Making some Tube Clamps for 10" Tube

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Hi allBuying a Tube clamp in the UK for 10 inch Pipe your looking at almost $350 + and i have a few Tubes that i need to weld up, but i need to align them and make sure they are true and level.  This got me thinking, surely someone must of made something and found that they could use it instead of paying silly money for a tool that they would probably only use the once.Any made anything similar?I'm looking at making something like this??Just thinking how to do the threaded bit on the end of the chain??Last edited by Gerry1964; 08-12-2014 at 01:04 PM.
Reply:What about putting a heavy piece of angle iron on top and bottom of the pipe and secure it with two long screw type hose clamps on each side of the weld area? Weld on the exposed areas and remove the clamps to complete the welding.  Or use minimal welds to the angle iron and grind them off when it's time to remove them to finish the weld.Just saw your last sentence below the pictures. Weld a long bolt to the last length of the chain to create the threaded bit you are wanting. Just insure the chain and bolt are thick enough to weld.Last edited by Bistineau; 08-12-2014 at 01:25 PM.
Reply:I would use like #60 roller chain with a length of threaded rod welded to the last link for tightening.
Reply:While not perfect I generally just use a piece of angle iron and vise grip chain clamps.  I had a friend who had worked up a fancy setup with a pair of clamps like that but he ended up taking it apart and using it with angle iron in the end.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Thanks guys for the ideas, I'm more inclined to use a piece of 4x 2 channel or even 6x3 and then using roller chains as opposed to normal chains, getting some great ideas so far, a guy on my forum told me about using ratchet straps but i'm a little worried about burning the straps whilst welding, so the idea is to definitely use a form of chain
Reply:For a 10" tube channel will work well.  Chain clamps could be attached to the channel and used but the truth is it gets cumbersome with two chains flopping around.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Can't you weld tabs on channel with holes in them, then bend threaded 1/4" into a u bolt and tighten.
Reply:For 10" standard pipe I use a 3' section of 5" channel with 2 Stronghand 12" C clamps. One clamp is loosely attached to the channel with a 3/8" bolt  (keeps the foot centered) the other is loose to throw on the pipe hanging from the crane, excavator, etc. seems to work for me.