Quickie tube/pipe clamp

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Being new to welding, I don't yet have a multitude of assorted clamps.  The various clamps I do have don't do well to clamp tubes/pipes except vise grip pliers, and they don't have enough jaw opening.  The large vise grip "C" clamps have the swivel pads and they are horrible to use on a curved surface.  I'm sure the experienced welders on the forum have all made their own tools and clamp adaptations, but today I found myself in a quick need to clamp a 1" tube and no suitable clamp.  I posted this for any other newbies who might have the same problem.I found an old, cheap expendable clamp in the bin and sacrificed it for the purpose.  I took a piece of angle iron and ground the outside corner down so I had a suitable flat surface to spot weld onto.  I clamped the old clamp onto the angle iron and tacked two sides of the screw cup to the flat.  I tried to be careful not to weld into the ball-swivel joint at the cup and didn't tack underneath the cup for the same reason.  I then cut the clamp off short enough to not put lateral stress on the tacks...hopefully.  I hope it works out for light work with the most pressure coming to bear straight down on the flat ground.  The swivel cup works freely and got me out of a jam.  If this works, I might make some better ones out of bigger and better C-clamps.  I used a small 1/16" 6011 rod to get as much penetration on the tack welds without destroying the cup in the process. Attached Images
Reply:let us know how this works for you. I filed a pic as a mod for the future.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:http://www.stronghandtools.com/products/pliers/pgv.htmlThese are pretty good. What you have works as well depending on the job. Angle iron can be a good friend when fitting up smaller pipe/tube.
Reply:Originally Posted by sjmj1966http://www.stronghandtools.com/products/pliers/pgv.htmlThese are pretty good. What you have works as well depending on the job. Angle iron can be a good friend when fitting up smaller pipe/tube.
Reply:We do a lot of pipe fencing using sucker rod. These are mostly 7/8" diameter and 35 feet long.I made a similar mod to my clamps a few years ago and use them regularly on all kinds of round items. Had to do some welding to secure a water hydrant on the place the other day and used one there too. Best mod I ever made to a c clamp.Good luck with yours.Sign on East Texas payphone: Calls to God 40 cents......it's a local call...
Reply:Originally Posted by dumb as a stumplet us know how this works for you. I filed a pic as a mod for the future.
Reply:Originally Posted by StampederWe do a lot of pipe fencing using sucker rod. These are mostly 7/8" diameter and 35 feet long.I made a similar mod to my clamps a few years ago and use them regularly on all kinds of round items. Had to do some welding to secure a water hydrant on the place the other day and used one there too. Best mod I ever made to a c clamp.Good luck with yours.
Reply:Cool idea.  You do know that a whole bunch of us are gonna steal that idea, don't ya?(Retired) Professional firefighter, amateur everything else I try to do...Oh yeah:  Go Big Red!   (You know: one of the 12 members of the Big 10 cuz we left the 10 members of the Big 12...)
Reply:Originally Posted by strube1369Cool idea.  You do know that a whole bunch of us are gonna steal that idea, don't ya?
Reply:Great tip. I've got a few like that myself.I keep telling myself to get a couple of these but haven't yet.http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/NNSRIT...-SearchResultsBrian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:Originally Posted by app-ironworksllcGreat tip. I've got a few like that myself.I keep telling myself to get a couple of these but haven't yet.http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/NNSRIT...-SearchResults