Pipe Clamps

Re: Pipe Clamps

BilWil

>Folks use black pipe because it is a bit softer for the clamp to "bite" into and it is cheaper. Galv is more expensive and somewhat harder. However, galv doesn't stain the wood like black does - you pays your money and takes your chances.

Re: Pipe Clamps

Bob Fawcett

>The zinc coating that is "galvanized" tends to make the clamps slip and not hold the pipe as well. Some use it anyway and claim it works OK. Black pipe should be cheaper, but may not be in some stores.

I only have a few jorgenson pipe clamps and can't compare for you.

Re: Pipe Clamps

Dale Lenz

>I have a dozen or more Jorgenson pipe clamps, Pony's and two Sears, if that say something. I have one or two galvanized pipes with several black. If I had it to do over I'd buy all galvanized pipes, they work fine. I also have both ends of the pipe threaded so I can add a pipe coupler if I need to make the clamp longer.

Re: Pipe Clamps

Ernie Miller

>I have both the HF and the jorginson. first there are two types sold at HF make sure that you get the typ with the rings to hold the clamp in place not the toothed pawls. the differance between the Jorg's and the HF is thet there are 4 rings on my Jorgs and only 3 on the HF both seem to work about the same. the HF have rubber pads that go over the steel jaws. The HF are cheaper and you can see it in the castings but they seem to work ok on top of that you can often find the HF on sale 1/2 off. there F clamps seem to work pretty good alos. Valentines day is comming My wife allways gives me a boquet of clamps instead of flowers nothing is prettier than 6-8 clamps in a 5 gallon bucket with a bow on it. Oh YA I have a sweet honey at home.

Re: Pipe Clamps

Ray Binnicker

>Ernie,

You silver tongue devil, you !

A Corral Full of Ponys

George@Colonel's Workshop-Havertown PA

>Good Afternoon Charles and Ernie,

What Ernie says confirms my thoughts. The HF do work as well for practical purposes. I'm not so sure the casting is as good as the Orange variety, having cracked two clamps after bouncing them off the floor. But the price is low enough for a painless replacement. I acquired my Ponys and Jorgies over time from cabinet shops and carpenters who were leaving the trade, never paying more than $5 each. I do prefer the Jorganson bar clamp. Pipe color doesn't matter to me: whatever my plummer salvages always works well.

George

recommendation

bill tindal, E.TN

>Don't own pipe clamps. They slip, they flex when clamping panels, they weigh a lot.

Buy aluminum bar clamps. I especially like the ones at Woodcraft with the thumb screw instead of the small bar for tightening.

Re: Pipe Clamps

Don Henthorn

>I've had galvanized slip but I have never had black pipe slip. However it is important to realize that pipe OD's are not uniform. Some half inch black of galvanized pipe will be smaller or larger in OD than others. Same with other OD's. I suspect that slipping happens because of small pipe diameter rather than because it is black or galvanized. Don't know this for sure, but I suspect it because I know a lot of galvanized users who have never had a problem

Re: Pipe Clamps

Larry Clinton At Frankfort (Central)., Indiana

>I have several pipe clamps of assorted vintage and brands - purchased mostly at auctions. I even have a couple that have small wheels to tighten the clamps. I use old pipe (cleaned) and have both black and galvanized. Other than having to be careful not to stain oak with the black pipe I see no difference in the pipe slipping etc. I can't really see much if any difference in the action of the clamps - I do have a few that are stiffer to release when positioning the foot, but that may be the age of the clamps. I think some are older than me and I'm older than dirt. I usually use scraps of wood between the clamp faces and the project as I don't have pads on the pipe clamps. I have thought about coating them or sticking cork on the faces but haven't got round to it.

Re: Pipe Clamps

Kirk (KC) Constable

>I have a bunch of Pony clamps, gathered over the years... and maybe 10 of the Rockler 'Bigfoot'. Any of this type I buy in the future will be the Rockler.

KC

Re: Pipe Clamps

Barry Irby

>I have probably four different types of pipe clamps and use both Galv. and black pipe.

I have read here on WC that much of the pipe you find today is made in China and may not be consistent in diameter or wall thickness. So if you buy the �wrong� pipe it may slip or bend. You might buy a piece and test it before you buy a bunch.

I have not had much trouble with the Galvanized stuff slipping, and I like it because it stains less or not at all, but I think the black works and grips slightly better and would buy that because it cheaper. (Clean it carefully when you buy it, its nasty.) My galvanized pipes are pretty chewed up and sometimes I have to file them to get some of the ridges off.

Buy the clamps with the little rings. The toothed lever or shoe is awful and will crush the pipe giving too much pressure.

Some of my Orange ones are very old. My newer orange ones have a �foot� on them that is not there on the older ones. This is a major improvement. Be sure the ones you buy have this feature. It allows the clamps to sit on a level surface and you can spin the handle. I use my newer ones on the bottom and the older ones on the top of the panel.

Re: Pipe Clamps

jared

>i have some from sears and some pony clamps of varying ages. the sears clamps are much lighter castings and dont seem to hold as well. i wouldnt buy any more of them but didnt know any bette at teh time. the ponys all work good and some are on black and some on galvanized pipe. Jared

Re: Pipe Clamps

Jerry Burns

>I have 30+ pony clamps most with black iron some with galve 3 with stainless steel all are threaded on both ends I use the black iorn most the ss was is a pain as the pipe lets the clamps slip too much

Re: A Corral Full of Ponys

Ernie Miller

>Beleave it or not HF has a good return pollicy if you break it they will replace it. at least in there stores. The people who run ours are real nice and helpfull. they have an internet computer set up in the store and if you do a search of there site or bring in a mail order catalog with the same item at a lower price they will match it. Alot of times the internet will have items on close out cheaper than the stores.