Useful Welding Clamps

[PCO6]

If you do exhaust tubing work, make up some of these........

I saved those photos when you previously posted them and still haven't got around to making some up. Those are great! Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Lippyp]

I love the little intergrips (well thats the trade name they';re sold under here for sheet metal work espcially car panel repairs. You do need access to the back of the workpiece though so not good on closed box sections.

These if you don't know what they are.

 

[Steve_P]

I bought a couple of these from Enco on sale. They are made in china but don't seem to be your typical HF quality, or at least the ones I got were very nice. I really like the "add on accessories", which came included with the ones I bought.

http://www.stronghandtools.com/products/c3.html

 

[Steve_P]

If you do exhaust tubing work, make up some of these........

Does anyone sell those? Just curious as I've never seen that and it's a great idea.

 

[Concrete B]

I like the Bessey or Bessey copies - quick acting bar clamps. They are fast, adjustable and powerful.

Scott

^This^ I love bar clamps

 

[Monte]

I just purchased this Grip On below to try their welding pliers.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015S6CDA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Is there a benefit on using Aluminum alloy jaws?

Less weight and ööhhhm i don´t know spatter resistant maybe

Larger capacity though, compared to cast steel versions from other manufacturers

they also stand upright, ideal 3rd hand and better if you clamp a piece of metal between 2 of these clamps, so the clamps stand upright and don´t tilt over

Am planning to order some Bessey welding magnets too. Which size is the most useful ( 3, 4 or 5 " ). I will get a pair only to see first if these would come in handy when available to grab and use instead of other clamps.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006694SM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks a lot.

i would buy several different types, sometimes one type is too big, the next time the magnet is not strong enough or you need a different angle.

http://www.stronghandtools.com/products/uniquemagnets/ms346a.html
(OEM Peddinghaus/mob mini magnets)

www.eclipse-magnetics.co.uk

www.serpent-dove.com
(OEM Bessey me think)
( USA dealer: www.sav-workholding-na.com )

 

[JayL]

@ Monte

Thanks for the nice photos.

Glad to know that the Grip On can stand upright. If only I knew before hand then I would have purchased 2 pieces. These went on sale for around $20 plus change a while back at amazon.

Would you recommend the Bessey Magnets? I can get 3, 4, & 5 inches to try instead of buying just a pair of one size.

The switchable ones from Stronghand looks good too but am not sure about performance.

 

[Monte]

@ Monte

Thanks for the nice photos.

Glad to know that the Grip On can stand upright. If only I knew before hand then I would have purchased 2 pieces. These went on sale for around $20 plus change a while back at amazon.

it´s quite practical, for example to adjust the welder for spot welding like in the first pic, or in the second pic to adjust the welder for other test welds to figure out the right amp/wire speed setting etc. or to weld small pieces together and of course for regular welding on cars to weld body seams/flanges etc. (and 2 or more of every locking pliers style is always practical )

Would you recommend the Bessey Magnets? I can get 3, 4, & 5 inches to try instead of buying just a pair of one size.

The switchable ones from Stronghand looks good too but am not sure about performance.

yes why not, the prices seem to be ok for the Bessey magnets, and the more sizes you have the better, so i would try the 3,4,5 inches magnets.

switchable magnets sound like a good idea, maybe i would try 1...

 

[JayL]

Thanks again Monte.

I have to be careful when buying tools from the US. I have to be sure that it's good and working properly. I can't return it immediately if I don't like it. If it's defective then unless it's a high ticket item then I won't be sending it back to the US for warranty due to cost and hassle to do so. Just throw away.

The GJ had been a real big help for me getting the right tools.

 

[Monte]

yeah makes sense !
But i personally can guarantee you that you will be happy with any Grip-On locking pliers as well as with the Bessey magnets. They´re good and accurate. (at least the ones i have )

 

[R6 Racer]

Someone else posted this some ware else here but I thought it fit here. He called it "the finger". I am planning on making one of these up but haven't got to it yet.
Not really a clamp but I can see how it will come in very handy!

So as it's inventor said... you have all been given "the finger"!

Sorry I can't remember who to give the credit to, but it's a GJ member.
Steve

 

[shocksystems]

Great topic.

I am taking an adult ed class in welding right now. They have some of these old school corner clamps. I really like them, small, simple and effective (and seem bullet proof). Are clamps like this readily available these days?

Cheers!

Jim

 

[Brad54]

Great topic.

I am taking an adult ed class in welding right now. They have some of these old school corner clamps. I really like them, small, simple and effective (and seem bullet proof). Are clamps like this readily available these days?

Cheers!

Jim

Man, a guy with a Bridgeport could make a lot of guys happy...
I'd make them with 1/2-inch, 3/4, 1-inch, 2-inch and 4-inch slots for box tubing.

-Brad

 

[Vinko]

I like the Gripons. They make some specifically for welding (they're alum.) but they're sort of a luxury to me, and I've got quite a few of the older Petersens so I'm all set

 

[JayL]

I like the Gripons. They make some specifically for welding (they're alum.) but they're sort of a luxury to me, and I've got quite a few of the older Petersens so I'm all set

What I do is watch out for Grip Ons at amazon.com. These go on sale from time to time and prices usually go down to at least match those of the corresponding or a bit similar Irwin models.

This one i got for $20.62

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015S6CDA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This one for $13.18

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G0MGVO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jack Olsen]

I find that I don't use the magnets very often. I use a lot of vise-grip based clamps, a LOT of c-clamps, and occasionally the kant-twists and the right angle ones. (Although for right angles, I more often use an angle plate and c-clamps.)

12 and 18 inch c-clamps are handy for all sorts of stuff. I just fixed a 12-gauge steel cabinet with some of the 12-inch clamps. They can apply a lot of force. (In this picture, I'm using a piece of 5/8 square tubing as a cheater bar.)

I'm not really very particular about the brands. I have a lot of Harbor Freight clamps, and then a lot of good American-made forged steel clamps that I picked up second hand. The really important thing to me is that I don't want to spend a lot. For the kind of work I do, precision isn't my top priority. I'm kind of sloppy, but determined.

 

[lilredex]

Does anyone sell those? Just curious as I've never seen that and it's a great idea.

Never seen any. Those are not my ideas, they are things that were saved while looking around online. The vise grip clamp alteration came from Miller's shop projects, I believe.

I too am still in the stage of making some up.

Princess Auto has a versatile clamp....

http://www.princessauto.com/worksho...omponents/8244873-50-lb-swivel-welding-magnet

 

[carbon]

The clamps I use haven't been mentioned thus far. Carver clamps (I wrote the positve review on that page). I like these clamps better than the "f" style bessey clamps and c-clamps because there is no way for the clamp to get fouled up with weld splatter or twist when tightening. I find it easiest to use "upside down," with the post part up. It's not light, but I love them. Here is a stock image.

And for vise-type grips, CH Hanson makes awesome SELF-AJUSTING pliers & clamps. Set tension once, and thickness of material is irrelevant. No more twisting that damn screw everytime you need to clamp different thickness of material. Another stock image.

 

[Monte]

just used a couple of my welding magnets for a storage rack project

the "feet"

 

[cnc-me]

Quick Tip-
compressed air works well, for cleaning crud off
magnetic clamps and tools.

 

[JayL]

Can I separate this Bessey double magnetic squares and use each individually?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006694SC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.besseytools.com/en/produ...600020023&ASIMOID_MC=000000000001f07600030023

Looks cheaper than buying a single WMS-3 since I'll be getting 2 magnets.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DD5YD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.besseytools.com/en/produ...600020023&ASIMOID_MC=000000000001f07600030023

Thanks

 

[Monte]

I don´t know, but almost looks like they can be individually used since it seems they are screwed together. The magnets are discontinued in germany since 1 or 2 years so i can´t look at them anymore. Maybe email Bessey USA or the australian manufacturer.

 

[Vicegrip]

I find that I always end up using C clamps. Not picky about brand just, have lots of them.

 

[JayL]

I don´t know, but almost looks like they can be individually used since it seems they are screwed together. The magnets are discontinued in germany since 1 or 2 years so i can´t look at them anymore. Maybe email Bessey USA or the australian manufacturer.

I just sent them an email. Looking at the specs looks to me like these are just like 2 pcs WMS-3 fastened together.

Are Bessey welding magnets the same as James Morton?

I noticed the amazon site says Bessey by James Morton.

Here is a review of Bessey magnets as well.

http://www.newmetalworker.com/Reviews/besywldmags.html

Thanks

 

[bgarrett]

I love the little intergrips (well thats the trade name they';re sold under here for sheet metal work espcially car panel repairs. You do need access to the back of the workpiece though so not good on closed box sections.

These if you don't know what they are.

Those get expensive quick, if you need 20 or so.

I use some free 3/4 EMT, and a 5/16 bolt, then cut off the bolt head, hacksaw a slot to braze in a piece of banding material, and add a washer and a nut. I always finger tighten. The banding material leaves just the right gap to weld. Put a hole in the banding and use a headless nail.
These things cost nothing and you can make 20 in 30 minutes.

Pictures show the pieces, one assembled then front and back pics in use for **** welding sheetmetal.

 

[Monte]

I just sent them an email. Looking at the specs looks to me like these are just like 2 pcs WMS-3 fastened together.

Are Bessey welding magnets the same as James Morton?

I noticed the amazon site says Bessey by James Morton.

i dunno - James Morton is the american Bessey distributor bought in 2003 by Bessey. I wonder why the still use that name ?? maybe NOS. Are they they same ? maybe...
whats the price + where are they made ? Australia ?

 

[JayL]

i dunno - James Morton is the american Bessey distributor bought in 2003 by Bessey. I wonder why the still use that name ?? maybe NOS. Are they they same ? maybe...
whats the price + where are they made ? Australia ?

I guess I'll find out later as I ordered a Bessey WMS-4 by James Morton from amazon.

Monte

The WMS-5 and WMS-1 have the same size. The difference is in the pull. WMS-1 is 66 lb while the WMS-5 is 112 lb.

I'm thinking maybe I won't be needing 112 lbs of pull. How's your WMS-1?

http://www.besseytools.com/en/produ...600020023&ASIMOID_MC=000000000001f07600030023

 

[csmitty]

I picked up some of those mob mini magnets yesterday from Northern tool for 8.99/2pack. I wish I had some when I was building my work bench.

It def. looks like you can seperate the WMS-4 since it looks like just a regular phillips head screw. I'm going to get one of each probably from toolzone.com since they have some good prices. Anyone bought from there before? Couldn't find anything on resellerratings.com.

 

[JayL]

This is Bessey's reply to my email regarding the WMS-4.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006694SC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Jay,

It certainly can be used separately. This way you get two for the price of one.
Thank you for your interest in our product.
Cora

Cora Millar
Sales Administration Manager
BESSEY Tools North America
Tel: 1 800 265 8612 Ext 229
Fax: 1 519 621 3442
E-Mail: [email protected]

 

[Monte]

I guess I'll find out later as I ordered a Bessey WMS-4 by James Morton from amazon.

Monte

The WMS-5 and WMS-1 have the same size. The difference is in the pull. WMS-1 is 66 lb while the WMS-5 is 112 lb.

I'm thinking maybe I won't be needing 112 lbs of pull. How's your WMS-1?

http://www.besseytools.com/en/produ...600020023&ASIMOID_MC=000000000001f07600030023

hmm since they have the same size, the WMS-5 about twice the "holding power" but only cost $2.- more i maybe would get the WMS-5 for thick/heavy steel plates/square material and one (or 2 ?) set of the WMS-4. Sometimes the WMS-1 is too big/heavy or wide though, hence i recommend the mini magnets. I don´t work with heavy steel so the magnets work for me.

 

[5lima30]

A good variety of different sized clamps will serve you well. I also have become very fond of the various sized welding magnets that hold corners square while you tack them together. YMMV.

 

[JayL]

hmm since they have the same size, the WMS-5 about twice the "holding power" but only cost $2.- more i maybe would get the WMS-5 for thick/heavy steel plates/square material and one (or 2 ?) set of the WMS-4. Sometimes the WMS-1 is too big/heavy or wide though, hence i recommend the mini magnets. I don´t work with heavy steel so the magnets work for me.

Monte what are the dimensions of your mini magnets?

Any links?

Thanks

 

[pirana]

I don't believe anyone's mentioned it so far & even though it's not a clamp, a turnbuckle is very useful to have around for pulling something into square & for other stuff too.

 

[Monte]

Monte what are the dimensions of your mini magnets?

Any links?

Thanks

60x50x15mm

These here:

http://stronghandtools.com/products/uniquemagnets/ms346a.html

sold under different names...

 

[JayL]

So StrongHand Tools is the OEM.

Thanks Monte.

I ordered the mini magnets here.

http://store.cyberweld.com/stwemamima.html

 

[Monte]

@JayL:
Thats a good price !


btw:
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0u6iJkte3fM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[JayL]

How about good Ground Clamps?

http://store.cyberweld.com/sthagrhoggrc.html

http://store.cyberweld.com/grounclam400.html

http://store.cyberweld.com/mamagrcl300a.html

 

[Tom Hintz]

I am pretty much a lost soul when it comes to clamps. I developed the addiction on the woodworking side but found that attraction to be just as strong in metalworking. I think I have at least some of everything discussed here so far and probably some more as well.
I have reviews of all of the clamps I use at the link below (scroll down to Clamps) and those have lots of photos and video if more details on some of your options would help.

http://www.newmetalworker.com/Reviews/

 

[Monte]

i have this ground magnet. Works good. There is a spring loaded copper pin inside the magnet to make sure that there always will be contact to the work surface even if its round etc.

 

[Monte]

made my own "Bessey WMS-4" style magnets