Earth clamp died, modded a new one.

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Hey all,My Kemppi earth clamp died (lost spring tension, wire braid joining both jaws failed). I looked at the off the shelf replacements, but they were China junk. Thinner gauge steel pressings, hard corners and sharp edges. I have a few of these Vice grips so why not. I’m sure others have done same or similar. One thing is for sure, genuine Vicegrips are hard as F! Had to use a cobalt drill bit for the pilot hole. Attached Images
Reply:I've done the same minus the pivoting pads. Instead of drilling I welded a bolt on in the same place and used it as a stud for the cable lug.
Reply:Looks like that would do the trick.  You could always rap fine braided copper wire around the pad on the wire side for better conductivityLincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:Back in the day when I built my first weld rig I used a pair of vise grips for a stinger (rod holder) it wasnt pretty and my hands got beat up pretty bad and i probly would have got a hefty fine had a mine inspector seen it. You had to watch where you laid the stinger down. one day my wife says to me why dont you get a real stinger I know they have them. I told her I just didnt have time to get one. Christmas comes along a few weeks later and I had a new stinger for a Christmas present
Reply:Vice grip clamps work great. I had one for a long time. Run a jumper from one clamp to the other. If you get a poor ground in one side the jumper carries the current, not the vice grip. Vice grip always loses when that happens. Scorched mine when that happened. Oops!
Reply:Originally Posted by husq2100I looked at the off the shelf replacements, but they were China junk. Thinner gauge steel pressings, hard corners and sharp edges..
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarShelves at at hardware store, or shelves at a real welding shop?
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DActually the brass ones at harbor freight are pretty decent quality.
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarWell yes, but I don't think he has a HF in Australia.      What I was wondering is if none of the real welding shops had any decent quality clamps?
Reply:Good solution!I've done this and the vice grips ground before in times of need, though I too used c-clamps without pads (I figure the swivel to the feet would be the weak link current wise).The right size copper pipe can be flattened and folded over to make a contact point, I leave enough of a tab on the copper pipe to bolt ground cable directly to the copper.  If the copper pipe work hardens (copper does very easily) just heat to red and let air cool to anneal (soften).many times I will just clamp to vice grip or C-clamp jaws if I can't find a place for the spring loaded ground clamp.The advantage to a locking clamp rather than spring clamp type of ground include not falling off, and being able to clamp to larger material.  Not falling off is a huge one in certain cases (hammering, needle scaler, etc.).
Reply:The clamp has pads that move I would put a wire to both side clamp or take out the spring. I would remove the swivel pads. I purchase a clamp for welding about 40 years ago it bend on at lest 3 welder today it is on my  HF170. Dave Originally Posted by husq2100Hey all,My Kemppi earth clamp died (lost spring tension, wire braid joining both jaws failed). I looked at the off the shelf replacements, but they were China junk. Thinner gauge steel pressings, hard corners and sharp edges. I have a few of these Vice grips so why not. I’m sure others have done same or similar. One thing is for sure, genuine Vicegrips are hard as F! Had to use a cobalt drill bit for the pilot hole.
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarShelves at at hardware store, or shelves at a real welding shop?
Reply:Try the Auto part store Fast too. Originally Posted by husq2100Welding supplies.I’m sure I could have ordered in a branded clamp, but it would have been expensive and would have had to wait. So this cost me nothing but 10mins.
Reply:Originally Posted by smithdoorTry the Auto part store Fast too.
Reply:You got the vice grip for free? They are in the $25-$30 range here, and you can get a good quality ground/earth clamp for less money. https://www.vallen.ca/products/320-w...IEFHQzMwMA==-g
Reply:So funny everyone is a critic for doing something different. Considering I already had the vice grip (one of many) and it had already had its pads scorched and I didn’t have to leave my shed and it was in my hands no waiting time ….Oh and it also works as a clamp, imagine that Btw, not sure why it needs the extra earth strap etc, surely the circuit is complete even by running through the one jaw with the main cable attached…Btw, it ALWAYS seems like it’s hard for the Americans to understand price and availability is different the world over. But then again it’s hilarious seeing how many say support American jobs and products, are extremely anti Chinese and their way of life, yet love to tell you about the cracking deal they got on some HF or HD Chinese junk…
Reply:I'm all for using what's on hand when a trip to a store would interrupt a job or when the stores are closed.However, on a Sunday when the real welding shops are shut and given the opportunity, I would use the Bunnings Earth clamp at $12 compared to a Vice-Grip at $30. The Bossweld (Bunnings) clamp appears to be made with solid brass contact sections which are joined with braid and connect directly to the Earth lead.If I were busy and the job important, I would not hesitate to sacrifice even a genuine Vice-Grip.Jack Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by husq2100So funny everyone is a critic for doing something different. Considering I already had the vice grip (one of many) and it had already had its pads scorched and I didn’t have to leave my shed and it was in my hands no waiting time ….Oh and it also works as a clamp, imagine that Btw, not sure why it needs the extra earth strap etc, surely the circuit is complete even by running through the one jaw with the main cable attached…Btw, it ALWAYS seems like it’s hard for the Americans to understand price and availability is different the world over. But then again it’s hilarious seeing how many say support American jobs and products, are extremely anti Chinese and their way of life, yet love to tell you about the cracking deal they got on some HF or HD Chinese junk…
Reply:Originally Posted by husq2100So funny everyone is a critic for doing something different. Considering I already had the vice grip (one of many) and it had already had its pads scorched and I didn’t have to leave my shed and it was in my hands no waiting time ….Oh and it also works as a clamp, imagine that Btw, not sure why it needs the extra earth strap etc, surely the circuit is complete even by running through the one jaw with the main cable attached…Btw, it ALWAYS seems like it’s hard for the Americans to understand price and availability is different the world over. But then again it’s hilarious seeing how many say support American jobs and products, are extremely anti Chinese and their way of life, yet love to tell you about the cracking deal they got on some HF or HD Chinese junk…
Reply:I too think it's a good idea, I just found it hard to believe that a real welding supply store would not have quality clamps on the regular shelves.  I mean that's what they welding supply store is for, literally to have good welding supplies.  I'm not dogging your work, I'd have done the same and sacrificed something to make it work.  It's just the whole welding supply store thing that totally caught me off-guard.  1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack Ryan
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarWell yes, but I don't think he has a HF in Australia.      What I was wondering is if none of the real welding shops had any decent quality clamps?
Reply:I'm not knocking the execution of the idea, but those steel swivels will give you more resistance, and the lack of copper in the joints means even more resistance again. Not that much of a problem on stick or TIG, just use a couple more amps, but on MIG, this translates into poor arc starts, and dropped voltage/more spatter.I'm currently a fan of the solid brass clamps - better conductivity than steel, self cleaning, and no copper braid to chew up. It works well on my pulse MIG set, which is very hard on earth clamps - if it's not quite right, you just get a load of spatter, and it's even more obvious than it is on regular MIG.Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.
Reply:Originally Posted by husq2100Btw, not sure why it needs the extra earth strap etc, surely the circuit is complete even by running through the one jaw with the main cable attached
Reply:I have at times resorted to clamping a strip of sheet copper to a workpiece, then attaching the ground cable to that. Use any clamp you like, no need to modify it.Vice grips  have been around for a long time.  And one  of the  welders  best  friends.  So  many uses for  everyday  emergencies .   Looking them up on the web.   They were first  invented in  1915  But the  original plant was latermoved to  China.   I always  thought  Irwin  was the  original   But they are only a  branch of  B&D  and  dewalt. I  Have  just used the vice grips  to clamp  the bare end of the  ground  clamp to the  table  when the clamp fails.They also  work  well  for  clamping the  cable  to the  battery  terminal  when the  terminal  gets loose
Reply:based on your welder, i bet that visegrip get hot??? I have the Brass clamp from HF..Works like a champ!Welds last longer than Love...
Reply:I have a Tweco brass clamp that I got on ebay several years ago and have yet to use it on any of my machines.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by sapperbbased on your welder, i bet that visegrip get hot??? I have the Brass clamp from HF..Works like a champ!
Reply:Originally Posted by drizMe too.     I tossed the steel one on my HH 135  and grabbed a HF brass ground  clamp.   My only gripe is that it’s grip range is a bit small. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:When the cable between the jaws destroyed itself I braided a new one from some old jumper cables, it's heavier that the original cable & works well, the jaws are bolt in brass/bronze.IMPEACH BIDEN!NRA LIFE MEMBERUNITWELD 175 AMP 3 IN1 DCMIDSTATES 300 AMP AC MACHINEGOD HELP AMERICA!“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream".RONALD REAGAN
Reply:These are my preferred clamps these days. The old steel/copper ones give up after a while, the braid fails and melts everything else. This one looks OK but isn't repairable, I just replaced it today.The brass ones work well with pulse mig and I've been rattling through some structural steel for a building recently, so good torture test.Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.
Reply:The best ground clamps Ive ever used are the Lenco big brass or copper clamp types, Tweco makes one as well but its not quite as heavy as the Lenco clamp.  Thats me though I push things pretty hard at work and pretty much evrything Ive got is as heavy duty as I can get. Ive had this one Im usin now about 5 years or soI tried to load a picture of it here but it keeps comin up as an invalid fileLast edited by old miner called Pop; 4 Weeks Ago at 10:10 PM.
Reply:I can’t say for certain what I like best but these are all pretty good.Mostly Tweco and Lenco Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk:
Reply:Originally Posted by old miner called PopThe best ground clamps Ive ever used are the Lenco big brass or copper clamp types, Tweco makes one as well but its not quite as heavy as the Lenco clamp.  Thats me though I push things pretty hard at work and pretty much evrything Ive got is as heavy duty as I can get. Ive had this one Im usin now about 5 years or soI tried to load a picture of it here but it keeps comin up as an invalid file
Reply:I like the idea of the wide jaw opening and quick adjustment.I was going to do that with an old visegrip c clamp I havebut I was concerned about the jaw pivot heating upbecause of the small contact area of the pivot. Not sureif that would really be an issue or not.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:Those tweco brass clamps are sweet. The idea of keeping the spring at the back (and therefore furthest away from heat) is excellent.Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.
Reply:Originally Posted by MunkulThose tweco brass clamps are sweet. The idea of keeping the spring at the back (and therefore furthest away from heat) is excellent.
Reply:Originally Posted by N2 WeldingThey can be a bit stiffer to squeez too.  Oh that didn’t come out right.
Reply:Originally Posted by jpump5I like the idea of the wide jaw opening and quick adjustment.I was going to do that with an old visegrip c clamp I havebut I was concerned about the jaw pivot heating upbecause of the small contact area of the pivot. Not sureif that would really be an issue or not.
Reply:I use a  5" C clamp. Drill a hole in the clamp and attach your ground with a copper lug soldered to your cable lead. Never gets hot and never slips off. Also works good for orientating small parts for welding.ChrisAuction Addict
Reply:This is the clamp that came with my Fronius. I haven't used it yet but the weight and quality is incredible.  Without a doubt the nicest one I've seen. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk:
Reply:Fronius makes great stuff. No confusing it with Harbor Freight.  I have a Miller Maxstar 140 STR from about 2003 I think. It was made by Fronius for Miller. It’s an incredible little welderSent from my iPhone using TapatalkSteveMiller Dialarc 250 (1990)Miller Maxstar 140 STR (2003)Lincoln SA200 Redface Pipeliner (1966)Lincoln MP210 (2015)Victor and MECO torches
Reply:Has anyone mentioned the magnetic weld ground?I keep one next to the welder in case there is no easy spot to get the clamp on.I have about 6 feet of cable on mine, with a crimp on end holding the wires from frazzling,,Shouldn't this guy have his tungsten sticking out a little further??
Reply:Originally Posted by SweetMKHas anyone mentioned the magnetic weld ground?I keep one next to the welder in case there is no easy spot to get the clamp on.I have about 6 feet of cable on mine, with a crimp on end holding the wires from frazzling,,Shouldn't this guy have his tungsten sticking out a little further??
Reply:Here's an old abused one I have kicking around.....Just needs a clean up with an angle grinder and it's good to go. Either that or I have 1.75 pounds of scrap copper or bronze LOL Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk: