Thread: Pipe clamps- the hunt and more

I bought my first set of pipe clamp heads from Bunnies. They were Prego's (sp). They were also crap. Just slip sliding away all the time.

Then I bought a couple of sets from Carba-tec. They work. Can't remember what I paid but they weren't dear.

Soundy I'd like to express a tentative interest in good quality yet cheap as chips pipe clamp fittings,
Go ahead see what you can find out

I bought a couple of sets of clutched pipe clamps from supercheap auto, about $13 each I think. Haven't sourced the pipe yet. It's in the pipeline I guess /groan.


Cheers...........Sean, pipe dreaming

One can never have too many clamps!
I have large and small but needed something medium sized for smaller jobs.

I found a box pair of Eagle brand which seem quite qood quality considering they were only $15 bucks. There very light so they don't tip your whole work piece over if you have them hanging out the side and they can do up to 15inch so they are an excellent medium sized clap for those tricky glue ups. They don't slip and have a unique quick release type ratchet thingy instead of messing around with locating pins.

Well anyway thats my suprised opinion about a quick purchase I made, I thought for $15 a pair they would be crap.

Got them from Flatmans (Home Timber & Hardware), last box left tho. I could take a pic of them if anyones interested in looking out for them, just let me know.

I am interested didnt think $15 was too bad from carbatec though? cosidering the price of Record or other sash cramps. Are the Bunnies Sash cramps any good?

I got 6 sets of sash clamps (made in India) from Bunnies on special last year.

They were 20 something dollars each, solid (bit heavy but I don't mind that)
The only problem I have with them is that the holes for the pins are at uneven spacings & some of them are too far apart & I have to use packing blocks.
They also differ from one to the other.
I can fix it by drilling new holes, but I haven't yet, I still use the packing blocks.

I got some of those too Cliff. I got mine from the local Home Hardaware. I hadn't noticed about the differing holes. MAybe the guy was/wasn't drunk when he made mine.

G'Day All,

I bought a set of "cheap" pipe clamps the ones made in China 15 odd years ago, the local hardware supplied the pipe at a reasonable price with thread at one end (off cuts from longer lengths). I cut one pair of pipes short and left the other four long, they are still going strong, and have used them for things that they where not meant for with no ill affects to them!....
savage(Eric)

I have had the same problem with the uneven spacing on the bunnies clamps too pain in the rear

Originally Posted by soundman

I have sourced the pipe threader kits and the supply of those is reasonably reliable.
In the threader kit you get a head and detachable handle and drop in dies for 1/2 bspt, 3/4 bspt and 1bspt. all in a plastic carry case for $65 pluss post.
They don't look bad, not as nice as rigid but soooooo much cheaper.
These are drop head type ratchet threader.

Soundman, have you a link to the threader kit? I know I'm not exactly local to your part of the world but might be able to source them here if I had further details.

Thanks

Noel

Thanks chaps for the replies.
$15 is quite reasonable for pipe clamp heads but I'll be seeing what I can do & not go broke.

I have a pair of the indian t bar sash clampe I baught years ago, yeh the holes are far too far apart & the screwing head ins a bit rough & weak.
I re drilled mine with twice as many holes and drilled and tapped the clamping foot to take a bolt, the pins fall out just when you don't want.
I had 'em so I fixed em. But I wouldn't buy again.

Sorry noel no link available, even if there was it probably wouldn't be much use. They are a generic item and unbranded.

I am on the track of some other clamps & stuff too, waiting for hard information at the moment.

cheers

Joe,

I'd also be interested in the clamp heads and the threader. I bought a set at last year's Brisbane wood show but haven't got around to sourcing the threaded pipe.

Cheers,
Keith

I've got Dawn & Record sash cramps, pipe cramps, the cheap Bunnies Indian jobs and the Dawn Heads and ends on some oregan shafts of varying lengths from 10' to 3'. They all have their uses. The pipe ones need a thump to seat the clutch/dog to stop them slipping and I always use packers to prevent marking and staining of timber.

I reckon cramps are like beer - some are better than others but they will do the job if you know how to use em

I bought some of the cheap Chinese pipe clamp heads but like others I found they slipped and one cracked under pressure. How about as an alternative using bar clamp heads (I bought mine from here, third item down). The heads are installed on a hardwood rail at whatever length you want. Works great.