Pipe for pipe clamps ?

[marcros]

For pipe clamps, look at dictum tools. Not sure if they are shipping to the UK still and when they will have stock but they have pony branded ones at 10€

 

[Noel]

Good value Marcos, although only 1/2" but still good at that money. Out of stock but due in, sometime.

https://www.dictum.com/en/i-beam-ba.../pony-pipe-clamp-fixture-set-inch-solo-708932
Ax used to do them along with a gold coloured steel pipe and connectors. The steel pipe is ok along short lengths.

 

[marcros]

They do the 3/4", I saw them after I posted.

Clamps for the hobbiest are difficult. It has made me look through tonight what is available which is when I saw these.

The performance and function of a parallel clamp is the same for hobbiest and pro. I could sacrifice some of the durability because I don't need them to last for years being used all day every day like a pro. The axminsters don't clamp with as much force and are only a small saving, so the choice really is only bessey.

 

[Noel]

I’m just mulling over what style to get really. I was thinking k body parallels, as I have 6 uniklamps but have problems with them sliding so was going to move up to the k body, but they are not cheap, so got me thinking about pipe clamps.
I read Axminster did a deal in may on their hd clamp, buy one get one free, missed that as that would have been ideal.

Ah, ok. I've a few Uniklamps and one or two stick but a good wire brushing sorts them out, usually a bit of glue in the serrations. Or sometimes a light sanding does the trick.
Some may recall Axminster having a typo in their K-Body pricing years ago, many here took advantage and Axminster honoured these orders before correcting the price. They were 20 quid or something a go for the 1m K-B models.

Thread here on pipe clamps and some pipe suppliers too: American style pipe clamps/ sash clamps.

 

[Noel]

They do the 3/4", I saw them after I posted.

Clamps for the hobbiest are difficult. It has made me look through tonight what is available which is when I saw these.

The performance and function of a parallel clamp is the same for hobbiest and pro. I could sacrifice some of the durability because I don't need them to last for years being used all day every day like a pro. The axminsters don't clamp with as much force and are only a small saving, so the choice really is only bessey.

And in stock too @ €12.90 a throw. Good value.

https://www.dictum.com/en/i-beam-ba.../pony-pipe-clamp-fixture-set-inch-solo-708931

 

[johnnyb]

pony jorgensen are really good balance between cost and performance

 

[sometimewoodworker]

I prefer galvanised pipe for pipe clamps. no rust risk with water based glues.

I have galvanised pipe, red oxide and black pipes. I dislike the galvanised as it’s not easy to get the spring loaded end to grip the pipes. This is not a problem with the other 2 kinds.

 

[Myfordman]

I have galvanised pipe, red oxide and black pipes. I dislike the galvanised as it’s not easy to get the spring loaded end to grip the pipes. This is not a problem with the other 2 kinds.

I use Power Press pipe clamps. They have both ends spring loaded so no need for threads. I've not had a problem with either galvanised or black pipe.

 

[monster]

I got 4 off 3.3m Lengths from this place linked below - Ended up buying the lights finished in red oxide, they had it in stock so ijsut took it away there and then. It seems they have sites all over the country.

I bought Bessey pipe clamp bodies from the US - got here in 3 days - couldn't believe it! and worked out at half the price of sourcing them in the UK.

https://www.bssindustrial.co.uk

 

[Spectric]

Hi all

What if any advantages are there in using pipe clamps compared to Bessey apart from being cheaper? Go back twenty plus years and black iron pipe was as common as white dog poo, then along came MDPE for gas.

 

[triker64]

Where would I be able to get the black pipe that is used for pipe clamps. I've tried plumb centre etc but but can't see it listed ?

Try the metal store cleckheaton

 

[cedricb]

looking at these, any good or just to avoid?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40273037...40c6882350424bb652fa|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2499334

 

[Inspector]

looking at these, any good or just to avoid?

I have 20 or so Pony pipe clamps that were made in the US in the olden days and they are good. They cost more 30 or 40 years ago as the ones you link. If they are as good as Pony I'd tell you to hop on them right away. However without having them in front of me to scrutinize and try I wouldn't touch them for any money. You just don't know if they are good or if they are pony poo. Clamps are generally one of those tools that you get what you pay for. The cheap ones don't hold/slip, have out of square faces, because of poor threads bind before getting tight and break. Unfortunately it is almost impossible to know from pictures and glowing praise by the seller. If you feel the return policy is good if they prove to be poor then take the chance. If you might be left holding the bag then pass and save up for good ones. They will last a lifetime.

Pete

 

[cedricb]

Hi,

I've just received 4 Pony Jorgensen clamps 3/4" but the head threads are NPT... I've purchased by mistake some galvanised pipes (from Specialists in industrial style from industrial pipes) but with the British standard (BSP) and obviously I can't screw the clamp head to the pipe!

I can't find any supplier in the UK which can thread the ends with NPT. What's my alternative? ;-)

 

[Myfordman]

From a spec point of view there is little difference between 3/4 BSPT and NPT.
Chat up a friendly old skool plumber and borrow a 3/4 BSP tap.

 

[cedricb]

From a spec point of view there is little difference between 3/4 BSPT and NPT.
Chat up a friendly old skool plumber and borrow a 3/4 BSP tap.

That's the problem where do you find an old friendly plumber?

 

[Inspector]

Search your eBay for 3/4" NPT pipe dies and you can find die sets for threading pipes then you can just get the pipe and thread them yourself. Nice to have shorter and longer pipe to suit the job at hand. These self align better than the one below.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173939234350?epid=22028095544&hash=item287f96162e:g:Eb8AAOSwxy5caBeY
Or threading dies like you would use for regular thread cutting. You'll have to track down a 55mm die handle though.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255068146816?hash=item3b633f0c80:g:fecAAOSwS9lg~nZ8
You'll need a good vice or pipe vice to hold it because it takes a fair bit of force to cut threads that big.

One more thing about the pipe. While galvanized pipe has an advantage of not turning the wood black where the pipe and glue come into contact the zinc is slippery and harder compared to plain black iron pipe so the clamps may not grip as well. Putting folded paper at glue joints prevents the black stains especially on oak.

 

[Myfordman]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23368482...LKnuiMXts1rVbGuUnuSn|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524£9.49

 

[rob1693]

I got these clamp heads of ebay worked out about £26 per 4 the pipes are steam pipe threaded 3/4 bsp, I got my pipes pretty cheap has I do electrical work for the company that did them for me they did them for cost of materials 4 x 5ft 4 x 3ft 4 x 2ft for £25 they work really well

 

[HOJ]

All my pipes are threaded both ends, I can couple them up infinitely, I also keep 4 @ 8' for bigger jobs.