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Sheet metal clamps

Started by _nzstato_ , Aug 24 2010 06:36 AM

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6 replies to this topic

#1 _nzstato_

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Posted 24 August 2010 - 06:36 AM

I've been wanting a set of these for a while but wasn't going to shell out $70 for a set of 4 (what a bloody rip off), so last night I decided to start making a set of my own...

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I took a section of 35mm RHS, drilled a hole in the top and took a slice out of the bottom with a hacksaw blade. Cut a 5/16 bolt to length. Took a small piece of 0.8mm panel steel (I later ground down a section of it to roughly 0.6 to set the panel gaps) and cut a slot it in, and finally a small offcut of alluminium for the 'tail piece'

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I welding the small piece of panel steel to the nut and this is what I got...

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All that for a few pieces of scrap and a bit of time. Then I thought about taking it another step forward, why not integrate it with a 'heat sink' on the back side of the panel to make welding thin sheets (0.8mm panel steel can be a bitch) easier. I took a bigger offcut of alluminium, notched it out and now we have this...

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And now for the test...

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Easy, simple and it works....

Edited by nzstato, 24 August 2010 - 06:36 AM.

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#2 dirtbag

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Posted 24 August 2010 - 09:29 AM

Nice job. I have some of those clamps too, but to be honest I hardly ever use them. The places that I'd use them are usually places where you can't get your hand in behind to put the square rod in.
I did use them when putting new lower quarters on the bonneville, but even then they were a bit of a pain to get out after tacking it together.

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Have fun with them though :spoton:

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#3 _nzstato_

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Posted 24 August 2010 - 10:00 AM

I too was wondering how much I would use them (thought they would come in handy for repairing lower door skins and guards) hence another reason not to spend $70 on a set. Also thought that I could make some small tail pieces out of 2.5mm alluminium and bend them to a radius, this should allow for joining curved regions. Still there will be times when you cant get to the back of the panel....

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#4 dirtbag

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Name:Tim
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Car:1995 V8 2wd hilux, LH torana ute, 1970 Volksrod, MK1 2 door escort, CJ6 Jeep, VX commodore wagon.
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Posted 25 August 2010 - 07:25 AM

Yeah, plus it's always fun making new things anyway : )

I didn't realise they were normally that dear. I got mine (set of 8) for $10 on ebay. Gotta love the unpopular auctions : )

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#5 _gtr161s_

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Posted 25 August 2010 - 07:53 AM

I buy a fair bit of tools etc from " the eastwood company" in the states. When the dollar is good , by the time you add freight and conversion, it's still cheaper than buying anything here

http://www.eastwood....s-set-of-4.html

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#6 _nzstato_

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Posted 25 August 2010 - 07:07 PM

To be honest it was another good excuse to go play in the shed :rockon:

. I thought $20 should be a fairer price for them, but its economy of scale, NZ is a small country and stuff like this gets inflated in price when it needs to be imported. Cheers for that, I think when it comes time to deck the shed out in a heap of metal work gear (shrinker/stretcher) I'll just buy a heap from the states to save on the postage. Had another go at them last night, got 4 now....

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