C Clamps, anyone?

[Jason280]

I picked up a few C Clamps from the pawn shop this week, and have a few questions. One, on the clamps below (far left), is it possible to replace the missing swivel pad? I know it may not be worth it on the Chinese clamp, but may be on the Wilton.

Also, any idea what these clamps are generally used for? One is a Wilton #4, the other is an Armstrong 78-030. To call them beefy is an understatement, they are certainly massive. Are they very expensive?

 

[cmandp]

Nice finds. I've seen those mystery clamps used to secure the main and cross beams together when moving houses. Not sure what they're called.

 

[Jason280]

My plan when I bought them was to make a couple of small vises out of them, but may just keep them as is.

 

[LumpyMusic]

Do the big monsters look like they ever did have pads? They look sort of like U joint (or similar) presses, which typically don't have pads but mate with various sized bushings and adaptors to fit the appropriate bearing being pressed.

They obviously aren't U joint presses of course becaue the opposite face is flat. But perhaps something similar? Particularly becaue the "handle" end is wrench flats instead of a sliding bar.


Lumpy

You were on CHiPs? Did you wear those ****
tight pants and high boots like Erik Estrada?
No. Swimtrunks.
www.LumpyMusic.com

 

[cmandp]

https://www.armstrongtools.com/catalog/products.jsp?groupID=185

 

[dr_clyde]

Those beefy clamps are used a lot in lifting and rigging. Crank em down on drum or plate of steel, run a sling through the clamp and lift with a forklift or a bridge crane. Useful if you do that sort of thing. Kind of clunky to use as a regular c clamp.

 

[Jason280]

Interesting. I was able to get the clamps cheap, $40 for all four.

 

[machine_punk]

There was a thread recently on replacing swivel pads on C clamps...I seem to remember McMaster Carr has generic swivel pads in several sizes.

I don't have personal experience with the other C clamps, but they look a lot like the the clamps used by iron workers to hold steel beams in place, while they fasten them with something else (welding, bolting, riveting, etc.)

M_P

 

[Outlawmws]

The big heavy clamps are known as bridge clamps. and did not use pads, like regular C clamps. As mentioned, used in heavy rigging and ironwork. They often will not fully close.

Larger eplacement C clamp pads, are available are Mcmaster or Grangers, possibly both.

 

[Jason280]

I'll have to check and see if I can get a pad for the smaller Wilton, but I doubt I will do much with the Chinese clamp. If anything, I might weld a large washer to it to use as on brake pistons.

 

[toolmiser]

I had a few that were missing the pads, not knowing about replacement ones, I welded a short chunk of pipe to a washer, and then cut slots near the other end of pipe. I placed it over the clamp end, peened them a little the tack welded the kerfs together. They work pretty well.

 

[NastyNate]

Sale price of $125.00 for the armstrong

http://www.ironworkerstool.com/product-p/armstrong 78-030.htm

 

[Jason280]

Sale price of $125.00 for the armstrong

Wow!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I replaced a missing pad with a appropriate sized nut on one of my C-clamps. Not the best but it works.

 

[woody 73]

yes you hit the big one for paying $40.00 dollars for those Very,Very expensive Heavy duty clamps! but they are not used by woodworkers for obvious reasons. I see the city workers lifting large large plates using those clamps when they are reparing the roads.

 

[srmofo]

There was a thread recently on replacing swivel pads on C clamps...I seem to remember McMaster Carr has generic swivel pads in several sizes.

I don't have personal experience with the other C clamps, but they look a lot like the the clamps used by iron workers to hold steel beams in place, while they fasten them with something else (welding, bolting, riveting, etc.)

M_P

The thread was called c clamp junkies. I started it, if you want to go looking for it

 

[osborn.ozzy]

Change your profile picture, I cant focus on the tools.

 

[rodm1]

The big heavy clamps are known as bridge clamps. and did not use pads, like regular C clamps. As mentioned, used in heavy rigging and ironwork. They often will not fully close.

Larger eplacement C clamp pads, are available are Mcmaster or Grangers, possibly both.

Tool and die makers use then daily to move heavy plates around.