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        General >> Off Topic Subjects >> coil spring clamps
        
(Message started by: tonyboy on Oct 21^st, 2009, 8:16pm)

Title: coil spring clamps
Post by tonyboy on Oct 21^st, 2009, 8:16pm

Hello i went to a boot sale at the weekend and bought some coil spring clamps, don't really know what there for but i thought at only 50p they might come in handy one day. My sheds full of things that might come in handy one day, Can anyone shed any light what they are used for......... ???

Title: Re: coil spring clamps
Post by Snoopy on Oct 21^st, 2009, 8:20pm

They are for changing the coil springs , without them you cannot replace/refit thee springs , but be careful they can slip off best to use three from what I have been told http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/images/14%20spring%20compressors.jpg

Title: Re: coil spring clamps
Post by mick_66 on Oct 21^st, 2009, 9:08pm

[] totally having seen how fast they can move!!! and the damage they can Do.. :o

When i was a lad in the garage, a young mechanic hadn't compressed the spring properly and when laid the newly removed spring down on the floor, it took off like a polaris missile!! luckily it hit a brick wall and no-one was hurt,but what a dent it made in the wall though.

Extreme caution when handling springs is required..

Title: Re: coil spring clamps
Post by Jonnycab on Oct 22^nd, 2009, 1:28am

Personally, I wouldn't use an old pair of spring compressors (clamps) from a boot sale unless I knew they were good quality ones. All metal gets weak with age & the last thing you want is one of the clamps suddenly breaking under the strain.

Also, it's best to use three or even four clamps to compress a spring, so each clamp takes less of a load than if you only use two.....& if one should slip, then you've still got the others holding the spring :)

In Snoopys picture, the top one (with the socket on it) is a good quality one, because it has thick heavy duty claws which are usually angled to help grip the coil & prevent slippage....& a thick bolt shaft which is unlikely to bend ;)

Double claw clamps are quite good, as you can safely get away with just using the pair.....But again, it's worth buying a good strong pair :)

Title: Re: coil spring clamps
Post by Matt on Oct 22^nd, 2009, 3:19pm

you can get hydraulic versions to ;)

Title: Re: coil spring clamps
Post by tonyboy on Oct 22^nd, 2009, 5:01pm

The set i bought was still in the packet and i think they are the double claw set. It has a u channel with 2 u sections on it ??? i think i'll take a pic and post it on here. it also says on the packet that you can widen the springs. don't know what thats about ???
http://i36.tinypic.com/zswkm9.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/2dw926q.jpg

Title: Re: coil spring clamps
Post by Technology2005 on Oct 22^nd, 2009, 6:54pm

Hmmmm, those are definitely not for removing springs from struts! I believe they are for modding the ride height on a vehicle instead....

David

Title: Re: coil spring clamps
Post by PJDavis on Oct 22^nd, 2009, 9:20pm

I remember a day not so long ago, when a certain friend of mine was replacing a couple of springs on his Volvo. He had no spring compressors, but this didn't deter him! He took the front struts off the car, and just tied the springs as best as he could with parachute cord. He then unwound the top nut and took the old springs off. (the top nut still came off with a "bang") He then got a 6 metre length of 6inch by 2 inch wood, placed one end under the tow-bar of the Volvo, put the spring about the middle, and got his Dad to stand on the other end of the plank. He then tied the spring with more parachute cord making sure it was compressed enough to go back on the strut! Then he very carefully placed the spring over the strut and got the bolt on! He then cut the cord! He said it went in with a fair old 'clunk' He also said that he never knew his hands could shake so much whilst trying to get that top-nut back on! ;D

Title: Re: coil spring clamps
Post by tonyboy on Oct 22^nd, 2009, 9:28pm

Nice bit of improvisation... :)

Title: Re: coil spring clamps
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Oct 22^nd, 2009, 10:14pm

Mmmm....cost of parachute cord + 6 metre length of 6x2 greater than a pair of coil spring clamps I suspect :o

Title: Re: coil spring clamps
Post by tlundkvi on Oct 23^rd, 2009, 4:38am

What are they, 10 quid or so a pair? The ones I once bought look like these:

http://www.biltema.fi/osteri/data/webpics_all/Web%20images%20Sorted/19/large/19-256_l.jpg