Any ideas for a simple pipe/tubing clamp?

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I searched the forums for an answer to this but didn't really find what I'm looking for.As part of this 2-year welding program that I'm in I will be practicing on a lot of various dia. pipe joints. I do a lot of work on my own outside of class in my pole barn and I need to figure out some way to clamp small sections of pipe together for tacking. I know there are a lot of different pipe clamping systems out there but I'm trying to save a buck or two. Here's the criteria:It has to be able to clamp two sections (maybe 6" - 10" long) of various dia. pipe from 3" to 8" with a gap (obviously) while I tack it up. My ignorance of welding pipe/tubing is showing here but I really am not sure if I'm missing something obvious. Surely someone has a slick way of doing this and I would be grateful for any suggestions or pics. Or, if someone has a link to an inexpensive round stock clamping solution that would fit my application I'd be interested in that too. I've been thinking about the vise-grip/chain configuration and maybe welding up two of those onto a brace of some sort that I could put in my bench vise or something like that. But, I'm not sure that tool has a long enough chain for the larger pipe sections.Thanks.
Reply:Someone here posted up a neat clamp arangement for practicing smaller pipe awhile back. As I remember it, it was a length of angle iron to cradle and support the pipe and align the pieces and 2 clamps welded to the angle to secure the pipe. If it's only for tacks, a couple of cheap ratchet straps would probably work for larger pipe, you just have to watch them around sparks and such..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:A piece of angle iron is all you need really.
Reply:Yes, that makes perfect sense. The simplicity of it makes me feel pretty stupid right now. As usual, I was thinking about complex u-shaped clamps and things like that. Weld a piece of 1/4" plate to the corner of a piece of angle, clamp the plate in a vise and lay the two pieces of pipe in the angle for tacking. Brilliant! A spacer or two to and its ready.Now why didn't I think of that. Must be a rookie thing.Thanks guys.E
Reply:Or, you could go with 2 pieces of angle stock, and hose clamp them across the two pieces opposite each other if you don't have a vice available.Saw another easy to make jig on another site where the guy uses a piece of pipe cut in half long ways, and then cut out an area in the center to make a dog bone looking pattern. When clamped the cut away area serves as an opening over the joint to tack up the two work pieces. Simple, and effective.Lincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:Hello Welding_Swede, maybe something along these lines is what you are looking for:    Best regards, Allan Attached Imagesaevald
Reply:I like this idea - simple, sturdy, relatively inexpensive, handles a wide range of sizes, gives access to points 180 degrees apart even on small pipe..
Reply:I am going to build one!I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Why not just stack em' in 2G, tack em, and clamp em for burning....I get the "want" to do it all in a said position, but you did say easy....Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:For welding hand rail returns and whatever else, most ironworkers weld a peice of 1" or 3/4" (we use bridging) angle to a clamp like an Irwin 11R. The pieces can be as long or short as you like. One piece on each jaw of the clamp.  Can also be done with a C clamp. The other tools here are nice too. Woot.Last edited by tenpins; 03-25-2011 at 08:25 PM.Weldanpower 225 G7Ironworkers Local #24
Reply:those vicegrip chain  clamps can be double or tripled up to get around a larger piece of pipe....
Reply:Originally Posted by tenpinsFor welding hand rail returns and whatever else, most ironworkers weld a peice of 1" or 3/4" (we use bridging) angle to a clamp like an Irwin 11R. The pieces can be as long or short as you like. One piece on each jaw of the clamp.  Can also be done with a C clamp. The other tools here are nice too. Woot.
Reply:those vicegrip chain clamps can be double or tripled up to get around a larger piece of pipe...
Reply:Aevald Thanks for the idea . The pic hasbeen filed for future reference and possibly built one day as needed, But I do like the simple approach.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:Originally Posted by Welding_SwedeWeldbead, could you give a few details on this? I'm having a hard time visualizing the idea. Thanks.E
Reply:One picture is worth a thousand words...Thanks Weldbead, and everyone else. Got it figured out now.E
Reply:jewel clamp is  how pipefitters do it.. i see them  on craigslist for $100...
Reply:Weldbead do you tack the two pieces of angle together first than close the clamp on them centering them on the pads then weld and cut tacks holding angles together thats how i all ways make them and they dont have that problem.if they are misaligned a little bit they will tend to walk off the tube.i will all so tack a nut to the non swivel pad and a bolt to the bottom of one angle that allows the clamp to swivel allowing it to get in tighter positions.After the arc has died the weld remains