Pipe clamp score

[greenacres2]

Until today i had no pipe clamps. Woodcraft has the 3/4 Bessey H clamps at 10.99 each, but with no iron pipe around and none on Craigslist, it was looking expensive. Thanks to Tommyt654 introducing me to an industrial auction service several months ago every now and then something close comes up. Well, about 3 hours from here an auction with about 45 lots came up, including a lot of pipe clamps with no bidders. I was in at $25 until the last few hours--ended up at $152.00 for a pallet of clamps.

Tough time of year for me to take most of a day off work to make the pick-up, but the son of one of my co-workers goes to a small college in the little town the auction was in--lives less than 2 miles from the site. Picked them up for me, put them in my garage on his way to his parents' house!!

15 3/4" pipe clamps, 1 1/2" pipe clamp (all Pony), 6 bar clamps (at least 3 long enough to do doors. 3 other smaller clamps. All in good appearance and excellent working condition except for the deep Bessey bar which won't open--seems like the fixture is too close to itself to release from the bar. Any thoughts??

Not shiny new, but at an average of $7 each--i'm happy with it.

earl

[cabinetman]

That is a great score. That one problem clamp you may have to start the release and tap with a hammer at the same time.

.

[Pappy]

YOU SUCK!

I agree, great score. The pipe clamps all look to be Pony. Bar clamps are heavy but won't flex under any pressure.

C -Man is right. The problem clamp is going to take some playing with. Mount it verticle in a vise and tap with a mallet to try to get it to move a little.

[chopnhack]

Good job Earl! That is an excellent price for that much iron!

[greenacres2]

Thanks Pappy--i'll take that as a compliment!!

Advise appreciated on the Bessey--i'll tinker over the weekend.

While i waited a week and a half for free delivery, i kind of figured i'd sell about half to recover my cost. Just went out and looked at them again--i may not sell any. Two or three of the Pony's are missing the rivet pin to keep the fixed jaw attached to the screw. That seems easy enough to fix by peening a new rivet in. In the meantime--i've got plenty enough to glue up all 4 sides of the toy chest i'm working on at the same time. I was going to do a side a day. Sweet.

earl

[eezlock]

pipe clamp source

Good score on the clamps Earl! The blue & aluminum bar clamp appears to be from HF. I have 4 of theirs like that,they are red and extendable
(length wise) and use them more than about any others I have
and never any problems with them.I know some people criticize Hf clamps,
but they do ok, if you don't try and over torque them.

[tommyt654]

Well your having better luck than me, lately I haven't been able to get a bid in and win, nice score Earl, where's my commission check

[greenacres2]

Well your having better luck than me, lately I haven't been able to get a bid in and win, nice score Earl, where's my commission check

I'll send it to you Tommy!! I'll just need a little information...address, DOB, SSN, etc. Post it on the forum as i don't normally check my PM's and e-mail.

I didn't take a close look at the blue/aluminum clamp last night but at a glance it's not as robust as the rest. I need to find some wall space now!!

earl

[woodturner]

All in good appearance and excellent working condition except for the deep Bessey bar which won't open--seems like the fixture is too close to itself to release from the bar. Any thoughts??

The Bessey clamps "lock" by pivoting the head slightly against the bar. Make sure the screw is fully retracted, it may just be placing enough pressure to keep the head locked to the bar.

Are there any signs of corrosion on the bar where it meets the head? If so, apply a little Kroil, Break-Free, PBBlaster, or similar solvent and let it sit a bit, in case corrosion is locking the bar.

Apply a little light oil to the head/bar joint for lubrication, in case it's just sticking.

If none of that works, LIGHTLY tap the head of the clamp from the side with the screw handle with a brass hammer. What we are trying to do is to force the clamp jaw to tilt forward, toward the face of the other jaw, so that it will release the lock. Don't actually tap on the screw handle, as that can damage the threads. I usually tap just above where the screw passes through the head.

If that still doesn't work, the last resorts are to disassembly the clamp or to use another clamp to push out on the jaw where it meets the bar. If you apply enough pressure, the lock will release, but if it's really, really stuck it might break the clamp first.