Hose Clamps

[mgriff543]

Does anyone make decent hose clamps any more? I'd actually like to get them half tight before they crumble or strip out.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

I had the same trouble on some critical applications and so started using this type ,

https://www.ebay.com.au/i/251197351322?chn=ps&dispItem=1

You do need to size them more accurately but I can confirm that they are strong enough to start crushing the pipe below if you're not careful .

 

[kcm.MN]

Yes, good ones are still out there - just gotta look for them. So far up here, that hasn't been so hard, and that's encouraging as my area is so limited in what they have for sale.

 

[TomR Ont]

Take a magnet with you to the plumbing dept. Check if it's all stainless.
Some are part stainless and ferrous metals. The ones for cars rust quick.

 

[2510Paul]

Great topic. I bought some at an outlet store that were junk. I didn't realize they could be so bad. Thanks to the responders for tips. I have been sticking to buying them from Ace, Farm-Fleet and Fleet-Farm. They seem OK. Paul

 

[caterpillar guy]

You can get ones that are good at Owosso Bolt and brass in Owosso MI. They will also have a stainless screw as well as the band. We have gone to them for use in well pipe situations so the screw doesn't rsut and let the plastic pipe leak. The number for them is 989-725-2131
We have also went to using the T bolt clamps Charles linked to with the stainless bolt so they don't rust. I use them on higher pressure locations like on hydraulic return hoes and such. Where there is 2-300 PSI on the line. Hold well.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Marine hardware stores usually carry quality all-stainless hose clamps. Cheap clamps don't last long in saltwater.

 

[D beatty]

I have had good results with stainless steel Gator hose clamps.

 

[kcm.MN]

(quoted from post at 17:46:07 07/25/17) Marine hardware stores usually carry quality all-stainless hose clamps. Cheap clamps don't last long in saltwater.

VERY good tip!! Thanks Mark!

As there are no such dealers in my area, I bet some of these places have a website for folks like me. That'd be the way to go if you wanna be sure the first time.

I just did a search using Mark's exact words, "marine hardware store", and lots of results came up. I clicked on the first result, but they wanted me to download their catalog to see what they had. Clicked on the 2nd link and BINGO, they had a search bar. Typed in "hose clamps" and got instant results.

Mark, I tip my hat to you.

 

[MarkB_MI]

KC, I hope those clamps work out for you. When they come in, check the screws with a magnet; cheap clamps will use a plain steel screw rather than stainless.

One outfit I've bought stuff from (but not hose clamps) is Jamestown Distributors. I see they carry two brands of clamps: The Murray brand is described as "300 series stainless". The very expensive Swedish-made AWAB clamps are "316 stainless steel with chrome-nickel plating".

I see that West Marine, a national chain, also carries both "300 series" and "316" stainless steel clamps.

 

[kcm.MN]

In our little area, there are NO bog-box stores!! Nearest ones are over 100 miles away!! But in our little area, there are still lots of farmers who need quality parts. Some places have changed and have brought this big city sort of mentality and reasoning to their stores, and CLAIM that they are offering the best in product and value. But it's the small stores here that still have people who know that quality parts are necessary. Fleet Supply is excellent here! ...Well, it was. Last time I was in there, I asked a woman there where such-and-such was, and she said she had been there for 3 years and never had anything like that - and very rudely as well! Well, if they haven't carried that in 3 years, how did I buy it there just a few months earlier? ...I haven't been back.

But yes, good parts are out there - just gotta look for them. And often you don't need a magnet. Often you can simply see the better quality in the parts.

 

[NoNewParts]

good thread.
Hard to believe they can mess up a hose clamp.
They are getting so bad, I am going to walk over to the screwdriver aisle and try em before leaving the store.
I'd say roughly half of the very small sizes...won't screw in or out at all brand new.

There still must be good ones out there. A mechanic good friend who recently passed from cancer used to sell me a handful of fuel line clamps whenever I'd stop in...good stuff...it was a running joke.."where'd you get these good ones?"....He'd reply...'trade secret'

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 05:27:11 07/26/17) good thread.
Hard to believe they can mess up a hose clamp.
They are getting so bad, I am going to walk over to the screwdriver aisle and try em before leaving the store.
I'd say roughly half of the very small sizes...won't screw in or out at all brand new.

There still must be good ones out there. A mechanic good friend who recently passed from cancer used to sell me a handful of fuel line clamps whenever I'd stop in...good stuff...it was a running joke.."where'd you get these good ones?"....He'd reply...'trade secret'

I bought several hose clamps at the local farm store. Ended up tossing every one of them into the trash and then dug through my coffee can of USED hose clamps to find what I needed.

 

[old-9]

I have seen these on some car shows on MAVTV. They look like they will work well and after you buy the tool , some SS wire and good to go. I see a lot of places they would work well, but not if you need to take hose off often line an inline fuel filter. click on " how it works" joe
hose clamp tool

 

[dr sportster]

THe ones Gardner-Wescott sell are made in Sweden -- all stainless -- better design.

 

[kcm.MN]

...Just remembered when I was shopping for hose clamps about a year ago, was in my local ACE store. Picked up a brand new clamp, looked at it and had to show the wife! We about died laughing in the store. This hose clamp had NO SLOTS for adjusting the thing - it was just a solid metal band!! You could see where the stamping machine sorta 'kissed' the metal, but never made more than a scuff mark showing where the slots were supposed to be!

I've had hose clamps that I went to tighten up on and the slots would break. A few swear words later, I would also go looking for old clamps to re-purpose. I actually took a clamp off of something that was perfectly good, but I never used. I replaced the clamp on the unused thing with a cheap one, but tagged it for later replacement. ....That was several years ago! :shock: :lol:

 

[Den N Ms]

Breeze Constant Torque are good ones,they work great for cold water leaks,have used them for several years.
Breeze Constant Torque

 

[mgriff543]

Thanks for all the ideas, those aussie t-bolt clamps look monster strong! That wire twister thingy looks to have a steep learning curve unless you use it daily. I had to order some electrical stuff from Del-City and bought some of theirs. They are Breeze brand, made in USA and solid stainless. I tested a SAE 12 on the head of a bolt and I couldn't break it with a 5/16" nut driver so it passed all my requirements.

 

[mgriff543]

Breeze Clamps an A.C. McGunnigle company. What a great name!!

 

[kcm.MN]

Yeah, I'm gonna have to "try" and keep those T-bolt clamps in mind. They look awesome! Even with older "Made in USA" hose clamps, there used to be times I'd over-torque and strip the band, which was always followed by some colorful language.