Clamptite

cgrab

cgrab

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Joined
May 2, 2014
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2,162
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Huntsville AL
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Display name:
cgrab
http://www.clamptitetools.net/

Has anyone used one of these?
I see they are on sale at Pilot Shop and thought it would be better to make my own clamps from safety wire as opposed to having to have a bunch of different sizes when I need one.
 
I have one. In general, it is a fiddly pain in the ass to use. I'd say it takes a good 3 to 5 minutes to install a clamp with it compared to 15-30 seconds for a hose clamp. It has occasional household uses, but here's no way would I use it as a general replacement for hose clamps, and absolutely not on flying hardware.

The reason I would not use it on anything critical is that the clamping pressure is very uneven. A standard hose clamp is wider, and distributes pressure pretty evenly across the width of the clamp. The Clamptite clamp is only as wide as the number of turns you make, times the diameter of the wire. Also, the tension in each wrap is not even. The outside wraps are under more tension than the inner ones, and it gets worse the more wraps you add. Because of this, the safety wire tends to cut into the hose.

I'd say that your money is better spend on a large stock of quality all-stainless hose clamps. I'm preferable to AWAB smooth-band clamps to protect the hose. If I don't have them around, Breeze Aero-seal are OK.

http://www.awabllc.com/

http://www.breezehoseclamps.com/breeze/aero-seal/
 
Never heard of it.
If I used that, it would cut through the hose. Too narrow a clamping surface. Might use it on a lawn mower but not an airplane.

 
cgrab said:
http://www.clamptitetools.net/

Has anyone used one of these?
I see they are on sale at Pilot Shop and thought it would be better to make my own clamps from safety wire as opposed to having to have a bunch of different sizes when I need one.
Click to expand...

I've got one. Used it quite a bit during the engine install. Mostly for fire sleeve (I got tired of buying the band clamps). The only liquid line I've used it on was a water drain.

It's a little fiddly, but once you get the hang of it, you can can get things clamped pretty quick.
 
slacktide said:
I have one. In general, it is a fiddly pain in the ass to use. I'd say it takes a good 3 to 5 minutes to install a clamp with it compared to 15-30 seconds for a hose clamp. It has occasional household uses, but here's no way would I use it as a general replacement for hose clamps, and absolutely not on flying hardware.
Click to expand...

That's my assessment of the tool as well. An additional observation I've made is that it seems like there is never enough room to use the tool correctly where I want to use it.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Don, has any of it cut through the firesleeve?
Click to expand...
Nope.

slacktide said:
On an experimental, I'd even have no qualms using the ones from either Horrible Freight, or Homer's.
Click to expand...
I like the clamptight for firesleeve. I find it easier and I don't have to keep the metal bands around. If you want, I'll sell you my band clamp tool. It been sitting in the drawer for over two years.
 
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