Simple "wire clamp" tool.

Made this simple wire clamp tool today. Similar principle to the Klamptite etc, it creates a very tight wire clamp for hoses etc.

Although the open end of this 10mm ratchet is gone, the ratchet end could still be used and aside from 2 small holes in the hex/allen key it is essentially undamaged and fully functional. Works very well and only took about 15 minutes to make. I do need to source some more suitable wire though, all mine is too thick or too thin, recommendations appreciated. Total cost to make was 20p, the hex key was free with some tools I was given, the ratchet was 20p at a car boot sale. Only downside I can see vs the commercial tool is that my version requires probably an extra 6" of wire, that might be a problem if you are making dozens of wire clamps but this is a tool I expect to use just a handful of times per year and wire is cheap.

Attachment 46118
Attachment 46119

Can you show it in action?

VERY nice idea!
And, it's a flat-pack as well.
: - )

A couple thoughts I had:

By lightly welding a little nose (maybe 25mm long) on the outside end of the ratchet, and making that the wire-holding point (with the little 'saddle' for the wire), you could shorten the amount of wire needed.

And, by using a t-handle hex, you could get more leverage when twisting.


The wire one wants is high tensile but bendy. I've been trying to find some of the right stuff myself.
I wonder about fishing leader wire, bu that's rather small diameter and will slice the hose ratherr than clamping it, I fear.

Guys, Search on Amazon where else... lol! Safety Tie Wire. Stainless Steel and in a variety of dia. Perfect for each job.

And show that toll idea on this site. Good job guys!

Doug. D.C. Smithing

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rgsparber

Can you show it in action?

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Works the same as any other wire tie tool you will see on youtube.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CharlesWaugh

VERY nice idea!
And, it's a flat-pack as well.
: - )

A couple thoughts I had:

By lightly welding a little nose (maybe 25mm long) on the outside end of the ratchet, and making that the wire-holding point (with the little 'saddle' for the wire), you could shorten the amount of wire needed.

And, by using a t-handle hex, you could get more leverage when twisting.


The wire one wants is high tensile but bendy. I've been trying to find some of the right stuff myself.
I wonder about fishing leader wire, bu that's rather small diameter and will slice the hose ratherr than clamping it, I fear.

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Oh yes I see your idea. I don't unfortunately have access to a welder so I wouldn't be able to do that but it's a good idea if you have the facility to do so. I could of course just cut my ratchet down shorter (and if I use the tool a lot I may do that) but I figured I was happy to waste a few extra inches of wire for now and keep the ratchet longer, this way if it turns out I don't use the tool or make a better one I can do something else with the ratchet maybe.

I do have a T-handle hex key I could have used but it is a huge and rather unwieldy. I created enough force to easily snap my test wire with the current key so I am not sure if I need a t-handle type for general use, easy to pop a couple of holes in it and use if required later on of course. I also have a commercial handle that turns any hex key into a t-handle, I could try that as well.

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Thanks Rorschach! We've added your Wire Clamp Tool to our Fastening category,
as well as to your builder page: Rorschach's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-wire-clamp-tool-7"> <img src="/uploads/260303/homemade-wire-clamp-tool-7.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-wire-clamp-tool-7">Wire Clamp Tool</a> <span> by <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/builder/Rorschach">Rorschach</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/clamp'>clamp</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
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I've no idea on how this works?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fluffle-Valve

I've no idea on how this works?

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rgsparber asked the same question but the poster seems unwilling to tell us.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tonyfoale

rgsparber asked the same question but the poster seems unwilling to tell us.

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Allan Key and a spanner?

I'm sorry I assume everyone would be familiar with the Klamptite tool.

My tool works in exactly the same way as this video shows except the legs of the wire go through the two holes in the allen key and then you twist. The ratchet action keeps the tension on the wire.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ature=emb_logo

I was also puzzled initially; searching led me to the "Haywire Klamper", which is much closer to the design posted by Rorschach than the Klamptite. I found a build video of a tool nearly identical to Rorschach's, which also shows it in use. Difference in this one is he grinds a slot in the hex key to hold the wires, rather than two holes. Here is the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-USF2zoNV0

Good find flyfr8rs. This looks like an example of Multiple discovery.

Here's another style from that same builder. 2 holes, like Rorschach's, but one hole is in each tool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OE5ujS-BKw

That 2nd style from "PRISM" is a very nice improvement, and extremely simple to make - I like it!

Ahh well would you look at that! 3yr old video, I probably saw that and that's where I got the idea then. I watch so many tool videos.

I think the holes instead of the slot is a better design myself. Easier to drill 2 small holes than cut a neat slot and the holes don't affect use of the allen key if it was the only one you had in that size.

I have my doubts about the effectiveness of the single wire method though in the second video, what do others think?

Thank you for the video's. Very nice to put the two versions up for us too see. Great options to that now what moment when a clamp breaks or can you help me moments!
Thanks!

Doug @ D.C. Smithing

for clamping something soft like rubber hose, i would prefer that it have the extra turns, hopefully avoiding cutting through the hose.

great work, all. thanks!

Go to Tractor supply and get "electric fence wire."

Congratulations Rorschach - your Wire Clamp Tool is the Homemade Tool of the Week!

Simple wins it this week, with an assist by flyfr8rs for showing us down the rabbit hole of similar tools. I don't know if two holes in the hex key or a hole in each tool is best, but with two holes plus a slot in the hex key, and another hole in the wrench, you can test three methods side-by-side.

Some more good builds from this week:

Magnetic Edge Protectors by mklotz
Bender by daniels1186
Butterfly Winders by Philip Davies
Plywood Lifting Tool by orioncons36
Manometer by th62
Universal Wrench by Maisternia
Corner Clamp by Didpoolhall

Rorschach - we've added your tool entry to our All Homemade Tool of the Week winners post. And, you'll now notice the wrench-on-pedestal award in the awards showcase in your postbit, visible beneath your username:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...OfTheWeek4.pnghttps://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...eWeekIcon4.png

And, you'll be receiving a $100 cash prize, in your choice of Amazon (US-only), PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and prize payment choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

Nice work! :thumbsup:

Thank you so much, what an honour! :dance: