c clamp
- Thread starter simonb
- Start date
the piston thing is not the only thing is use it for; i use it to compress things, even sometimes get a ball joint in; different things
i never got use to those "special brake piston retracting tools"
i like taking an old pad and using a c-clamp
i never got use to those "special brake piston retracting tools"
i like taking an old pad and using a c-clamp
eschoendorff
Well-known member
If you can wait, find some old American iron at yard and estate sales. That's where most of mine have come from....
Brandon_Lutz
Well-known member
Armstrong makes some great ones too.
nightrain00
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2008
- Messages
- 134
I have a somewhat crappy craftsman one I bought 15-16 years ago. I usually use a big pair of channel locks for compressing brake calipers. If they won't do it I break out the clamp. It's a little less time consuming that way. Besides if the pliers won't do it it usually needs a caliper anyway
russlaferrera
Well-known member
You can pick up some great Williams, Armstrong, and older American iron. HF have been doing the job for positioning pieces to cut/weld.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Do not forget another high quality name in C-clamps Jorgenson. Actually, every brand name mentioned by the other guys above were all very good brands. I always liked the Armstrong brand myself, they used to even make old lantern post tooling for metal lathes in the day too!
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krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
i use a visegrip c-clamp to compress brake caliper pistons. it's quicker and easier than regular screw type c-clamps.
Visegrip c-clamp??
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
Vinko
Well-known member
I was just going to post ro see if anyone used a specialized tool for brake pistons.
I use the visegrip c-clamp as well. Don't do enough to know if there's some sort of fancy Stahlwille or Hazet tool that could do the job better. Though I could consider getting it, just for the heck of it
I use the visegrip c-clamp as well. Don't do enough to know if there's some sort of fancy Stahlwille or Hazet tool that could do the job better. Though I could consider getting it, just for the heck of it
Delray
Well-known member
I just use a c-clamp also. I agree many can be found at garage sales if you are in no big hurry. I bought a box full of good old timers at an auction for a few dollars.
Elroy thinks that all of the posts to this point are missing the most important issue. If you're going to purchase a c-clamp, make sure they are Forged as a cast or ductile iron c-clamp typically won't have near the strength as a good drop forged model.
You'll also want to look at the screw. A forged clamp will have an acme thread verse a machine thread. Copper plated screws along with notched pressure pads are also a nice feature.
Other options to consider in addition to a standard C-Clamp are the adjustable frame clamps typically referred to a Bessy clamps as Bessy was one of the original manufactures.
A nice multiple selection of clamps always comes in handy.
Let Elroy rephrase that:
A nice multiple selection of forged steel clamps always comes in handy.
Wilton offers some very nice pieces. Look at the Bessy brand as well and you'll find a nice selection to choose from.
http://www.besseytools.com/price_vs_cost.htm
You'll also want to look at the screw. A forged clamp will have an acme thread verse a machine thread. Copper plated screws along with notched pressure pads are also a nice feature.
Other options to consider in addition to a standard C-Clamp are the adjustable frame clamps typically referred to a Bessy clamps as Bessy was one of the original manufactures.
A nice multiple selection of clamps always comes in handy.
Let Elroy rephrase that:
A nice multiple selection of forged steel clamps always comes in handy.
Wilton offers some very nice pieces. Look at the Bessy brand as well and you'll find a nice selection to choose from.
http://www.besseytools.com/price_vs_cost.htm
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bmxr4life87
Well-known member
my hf ones have been doing the job for me they seem to be pretty nice quality for the price
Vinko
Well-known member
I'm down with Acme thread -- and if I had to pick between casting and forged, I'd go with the latter, but I've cast some seriously strong ductile iron -- stuff that's just shy of 1/4" thick. Put that in a vise and hit it with a 25 lb sledge and it ain't breaking. No matter how you hit it.
Adam McLaughlin
Well-known member
Elroy, where are Bessy Clamps made?
Adam
Adam
TRTOOLSUPPLY
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2009
- Messages
- 506
Here are some US made clamps:
Porta-Vise,made of aircraft aluminum
DIECRAFT,drop forged
Porta-Vise,made of aircraft aluminum
DIECRAFT,drop forged
They are made in Germany.
RbrtAWhyt
Well-known member
+1. I have a few and haven't had any failures yet...
The magic word here is 'YET"
wow i am suprised you digged this far back on this thread- thank you for not cluttering this message board with same question i posted 4 months ago.
i ended up going with wilton- great quality.
i love using it
some people around the shop use really long adjustable pliers- size of half your body- i still use wilton c-clamp
you cant go wrong with it.
i ended up going with wilton- great quality.
i love using it
some people around the shop use really long adjustable pliers- size of half your body- i still use wilton c-clamp
you cant go wrong with it.
ToolGlutton
Banned
Snap on does not make C clamps?
Vinko
Well-known member
If they made a rebadge, I'd consider it
In all seriousness, I've noticed the Armstrong C-Clamps on sale all the time at MSC, so were I interested, I'd go that route. I'm good on C-Clamps. For now.
Wright Tool forged clamps: http://www.royalsupply.com/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=2869