Happy Holidays WeldingTipsandTricks community!
As the new year approaches, and my body reminds me I'm not getting younger, I wanted to open discussion about clamping system ideas for thin (~16 gauge / ~2mm) tacked-together-tube consisting of irregular curves / angles (like exhaust headers, etc). When I weld custom stainless steel exhaust systems (including headers, etc), I lose a lot of time and energy trying to re-position clamps (& magnets) for the tubing (Because it's not straight tube).
Has anyone tried using 2 flexible arm clamps that are strong enough to hold the weight of a welding hand resting on the tube, but not so strong that it prevents one to move and quickly turn the tube to continue the weld bead?
In my mind I was picturing those stainless steel flexible extenders used to hold microphones in any positions on mic stands. Sharing your ideas here would be very helpful and FUN!
Tig welding tips, questions, equipment, applications, instructions, techniques, tig welding machines, troubleshooting tig welding process
- Otto Nobedder
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Weldmonger
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Joined:Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:40 pm
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Location:Near New Orleans
I do a lot of irregular fits on light-gauge SS pipe & tube.
Here's a tool designed for the job that may give you some ideas:
http://www.pipe-ltd.com/Products/PipeWo ... Range.aspx
I usually just improvise. I've got 11R Vise-Grip clamps w/ swivel feet I've welded 1" SS angle to. I've ground the centers of the legs back, so each angle functions like four fingers.
When space is tight, I use SS hose clamps, with bits of aluminum cut from cans as bridging.
I'm trying to visualize what you've described. There are times a simple gravity clamp would serve me well.
Steve S
Here's a tool designed for the job that may give you some ideas:
http://www.pipe-ltd.com/Products/PipeWo ... Range.aspx
I usually just improvise. I've got 11R Vise-Grip clamps w/ swivel feet I've welded 1" SS angle to. I've ground the centers of the legs back, so each angle functions like four fingers.
When space is tight, I use SS hose clamps, with bits of aluminum cut from cans as bridging.
I'm trying to visualize what you've described. There are times a simple gravity clamp would serve me well.
Steve S
West Baden Iron
- West Baden Iron
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Active Member
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Joined:Wed Nov 28, 2012 6:40 am
This isn't flexible but it does the same type of thing. You can buy these, but being a fabricator it seems easier just to make and you can make it fit what you need.
Hopefully it is ok to post a link to another welding forum.
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=48154
This isn't my thread on weldingweb but I'm in the process of making some of these. I'm modifying the bolt to tighten the joints with a t-handle to make adjustments quick and dirty. I'll post pictures when I get a little further along. I have about 10 projects I'm trying to complete that all make no money so it's hard to find time to complete them.
Thanks,
Jason
Hopefully it is ok to post a link to another welding forum.
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=48154
This isn't my thread on weldingweb but I'm in the process of making some of these. I'm modifying the bolt to tighten the joints with a t-handle to make adjustments quick and dirty. I'll post pictures when I get a little further along. I have about 10 projects I'm trying to complete that all make no money so it's hard to find time to complete them.
Thanks,
Jason
Lincoln Square Wave 175 Tig/Stick Miller Spectrum 375 Plasma
delraydella
- delraydella
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Weldmonger
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Joined:Mon Apr 25, 2011 7:35 pm
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Location:Detroit, MI
West Baden/ Jason
I like those clamps, i might have to make some myself. Your plan to use a T-handle bolt is a good improvement. I can just picture the whole thing falling apart while you reach for a just out of reach wrench to tighten everything down. A cap head bolt could work here, too. There is enough of a knurl on the cap to give enough grip to finger tighten it for any minor adjustments.
I might try to make at least one of the rods be a telescopic one for a length adjustment,too.........
Other Steve
I like those clamps, i might have to make some myself. Your plan to use a T-handle bolt is a good improvement. I can just picture the whole thing falling apart while you reach for a just out of reach wrench to tighten everything down. A cap head bolt could work here, too. There is enough of a knurl on the cap to give enough grip to finger tighten it for any minor adjustments.
I might try to make at least one of the rods be a telescopic one for a length adjustment,too.........
Other Steve
Welding☞Syncrowave 250,Millermatic 252,30a Spoolgun Cutting☞12" Hi-speed Cutoff Saw, 9x 12 Horizontal Bandsaw Milling☞Gorton 8d Vertical Mill Turning☞Monarch EE Precision Lathe Grinding ☞Brown & Sharpe #5 Surface Grinder
Landyman
- Landyman
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Joined:Tue Dec 18, 2012 7:44 pm
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Location:Bromsgrove, England
What diameter pipe are you talking about?
Could you not use a big pair of 'mole' grips, or 'vice' grips, i don't know what they call them where you are, and clamp a spring loaded earth clamp to the handle?
Just make sure you get the ones with a curved jaw and not the straight ones.
This is what i mean
http://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/image ... =yfp-t-107
Could you not use a big pair of 'mole' grips, or 'vice' grips, i don't know what they call them where you are, and clamp a spring loaded earth clamp to the handle?
Just make sure you get the ones with a curved jaw and not the straight ones.
This is what i mean
http://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/image ... =yfp-t-107
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