Pipe Clamp Pipes

frank81 · Post by **frank81** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:47 am

Forgive my ignorance but where did you get the clamps? I've got plenty of black iron piping, that stuff is really handy when you are doing things in the garage you shouldn't be doing. But I don't have plenty of clamps, especially long sturdy clamps. I could really use a set or two like you've made.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:55 am

frank81 wrote:Forgive my ignorance but where did you get the clamps? I've got plenty of black iron piping, that stuff is really handy when you are doing things in the garage you shouldn't be doing. But I don't have plenty of clamps, especially long sturdy clamps. I could really use a set or two like you've made.

I just bought 4 from here
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-pipe-clamp-with-base-94053.html

These are also available at the Big Box stores, Sears tool dept. search the interwebs for pipe clamps they are readily available. Pipe clamps are very durable, most of mine (except the 4 I just bought) are older than I am.

mountainbreeze · Post by **mountainbreeze** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:01 pm

BuckeyeDennis wrote:Wow indeed! I really need some more clamps, but have been vascillating between expensive bar clamps and cheaper, but more pedestrian pipe clamps. Pipe clamps are looking real good now. What's the citrus paint stripper that you used on the pipes?

The stuff I used is called Citristrip. I don't recall where I got it. Probably at Lowes or Home Depot.
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mountainbreeze · Post by **mountainbreeze** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:09 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:One thing no one mentioned is pipe clamps are heavy, very heavy compared to some other clamps avail.

This can be good and bad.

Good as heavy usually equals stable.

Bad as heavy to store, too many will pull most clamp storage systems down.
Bad as heavy to move a glued up project. If you have to move the project to make room for more clamping, pipe clamps can make this difficult if not impossible.

I had a ton of pipe clamps and they served me well but as I got more and more lighter clamps I used them less and less. Finally my Son in Law needed some clamps and I loaned him my pipe clamps. Being a young strong man he was, their weight never bothered him. I never asked for them back figuring I always knew where they were. I never had need for them again. Then he and my daughter parted ways and my pipe clamps are now gone.

I have thought about getting another few sets just to have them if and when I need them. The problem is now that if you get the really nice ones that allow you tighten them while the head is over your bench and have legs for stability their cost is high, add to that the cost of the pipe and you are very close to the price of a knock off of a good aluminum clamp, may be even an original.

I can't disagree with your points. What I like most about the pipe clamps is the ability to have a clamp of any length. More than once I have used a coupling and made a very long clamp.

Storage was a problem for me until yesterday. I was looking around in the garage for a place to store them. All of my wall space is taken so here is what I did. It's not real convenient but since their use is intermittent I don't mind getting them down when I need them.
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dgale · Post by **dgale** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:58 pm

I just went by an Estate Sale in my neighborhood earlier this morning and bough a set of pipe clamps ~4' long, as well as an older but stil new in the box set of craftsman clamps that will need some pipe...just thought it was funny given this recent discussion. I bought them, along with a really old version of the Black and Decker Workmate that's still in good working condition...it must be from the 60's or so, as I have one from the 70's that is the more typical design - the one I bought today (for $10) is definitely an early version.