Erf Clamp

[northwest]

So, the script is, I have a couple of really decent earth clamps, you know, clip on with big chunks of copper in the jaws.

Snag is, I have lost quite a bit of strength in my hand after an injury and coupled with arthritis I sometimes struggle so I would like to buy a screw clamp earth. I know they are not as convenient and fast to change but I need to recognise, the clamp type cant be as fast to change either when I am struggling with it so does anyone have any suggestions on brand, pitfalls or any other advice to offer?

 

[gordon stephenson]

I have a chunky solid brass screw on type, Upto 600 amps I think,

 

[northwest]

I have a chunky solid brass screw on type, Upto 600 amps I think,

yes, this is the sort of thing I am thinking of. Any particular style or brand?

 

[gordon stephenson]

Just search Google images and take your Pick, Forsters do a nice one Around £10-00

 

[Woody.v8]

I was expecting a thread on trucks

 

[northwest]

I was expecting a thread on trucks

Right now, life is just full of little disappointments.

:-)

 

[Brad93]

Tweco best you can buy

 

[Brad93]

The sub £40 brass clamps are crap monkey brass. The Twecos I suspect are actually cast bronze

 

[Kram]

What about the switched magnetic clamps? Should be fast and not stress the hand much, assuming its steel your working on.

 

[hotponyshoes]

The tweco type on the left is handy with the sliding tee bar, the esab on the right has a decent handle for using with mig gloves on as well.
Both are pretty indestructible

The only issue with them is the weight, those are both 600a types and if fitted with a cable to match they are heavy.

One way to make life easier is to only fit them with a short length of cable and put a dinse plug on the end. That way you don't have to deal with the weight of a length of cable while trying to attach it. Once clamped down just connect the plug to an extension lead.
You can also make up a few styles of earth clamp that way (screw/spring/hook/magnet/etc) without spending a fortune on cable.

 

[GrahamGKD]

I use one of these - mine is a genuine Myking rather than one of the many copies.

 

[Brad93]

I’ve not seen A tweco one like that @hotponyshoes.

Ive had that type before and don’t rate them. That does look a bit better quality though.

 

[Brad93]

I use one of these - mine is a genuine Myking rather than one of the many copies.

That’s the exact one I’ve had and I would’nt recommend them to @northwest if he has arthritis. They tend to get stuck requiring quite some force to undo.

The Tweco or Weldline or Magswitch (they’re all magswitch rebranded, Shop about sometimes they’re cheaper under the Weldline guise) magnetic earths are very good I’ve got a small 200a, but obviously only any good for steel. The 600A one is massive but still only requires gentle force to switch on and off.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I’ve not seen A tweco one like that @hotponyshoes.

Ive had that type before and don’t rate them. That does look a bit better quality though.

It might not be a tweco. I will have another look at it in a bit...
It is well made, does not seem to bind up at all.
It would probably not take much splatter to stop the rod sliding through but I have never had a problem yet

 

[Brad93]

I quite fancy casting one. I’ve got the material and the smelting gear but not the gear for casting.

 

[hotponyshoes]

What gear do you need?
Bit of sand, couple of boxes/buckets/ice cream tubs and pour away...

At worst, you just melt it down and try again

 

[hotponyshoes]

I keep meaning to modify one to have a dinse plug sticking directly out of it.
I was planning to use the bits from a panel mount dinse plug but if you are going to cast them you could just do it with the post cast in.

Then you could attach it and just twist a lead onto it. Would be handy if you wanted to flip a workpiece over or move it as the clamp itself could stay attached

 

[Brad93]

Beryllium Copper should make a good earth clamp.

 

[GrahamGKD]

That’s the exact one I’ve had and I would’nt recommend them to @northwest if he has arthritis. They tend to get stuck requiring quite some force to undo.

Don't recall having that problem - havent used it for a little while though as I tend to go for the spring type for lighter work. I've also got my vice earthed and a piece of plate I weld on if not in the vice.

 

[Jim Davey]

We use the genuine Myking and the economy copy version. If you grease up the threads with copper slip they stay in good working order really well.
avoid the steel 600 amp camps they just seem to overheat and cook cables due to the high resistance of steel