Hose clamps are the saviors of do-it-yourself plumbing, as well as helpful tools to plumbers and handy people alike. Not sure what a hose clamp is? Here are four different kinds of clamps that could help you the next time you need to complete a DIY project.
Screw/Band Clamps
Also known as Worm Gear clamps, these clamps consist of a galvanized or stainless steel band into which a screw thread pattern has been cut or pressed. One end of the band has a captive screw, and when it’s tightened around the hose, the loose end is fed into a narrow space between the band and the captive screw. This creates what is called a worm drive, in which a screw effectively turns and tightens a gear. Screw clamps are typically used for hoses with a diameter of half an inch or greater.
Spring Clamps
Spring clamps are typically made from a strip of spring steel, cut so that one side has a narrow protrusion centered on the end. The other side consists of a pair of narrow protrusions or tabs, which are then bent outwards, and the strip is curled to form a ring. To use the clamp, the exposed tabs must be pressed towards each other to increase the diameter of the ring, then fitted onto the hose, and moved into position by expanding it again. These types of heavy duty hose clamps are typically used on automobile hoses.
Wire Clamps
A wire clamp consists of a heavy piece of wire, and can be turned into large hose clamps or small clamps. The wire is first bent into a tight U shape, then curled into a ring shape with one end overlapping the other. To use these types of hose clamps, a screw is tightened, which makes the overlapped ends of the wire push apart, tightening the wire around the hose.
Ear Clamps
Ear clamps consist of a band of stainless steel, into which “ears” or closing elements have been formed. The clamp is placed over the end of a hose, and when each ear has been closed, the band deforms and pulls tight around the hose, providing a strong 360 degree seal.
Clamps like these can be found almost anywhere, but before you start using them yourself, it’s best to have a professional teach you to avoid any accidents. For more information see this.
