Cleco and Edge grip clamps

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here is a small video that i made on clecos on how they work and what you can use them for. I always get alot of question on them when I show a project so I thought this could be useful to some people. hope you like it Last edited by wd40prerunner; 12-11-2011 at 09:45 AM.SIN CITY METAL WORKSvisit my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/devvon
Reply:I have used clecos alot back when I worked in an aircraft shop.They are a very handy tool, esp when doing alot of riviting.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Thanks for that. I had a vague idea how they worked, nice to see it in action.LibertarianLincoln AC/DC 225Everlast PowerPlasma 70 Hobart IronmanEverlast PowerTig 200DX
Reply:good job buddy, thks for taking the time to show folks this stuff.bobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welder
Reply:Oh Yeah, CLECOs  What would we do without em?  BTW, not to be the speech cop, but the name is CLEE-CO, registered trademark of the Cleveland Tool Company and original patent holder on the through hole temporary rivet.  Over the decades I have acquired a few hundred of the things and to quote Ron Fournier "CLECOs are like peanuts, you can never have enough."One of the biggest problems with CLECOs is keeping them corralled and in a readily available position for use.  I made these stands several years ago from scraps of skin material I had laying around the hangar.  Each step holds a different size (silver body are 3/32", copper = 1/8", gold = 3/16") and the lip stores edge claps.  A pair of cleco pliers is stored in the cavity so they are always handy.A few of the different flavors of clecos available,(left to right) 3/32" standard grip (silver body), 1/8" standard grip (copper body), 3/16" standard grip (gold body), 1/8" extended grip, 1/8" long extended grip, long nose edge clamp, short nose edge clamp, and an extended reach edge clamp at the bottom.A quick word of caution!!  When using CLECOs for welding purposes is is wise to keep your tack welds at least 1" from the CLECO.  Heating the spring will soften it and render the clamp useless.  Once you have the panel tacked in, remove the CLECOs and weld as normal.In the next post I will show you how to use a standard CLECO to hold an edge panel seam (butt seam).RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:OK, we all know Cleco's are great for holding lapped joints together, BUT what to do when you have to but a repair panel up and it is too deep for your longest reach vise grips?Start by making an alignment mark on the panel and patch,Use a small file or other removal tool to cut a recess half the diameter of your desired CLECO,Using a couple of suitable washers or homemade backing plates you can grip the edge of the patch and the panel to hold alignment for tacking.Front.Back.After the tack welds are in place it is no problem to weld the holes closed.  This process also works well on fiberglass or composite skin structures when bonding.For this post I was using 3/16" Clecos and -3 large diameter aircraft washers because that is what fell to hand while taking these pics.  You can use any size Cleco you want and if you can't readily find a washer size that meets your need you can make some square of material and drill as needed.Just a few of the tricks you can do with CLECOsRogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:I got mine from Aircraft Spruce or one of the other aircraft catalogs I think, years ago. Probably a lot cheaper than going thru Eastwood's or probably McMaster Carr. I don't use them much, but when you do they are almost indispensable.Good trick Roger. That's a new one for me..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI got mine from Aircraft Spruce or one of the other aircraft catalogs I think, years ago. Probably a lot cheaper than going thru Eastwood's or probably McMaster Carr. I don't use them much, but when you do they are almost indispensable.Good trick Roger. That's a new one for me.