you can find one in decent shape with a very reasonable Buy It Now.
Lot of Kant Twist clamps on eBay; mostly new. Picked up some of the 4.5" ones; pretty big. Need to get some smaller ones, too.
If I manage to find some spare time, I'll take a wire wheel to them all and oil or paint them. Not going to be anytime soon; leaving tomorrow for 3 weeks of fun in the sun a click or two from the DMZ.
Scott
Have been buying JH Williams *********** drop forged clamps; I pick them up for $10-$20 a clamp plus shipping for the moderate sized ones (CC402, 403, 404, 406). Package deals are better; have picked up a few random clamps along with the JH Williams package deals. The larger clamps (8" - 12" opening -- CC408, CC410, CC412) aren't that much more expensive.
Also picked up a few JH Williams Vulcan clamps. These are the ones that you need a wrench to tighten. Got a #5 - pretty darn large. Think I have a #2 on the way. These get pretty expensive (start at $20 for the smaller ones and go up to $100+), but sometimes you can find one in decent shape with a very reasonable Buy It Now.
Lot of Kant Twist clamps on eBay; mostly new. Picked up some of the 4.5" ones; pretty big. Need to get some smaller ones, too.
If I manage to find some spare time, I'll take a wire wheel to them all and oil or paint them. Not going to be anytime soon; leaving tomorrow for 3 weeks of fun in the sun a click or two from the DMZ.
Scott
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bulletpruf
Well-known member
I think I'm going to have a clamp problem...I just ordered a #6 Vulcan because I got it for $30 with free shipping. Similar to this - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Williams-No...9?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item27e7aa7223
Yes, I got a good deal on it, but if I'm only doing light welding and fabrication, would I ever need one of these? My #5 is pretty darn heavy; will be interested to see how hefty this one is. What do y'all use these for?
I also won an auction for about 20 c-clamps of random sizes, so maybe I can lay off buying these for a while.
Scott
Yes, I got a good deal on it, but if I'm only doing light welding and fabrication, would I ever need one of these? My #5 is pretty darn heavy; will be interested to see how hefty this one is. What do y'all use these for?
I also won an auction for about 20 c-clamps of random sizes, so maybe I can lay off buying these for a while.
Scott
rlitman
Well-known member
I have a Williams Agrippa that looks to be almost the same, except it has a handle and closes all the way. I really like the fine thread, because you can get some serious force on it. I don't tend to use this much for clamping, but it makes a fine handheld press.
bulletpruf
Well-known member
Looks like the bodies have been sand-blasted. Not sure on the screws.
Are y'all repainting your cleaned up ones or leaving them au natural with some wax or oil?
Scott
Outlawmws
Well-known member
A wire wheel works well on Clamps. I've often painted the bodies using Machinery grey. Wears well, or the old formulas did. I haven't tried the new CARB compliant Machinery Grey.
bulletpruf
Well-known member
I planned to use a wire wheel on mine.
Who makes the Machinery Grey? I have some flat clear that should do the trick, too.
Scott
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Probably most every brand. I've used everything from Rustoleum to a local hardware store chain's "house brand"
dr_clyde
Well-known member
Brians VWss
Well-known member
bulletpruf
Well-known member
Very nice. What do you plan to use them for?
bulletpruf
Well-known member
Here are the ones that I've scrounged over the last few weeks. The JH Williams Vulcans up top are #6, #5, #4, and #2. I have a few more on the way. The JH Williams Drop Forged C Clamps are CC408, CC406, CC404, CC403, and CC402. I have a few more of these in the mail, too. There are a few miscellaneous clamps in the bottom row, including a Cincinnati 556 or 566. I have a match for it in the mail.
I took a wire wheel to some this weekend. The ones with patina cleaned up fine (see the C clamp to the right in the next picture), but the ones that were painted really shined under the paint.
The shiny CC 403 below was blue when I bought it (pictured above). Figured this was painted by the PO but that only makes sense if he painted it as soon as he got it. Don't see how you would get it this clean with a wire brush, and surface is too smooth for sandblasting. Were these painted when new? I also have three that were painted red; one that still needs a wire brushing is pictured to the left.
One of my Vulcan #2's was the same way -- it was red when I bought it. When I wire wheeled the paint off, it was quite shiny. The #2 clamps next to it were wire wheeled as well, but they still have plenty of patina.
I took a wire wheel to some this weekend. The ones with patina cleaned up fine (see the C clamp to the right in the next picture), but the ones that were painted really shined under the paint.
The shiny CC 403 below was blue when I bought it (pictured above). Figured this was painted by the PO but that only makes sense if he painted it as soon as he got it. Don't see how you would get it this clean with a wire brush, and surface is too smooth for sandblasting. Were these painted when new? I also have three that were painted red; one that still needs a wire brushing is pictured to the left.
One of my Vulcan #2's was the same way -- it was red when I bought it. When I wire wheeled the paint off, it was quite shiny. The #2 clamps next to it were wire wheeled as well, but they still have plenty of patina.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
The thick ones at the top of the first picture are extremely good to have for high tension stuff! When you really need to clamp, grab those!
bigcaddy
Well-known member
bulletpruf
Well-known member
The larger clamps run close to $400 new... http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Clamps_c_2817-1-2.html
The new JH Williams drop forged 4" clamps with copper screw are $26/each http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-CC-404C-Hand-Tools-Clamps. Not too bad, but if you can scrounge them for $1/each at garage and estate sales, not worth the $.
Scott
bulletpruf
Well-known member
One of my Vulcan #2's was the same way -- it was red when I bought it. When I wire wheeled the paint off, it was quite shiny. The #2 clamps next to it were wire wheeled as well, but they still have plenty of patina.
Ended up getting rid of all of the patina - soaked it in straight white vinegar for about 24 hours and then took a wire wheel to it. Very shiny now. Soaked it a bit too long; vinegar started to eat away at the metal. Will try shorter soak next.
Scott