Oetiker / double ear clamps question on sizing

[1982fxr]

I haven't used these much. They will be smaller ones in high vibration settings, Harley oil and gas lines.

Do you just use the smallest one that fits over the hose and squeeze the hell out of it?

Or do you want a certain amount of "slack" so the clamp isn't overstretched or deformed when you crimp it?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

 

[Rusted Nut]

I always use a size that slides over easily with a bit of slop, then crimp gentle/firm. Don’t mash them.

The chart posted above probably works well too.

 

[308guru]

Each clamp has a range specified.

Remember to measure the OD of the line with the fitting installed as that may increase the OD slightly.

 

[Beerhippie]

Thanks! I stole your chart and it now lives on my desktop. Much easier to understand than the guide at McMC.

I use a lot of these around the brewery and buy them from a Draught Beer systems place. I just ask for the size to fit a certain application. The parts are marked with the size in mm and nothing else. Having a cross-ref will be helpful.

 

[Steel_Rain]

I use a lot of these around the brewery and buy them from a Draught Beer systems place.

No wonder the German's love these on Audi/VW/Porsche/BMW/MB cars! If they can carry beer, they can carry anything!

I usually a firm Knipex believer, but if you using these infrequently, just buy the cheapie (i.e. Amazon) version:

 

[Beerhippie]

How many Oetikers do you think are in this system?



There are more at the other end.

I use the Oetiker clamp tools that limit the closure to get the tension right.





If you use a pair of nippers and crank the ears down as hard as you can, expect the clamp to fail.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Grainger/ Zoro both sel a kit with the clamps and the tool for installing and removing old clamps.
18500060

 

[rlitman]

...If you use a pair of nippers and crank the ears down as hard as you can, expect the clamp to fail.

Maybe, but only if you've got a death grip. Oekiker tools aren't all that sharp, and the ears are designed to be closed to the point that the metal makes contact (and then springs back just a bit when you remove the tool). Push beyond that and the nippers start to dig into the metal, but doing that with the Knipex tool on anything but the smallest of sizes takes some real effort.

Years ago I got plastic a hardware organizing tray and loaded it with an Oetiker clamp assortment. I then printed a document with a table that matches my organizer's layout, with the sizes and ranges for each clamp. What I've found is that the clamps tend to be stamped with the large end of the range in millimeters, so I put that in large letters (so there's no confusion about which clamp goes where), and the small end of the range in small letters for reference. The QR code used to point to the catalog pdf for more info, but doesn't work any more. Not that this document will be of any use to anyone but me, but more to share the idea of how I choose an Oetiker clamp from my tray when I need one:

 

[ChevyEFI]

smaller ones in high vibration settings, Harley oil and gas lines.

Depending on pressure, I would skip the crimped Oettiker and go with constant tension, or screw-tensionee gap-less-tension (EFI) clamps.

 

[GaryM909]

I have used this set for years for oxy - acetylene and argon hoses I use the first clamp that slides over the hose and clamp it down all the way. I have never had a problem.