UK alternative to pipe clamps?

[solexious]

Hey all,

Seems like all the US youtube wood workers use pipe clamps that they say are cheap and great. But I can't seem to find them in the UK (without importing them), are they sold and im missing them? Or is there an equivalent alternative? The closest I can see are sash clamps, but I wouldn't say they are cheap.

Cheers

Sol

 

[Inspector]

Bessey make pipe clamp heads. They must be sold there somewhere. Beware of the cheap ones. Many are not worth the time it takes to put them on a pipe.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bessey-PC3...6436&sprefix=Bessey+pipe+clamp,aps,277&sr=8-3
Your biggest issue will be finding the pipe and someone to thread them unless you want to get a die of your own.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/29453804...Pb3ZEHroPOrUyZjKWHhSFNIe3J|tkp:Bk9SR67kn-nOYQ
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28270970...KLJ515/T4IS6xXpFramVMmKLHjsK|tkp:BFBMwLLM6c5h
Hard to find a handle and a 3/4 die only.

Pete

 

[TheUnicorn]

Not sure of the whys and wherefores but I get the impression they are a commonplace and relatively affordable option in the states, but here you will pay over the odds for obscurity

 

[Orraloon]

I was going to suggest these that you attach to some wood.

That's until I saw what they cost now. About 3 times what I paid for these 12 years ago. That said may still be an option if you need really long clamps. Got me through a bed build when I could not find any clamps long enough.
Sash Clamp Heads | FaithfullTools.com
Amazon and all the other likely sources priced likewise or more.
Regards
John

 

[MikeJhn]

As Pete said getting the pipe is the problem, there is a seller on e-bay, but: Axminster Professional Cast Pipe Clamp. and be aware they are very heavy.

Edit: Industrial pipe threaded pipe for industrial style furniture

 

[Ttrees]

Maybe try sourcing some of the pipe, and perhaps by then, these might be available.
p.s I didn't see any of them for sale, and doubt someone bought them all on the day, so perhaps they never came in...which happens.

 

[ColinDeVelen]

I am lucky enough to get occasional trips to the US on business, so I pick up the clamp parts when I can. But I get all the 3/4" pipe at my local Obi (in the plumbing section, next to the plastic water pipe) in 1m and 2m standard lengths, already threaded at both ends, so I suspect you will be able to find the pipe in the UK too. DieterSchmid at finetools has pipe clamps, so you could probably get some from there.

 

[Adam W.]

3/4" pipe, which is threaded on one end, is very common on the mainland. All the big stores sell it in various cut lengths, which is probably why Bessey make them being German and all.

I got mine from ToolChimp, BTW. Here.

https://www.toolchimp.co.uk/bessey-...r&utm_medium=Doofinder&utm_campaign=Doofinder

 

[ChaiLatte]

As Pete said getting the pipe is the problem...

Edit: Industrial pipe threaded pipe for industrial style furniture

I would avoid any of the trendy industrial furniture people as their mark up is extraordinary.

JTM plumbing sell threaded pipe to your measurements.

----

B&Q sell pipe clamps.

https://www.diy.com/departments/4-p...ast-iron-neilsen-ct5412-/5055282054123_BQ.prd
Axminster ones will be from the same factory as the Neilsen ones above, but with a different paint job. "As low as" £24 for one clamp (when you buy 16 pieces). Genuine Bessey are less than that.

 

[Noel]

Pipe clamps are easy to get, especially the Pony Jorgensen brand which are good. Threaded pipe available too. EBay, Amazon etc.
Sometimes advertised as “Pipe Sash Clamps”.
Well worth getting some, much easier and better than traditional sash/bar clamps.

 

[TheUnicorn]

not sure if you are looking to get a job done now, or just looking at options, but you could always knock up some folding wedges and create a sash clamp that way

one video among many ...

 

[eribaMotters]

All I would say is persist in finding a source that you can afford. I swapped to them 15 years or so back after cheap T bar clamps, some expensive ones then Record/Marples 130 heads that go on timber bars.
I have 10 x Axminster own and picked up 10 x Pony from Tilgear when they were clearing stock. I would now not use anything else.

Colin

 

[Pedronicus]

Bessey make pipe clamp heads. They must be sold there somewhere. Beware of the cheap ones. Many are not worth the time it takes to put them on a pipe.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bessey-PC3...6436&sprefix=Bessey+pipe+clamp,aps,277&sr=8-3
Your biggest issue will be finding the pipe and someone to thread them unless you want to get a die of your own.

Hard to find a handle and a 3/4 die only.

Pete

I knew there was a good reason for not getting rid of my 'vintage' threading kit that I haven't used for decades!

 

[MintSauce]

Hey all,

Seems like all the US youtube wood workers use pipe clamps that they say are cheap and great. But I can't seem to find them in the UK (without importing them), are they sold and im missing them? Or is there an equivalent alternative? The closest I can see are sash clamps, but I wouldn't say they are cheap.

Cheers

Sol

Your profile doesn’t show your location but when I was looking into pipe clamps I found this pipe supplier mention in forums. Based in the West Midlands. The two main pipe diameter sizes look to be available along with coupler fittings where you could, for example, join pipes together to make an extra long clamp. Hope this helps.

https://pipedreamfittings.com/

 

[Spectric]

Any reason for pipe clamps, there are alternatives which are easily sourced. A length of pipe will have more flex than a heavy H section that is used on decent parallel clamps.

https://www.yandles.co.uk/bessey-pipe-clamp-heads-ends-clamping-set-bar-required-bpc/p26213
But they do work out at least half the cost of the Bessey K clamps .

These are another option but don't forget the cost of shipping and taxes, it roughly doubles the price.

https://www.fine-tools.com/pipeclamp.html

 

[recipio]

How long do you need them.? I started out buying cheap clamps but quickly realized that the thread quality on the Record 135 series is way superior to anything else. I would suggest you bite the bullet by buying some 36" or 48" clamps. If you need longer clamps then 3 foot extension bars are available . I have a lot of clamps including some Dakota bar clamps from Rutlands and they are all gathering dust. I finally hit on the Hatagane range of Japanese clamps carried by www.fine-tools.de and they are the bee's knees for box making and light joinery. Quality clamps cost ££ but the trick is to avoid buyer's remorse or you will end up with a lot of the cheapo cheapo stuff.

 

[Thingybob]

Bessey make pipe clamp heads. They must be sold there somewhere. Beware of the cheap ones. Many are not worth the time it takes to put them on a pipe.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bessey-PC3...6436&sprefix=Bessey+pipe+clamp,aps,277&sr=8-3
Your biggest issue will be finding the pipe and someone to thread them unless you want to get a die of your own.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/29453804...Pb3ZEHroPOrUyZjKWHhSFNIe3J|tkp:Bk9SR67kn-nOYQ
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28270970...KLJ515/T4IS6xXpFramVMmKLHjsK|tkp:BFBMwLLM6c5h
Hard to find a handle and a 3/4 die only.

Pete

Not a cheap clamp by any means unless you are making quite a few

 

[Inspector]

Unfortunately you guys get brutalized with taxes of all kinds. The Bessey clamps cost £16 here or a little less when not on sale. I would suggest the Jorgensen Pony Clamps but they were bought out a good number of years ago and I have no idea where they are made or if the quality remains. Half my pipe clamps are 40 years old and the other half about 30. I seem to have more clamp heads than pipes at the moment. Need to get scrounging again. I use K-body clamps too but when I need to glue something long the pipe clamps rule. I do have a pair of the Record clamp heads that fit a board but found the pipe clamps easier and quicker to use so I never bought more.

Like I said don't look for the cheapest pipe clamps as they sometimes have poor threads, that don't line up and bind and the clutch plates that grip the pipe may slip. None of which you want to deal with when in the middle of a glue up. If buying at least make sure you can easily return them if they have problems. Having some pipe ready before you buy will let you test them as soon as you get them so you can return them quickly.

Pete

 

[Speaker]

Hey all,

Seems like all the US youtube wood workers use pipe clamps that they say are cheap and great. But I can't seem to find them in the UK (without importing them), are they sold and im missing them? Or is there an equivalent alternative? The closest I can see are sash clamps, but I wouldn't say they are cheap.

Cheers

Sol

First hit on flea bay:
Pipe Clamps for sale | eBay

 

[clogs]

BSS or British Steam Services will have pipe up to 6m in length.....
they of course have recognised shorter lengths but will cut and thread pipe almost while u wait.......
Black painted pipe is the norm but for those that have plenty u can buy Stainless Steel as well......