Pipe clamps

[Foamy]

Hello out there!
I am wondering what is the best way to accumulate pipe clamps. I have none left and am looking to replace them fast. Lost, borrowed and not returned over the years etc. So do you recommend buying them and if so Harbor Freight or... or make your own and if so best method and where to get parts.
Thanks in advance!

 

[nes999]

I find pipe clamps **** at best. What is your intended use?

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

 

[OptionalStop]

Pipe clamps deliver lots of clamping force without much effort, and have their place for certain things... I've been lucky to pick up misc ones over the years from garage/tool sales but you gotta be quick.

 

[nes999]

Pipe clamps deliver lots of clamping force without much effort, and have their place for certain things... I've been lucky to pick up misc ones over the years from garage/tool sales but you gotta be quick.

The problem with pipe clamps is they distort with very letter pressure. So if the OP ia doing lets say nicer wood working, id suggest parallel clamps.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

 

[The Cobbler]

pipe clamps work better if you oppose them to each other . one on each side of your glue up. keeps the panels flatter

 

[jimreed2160]

Well I have a very old set of Craftsman pipe clamps. They are nice but I do not use them often. I prefer my Jorgensen I beam 48" clamps. But 3/4" pipe clamps are inexpensive and can be very effective when used by a woodworker who knows what he is doing. They can be unwieldy to use if your pipe is too long and your bench is narrow.

Be sure to purchase them in pairs and you will need 4-8 of them for most table tops. Here is what I found on line:

Rockler--The nicest I have seen. $15 each at Rockler
Pony--OK. $15 at HD and 18 at Amazon
Bessie--Like the Pony clamps. $14 at Amazon
HF--Best price of all. I guess they work OK but would not be my first choice because the others have nicer feet. $9 ea at HF

Good luck with your woodworking.

 

[kbs2244]

Not a complex tool.
H F would be fine.

 

[LeeG]

The pipe used makes a difference. 3/4" pipe is better than 1/2", and schedule 80 is better than schedule 40. I like the ones Rockler sells, or at least one with a foot on it to keep them lined up.

Buy pipe in full sections and have them threaded at both ends. That way you can make your clamp as long as you need just by adding threaded a coupler between each piece.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I don't like the type that has 3 plates to hold the sliding half. They don't lock on the pipe as well.
The ones I have with a cam-like holder work much better.

Looks like the HF 1/2" have the cam like mechanism but I haven't tried them. (I have some short HF bar clamps that aren't good for much).

 

[acer66]

I just got some bessey from HD and they are fine for what they are.
Not sure how much more you get from a 3/4” pipe
but I never felt that I need more than a1/2” pipe and they are lighter.

 

[icthruu74]

I’ve got some old Pony’s that are my favorite. A set of Irwin’s that I don’t care for, they don’t thread on the pipe on the clamp end and will come off if tightened too much. I’ve also got a set of cheap harbor freight’s and they work fine although I haven’t used them much. If I needed more I’d look at Bessey’s with the feet or similar. I have had issues with 1/2” pipe flexing when glueing up larger pieces, using opposing clamps helps.

 

[mikegt4]

I have some old Craftsman and some Pony clamps (all 3/4") that I got very cheap at an Ollie's closeout store when a big box store cleared out their inventory. The big advantage of pipe clamps is that you can make them as long as you need (presuming that you have the pipe). I have made them over 10' long at times. I usually help the cam dig in to avoid slipping, use black pipe. "I" beam clamps would be better if you are just assembling furniture or similar projects.

 

[marineman]

I tend to hit a bunch of auctions and rummage sales during the summer months so I keep my eye out for any old clamps. Especially anything Yost or Bessey I'll ****** up. At this point my collection of clamps is much more impressive than my woodworking skills.

 

[derosa]

Although a little more then the pipe clamps but not significantly so when you add the cost of the pipe is these
https://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/store/dept/TL/item/MS-ABAR.**

The price is per pair, not each. They've got about the same holding power as a pipe clamp but are light enough to use one handed.

 

[eyeball]

Hello out there!

I am wondering what is the best way to accumulate pipe clamps. I have none left and am looking to replace them fast. Lost, borrowed and not returned over the years etc. So do you recommend buying them and if so Harbor Freight or... or make your own and if so best method and where to get parts.

Thanks in advance!

The best way to accumulate them? Borrow them from the guys you loaned them to years ago and keep them.

 

[jimreed2160]

I tend to hit a bunch of auctions and rummage sales during the summer months so I keep my eye out for any old clamps. Especially anything Yost or Bessey I'll ****** up. At this point my collection of clamps is much more impressive than my woodworking skills.

Well, a guy has to start somewhere. With Father's Day coming up you can drop some hints that PAIRS of clamps would be more appreciated than mugs or socks.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have 3 or 4 Pony pipe clamps. I like them, they work fine. I use them in the welding shop all the time.

Definitely get the 3/4" ones, they are slightly stiffer and that is really nice.

I've used them over 10 feet long occasionally. I just swap around pipes if I need a really long one.

There are two different types, just FYI. There is a square face and a round face. The square face clamp doesn't swivel as easily and the dynamic end is the stationary end. On the round ones, you get a bit more throat, the pad swivels, and the dynamic end is the movable end. There is a place for both in your shop.