welding Clamps- affordable *********** clamps?

[HellaFab]

Hey guys,

I am looking for some affordable *********** welding clamps.

My local industrial supplier deals with Bessey clamps, but to get a set of *********** clamps I would be looking at a small fortune. (figuratively speaking)


What options do I have for something with 8"+ throat depth that's not going to break the bank

Cheers,
M

 

[rsanter]

Make them
Many people will take the regular vise grip C clamps and do some cutting and welding to them to make them what they want them to be.
I peso ally might have a hard time doing it to a brand new one but one that I get used that has a little rust on it is fair game

Bob

 

[HellaFab]

Fair enough.

most of the C clamps are cast... im not sure if I could get enough strength on the weld/haz area to keep them from flexing/breaking welding on an extension.

 

[buening]

What kind of quality are you looking for? HF carries 8" and 12" *********** C-clamps at a cheap price. Not the sturdiest of things, but does the job for low clamping needs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-deep-throat-c-clamp-45917.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-deep-throat-c-clamp-45919.html

 

[b-body-bob]

Those HF clamps aren't worth two craps. I bought some wide ones to clamp up some bodywork before welding and the pad on the screw side fell right off not long after I started using it.

 

[MP&C]

I came across some used body tools from a local online ad once. The widow of a local bodyman had listed them after his passing. I picked up every pair of vise grips he had in the tool box, about 3 dozen pair of various styles, for about 1/3 list price, which I thought was fair to her.

Recently I picked these up for $75 in a similar deal....

I'd rather wait and spend on good used quality than some of the HF as described above. Good to have something that will hold when you need it...

 

[buening]

That happens to me from time to time, but keep in mind you get what you pay for. It depends on the OP's intended use. For light clamping of thinner sheet stock it does the job for me. If I'm clamping 1/2" steel plates together for welding or drilling, then hell no would I use these. When you crank down on the handle the clamps spread (reducing clamping force) due to their relatively thin steel. I keep the HF around for cheap mass amount of clamps, and have a few expensive ones when I am using heavier material or need a high clamping force.

The *********** vice grips are another alternative, but have even less clamping force than the cheap HF C-clamps. The vice grips are a faster clamping method though.

 

[petawawarace]

I was looking for similar clamps and have decided to make my own with some tubing and some acme thread and nuts from mcmaster carr. I also agree on the HF c clamps being junk. The master craft ones from CT are actually decent but a little more coin.

 

[Robert Hall]

Where does one find acme thread?

 

[petawawarace]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#acme-threaded-rods/=q60lgn

Depending on the size of clamp and force needed there are many different sizes. And different style nuts to suit your clamps

 

[Robert Hall]

Thanks for the link. I should probably know better. They have everything.

 

[dr_clyde]

Have you looked at StrongHand clamps? They are a pretty affordable alternative to the bessey clamps. I use them professionally and I can attest to their quality.

 

[HellaFab]

Have you looked at StrongHand clamps? They are a pretty affordable alternative to the bessey clamps. I use them professionally and I can attest to their quality.

I haven't yet.

But I was shocked when the quote came in for besseys at $170 each!

 

[Robert Hall]

Are those Miller clamps cast or forged?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[mike13u]

I have put an assortment of Stronghand clamps to use for about five years now and they are all in great shape still and look like they will last for the remainder of my life

 

[kazlx]

How deep do you need? I like the Bessey bar clamps. Great for the price and come in a bunch of different sizes.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000FA0BMW/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?qid=1389245368&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

 

[ert01]

I have the strong hand clamps and they have been a pleasure to use. We use besseys at work and my strong hands are almost identical in fit and finish but a lot less $

 

[aczr2k]

Bessey has a few different "grades" of clamps. You'll only buy them once, spend the money get good clamps.

 

[HellaFab]

Bessey has a few different "grades" of clamps. You'll only buy them once, spend the money get good clamps.

The lowest grade that gets an 8" throat is the 2400 series which are $170 each plus tax. Just a few of those will easily add up to a grand.

I realize quality being that's what I strive for and how much work it is, but a single clamp that is $200 seems excessive for what it is.

 

[1SlowFormula]

Which 8" 2400 did you get quoted for and what clamping length do you need?

For 170 I assume you were quoted for the DT 2400-24 the 8" throat by 24" clamping length capacity, but if you were quoted that for the DT 2400-12 (8" X 12") then either the prices are jacked up in Canada or they were marking them up quite a bit since they shoudl list for about $150. On Amazon the 8" X 12" DT 2400-12 is about $122 and I've seen them in local wood working stores for just about $115. For reference the 8" X 24" DT 2400-24 lists for something like 230 and is around $175 on Amazon, but I haven't seen them in any local stores...

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I've found using simple bar clamps with the rubber pads taken off work well for many welding projects. It's easy to weld on jaw extensions if you need them to make custom versions.

Cheap, simple, and handy for my needs.