Hatred

tuna55 wrote: ok, I give up - nobody will acknowledge it.

Because it's not true.

Ranger50 wrote: Also most of the clamps supplied to the OEM's are already "spread" with a clip holding the tabs together. So, with just a quick action of the wrist, the clip is gone and the hose is tight. As much as I hate them, they are handier then E36 M3 to have, even if they are in the wrong place and angle. About the only turnable clamp that is similar is the T-post clamp. Those things ain't cheap either.....

I couldn't find the correct pictures, but the best clamp we've found short of a spring clamps like the clamp below, but with edges that flare up so they can't dig into the hose. We used these when I worked for Volvo Truck, but only when the customer requested them, because they are very expensive and no better than spring clamps.

Really? We're really going to get into an argument about the merits of different styles of hose clamps? That's it, we're all officially Dorks, whether your post count says so or not. If you have a strong opinion either way on the screw-type vs. springy type of hose clamp, you're probably a huge geek

Which makes me a huge geek, because I hate those berkeleying springy types. I always replace them whenever I take one off. Too much trouble. The tool used to tighten them says it all: $5 screwdriver that's in every person's toolbox, or a $35 specialty tool sold only online and in very few stores. Yea.

Twin_Cam wrote: Really? We're really going to get into an argument about the merits of different styles of hose clamps? That's it, we're all officially Dorks, whether your post count says so or not. If you have a strong opinion either way on the screw-type vs. springy type of hose clamp, you're probably a huge geek Which makes me a huge geek, because I hate those berkeleying springy types. I always replace them whenever I take one off. Too much trouble. The tool used to tighten them says it all: $5 screwdriver that's in every person's toolbox, or a $35 specialty tool sold only online and in very few stores. Yea.

I'd have to destroy 7 hoses with worm gear clamps before that tool would be worthwhile.

So far in my life, i've destroyed..... None.

Twin_Cam wrote: I always replace them whenever I take one off. Too much trouble.

That's cool. Hose manufacturer's kids gotta eat too.

have you priced molded hoses for some cars recently? Some cost more than that damn tool.

I use worm gears after I end up losing the spring type one.. normally dont hate them but there is one in a weird location on my jeep.. pretty sure its now a worm gear.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

Twin_Cam wrote: Really? We're really going to get into an argument about the merits of different styles of hose clamps? That's it, we're all officially Dorks, whether your post count says so or not. If you have a strong opinion either way on the screw-type vs. springy type of hose clamp, you're probably a huge geek Which makes me a huge geek, because I hate those berkeleying springy types. I always replace them whenever I take one off. Too much trouble. The tool used to tighten them says it all: $5 screwdriver that's in every person's toolbox, or a $35 specialty tool sold only online and in very few stores. Yea.

I'd have to destroy 7 hoses with worm gear clamps before that tool would be worthwhile. So far in my life, i've destroyed..... None.

Exactly...

I'm puzzled about what it is that you guys think is so much trouble with installing spring clamps. You don't need that tool. I have one that cost about 5 bucks and does the job perfectly. I've also used channel locks, but that can get dicey. But in any case I'd much rather deal with that than rusty screw clamps.

Worm gear clamps are $5 at harbor freight for 50.

They don't stay on my car long enough to get rusty.

bravenrace wrote: I'm puzzled about what it is that you guys think is so much trouble with installing spring clamps. You don't need that tool. I have one that cost about 5 bucks and does the job perfectly. I've also used channel locks, but that can get dicey. But in any case I'd much rather deal with that than rusty screw clamps.

When a hose is old/has expanded, you hate spring clamps. EVERYONE DOES, and EVERYONE HAS BEEN THERE. You can't "squeeze" the spring clamp enough for it to actually expand so it slides over the hose. Another issue (related to this) is if this is the case, you now need to hold the (insert device of choice here) to expand the spring clamp, probably in an awkward position, while finding away to provide a perpendicular force to pull said clamp off.

We aren't talking about nice, spacious Volvo semi's here, we're talking about CRAMPED GOD DAMN VW's. lol (PTSD kicked in there, sorry)/

Edit- This is one of those things that is theoretical vs practical. In practice, gear clamps are better (and good enough) for 95% of people. If I've already gone through the effort to remove a spring clamp. it's getting replaced with a gear clamp because clearly I don't mind removing that piece of equipment, so whatever makes it easier is a bonus.

I've also never destroyed a hose with gear clamps yet, and have held hoses on that shouldn't have stayed with gear clamps. They're kind of like vice-grips, wrong for every situation, but ohhhhhhhh so right!

Oh, believe me, my experience isn't just theoretical. I'm the one that tests these things for my company. And I've owned Honda's for years, and they use spring clamps almost exclusively. I've always found them much easier to use than any other type of clamp.
Here's the thing. For any given hose size, there is one spring clamp that is correct. In other words, you can't use one clamp on a range of hose sizes. If you do, you will certainly have the problem you describe. But honestly, I've never had that problem on any of my Hondas, or any of the products my company produces, and that's because the clamp is the one specified for that diameter hose. I'm not saying that the clamps you used or were working with weren't the correct size. I'm just telling you my experience. And I'll add that in our testing, we found that the sizing was so critical that even two different brands of hose with slightly different diameters could warrant two different clamp sizes.
In any case, they may or may not be harder to use, but they are the best clamps to use, which is why the OEMs use them. You may not have ever had a hose fail because of the clamp (I've seen dozens myself), but heavy truck and construction equipment manufacturers need products that are much more durable than maybe what you need, and these clamps out perform any others.

HiTempguy wrote: We aren't talking about nice, spacious Volvo semi's here, we're talking about CRAMPED GOD DAMN VW's. lol (PTSD kicked in there, sorry)/

Hmm... the cramped confines in my TDI is why I love spring clamps... the turbo output hose comes to mind. Access is so freaking tight that a worm clamp would suck... spring clamp with the cable tool: easy as pie. I like pie.

You know the cable tool locks the clamp in the open position so it's easy to move it around to exactly where you want it before releasing?

Regardless, even on cars with worn clamps, I don't use a screw driver. A nut driver works much better.

Ian F wrote: Hmm... the cramped confines in my TDI is why I love spring clamps... the turbo output hose comes to mind. Access is so freaking tight that a worm clamp would suck... spring clamp with the cable tool: easy as pie. I like pie. You know the cable tool locks the clamp in the open position so it's easy to move it around to exactly where you want it before releasing? Regardless, even on cars with worn clamps, I don't use a screw driver. A nut driver works much better.

Larger spring clamps are easier. Small lines, such as fuel and coolant lines are the issue. Plus, air doesn't tend to chemically attack a hose causing it to expand.

Bravenrace, I'm not saying you are not right, spring clamps are awesome. But not when you have a swelled fuel/coolant line (even with the tool), which is always the case on VW's it seems.

In reply to Ian F:

+1 nut driver

I also hate those spring style hose clamps, but at least now I know what tool I need to remove them with so I can throw them away. When the Formula 1, Indy car, IMSA, and Nascar teams all start using spring style clamps, then maybe I'll think about it. Until then I will remain loyal to the worm gear clamp that has been so reliable for so long.

bravenrace wrote: And I'll add that in our testing, we found that the sizing was so critical that even two different brands of hose with slightly different diameters could warrant two different clamp sizes.

This is why they're no use to me, even if they are the best solution. I don't have the shop space or inventory budget to have the right spring clamp on hand when I need it.

I would love to find where to get those second-best worm clamps with springs and rolled edges. I think that's the right side of the trade-off for the home shop containing a variety of hose sizes...

ditchdigger wrote: What I hate most about worm gear clamps is the excess band that sticks out of them. They all end up as little blades in the engine bay ready to slice open my hand/arm when it slips from a ratchet or something.

Cut myself many more times on the ends of spring clamps than I have on a worm clamp. Man those things are sharp and they don't give either. If they plastic dipped the ends of the spring clamps I would like them a lot better.

And yes just scroll down the list here. Half Dork, Dork, Super Dork, Ultima Dork! Were all Dorks here!

Corbin Clamps.

I worked in a factory that put dozens of these in the X-ray film processor we made.

They would shoot out of the pliers and almost take an eye out. I still have nightmares about these spring clamps.

ransom wrote:

bravenrace wrote: And I'll add that in our testing, we found that the sizing was so critical that even two different brands of hose with slightly different diameters could warrant two different clamp sizes.

I would love to find where to get those second-best worm clamps with springs and rolled edges. I think that's the right side of the trade-off for the home shop containing a variety of hose sizes...

Summit should have them. I've seen them many places.... usually any decent place that carries T-bar clamps (my personal favorite) will have the sprung worm gears as well.

pete240z wrote: Corbin Clamps.

I actually like these better than spring clamps, they are easier to compress far enough on said expanded/aged hoses that it's NBD, plus the rounded edges to don't grab so readily onto the hose if you don't have the hose and clamp perfectly lined up while sliding it off.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

ransom wrote:

bravenrace wrote: And I'll add that in our testing, we found that the sizing was so critical that even two different brands of hose with slightly different diameters could warrant two different clamp sizes.

I would love to find where to get those second-best worm clamps with springs and rolled edges. I think that's the right side of the trade-off for the home shop containing a variety of hose sizes...

Summit should have them. I've seen them many places.... usually any decent place that carries T-bar clamps (my personal favorite) will have the sprung worm gears as well.

Napa has them, and the t-bar ones, and stainless worm gear clamps that also have a stainless screw, and the tool to remove spring clamps before you put them in an envelope and mail them to bravenrace.

pete240z wrote: Corbin Clamps. I worked in a factory that put dozens of these in the X-ray film processor we made. They would shoot out of the pliers and almost take an eye out. I still have nightmares about these spring clamps.

Did you have the special pliers made for these wire clamps? With the hole and groove in grip surface? We experimented with those years ago at work and I still have the pliers. About once a week some one will grab them from my toolbox and ask what is wrong with them

ncjay wrote: I also hate those spring style hose clamps, but at least now I know what tool I need to remove them with so I can throw them away. When the Formula 1, Indy car, IMSA, and Nascar teams all start using spring style clamps, then maybe I'll think about it. Until then I will remain loyal to the worm gear clamp that has been so reliable for so long.

They don't use those either. They use AN fittings for everything.

SupraWes wrote:

ditchdigger wrote: What I hate most about worm gear clamps is the excess band that sticks out of them. They all end up as little blades in the engine bay ready to slice open my hand/arm when it slips from a ratchet or something.

Cut myself many more times on the ends of spring clamps than I have on a worm clamp. Man those things are sharp and they don't give either. If they plastic dipped the ends of the spring clamps I would like them a lot better. And yes just scroll down the list here. Half Dork, Dork, Super Dork, Ultima Dork! Were all Dorks here!

Sharp? I don't know what kind of spring clamps you are using, but I've never seen one that was sharp. Certainly not as sharp as a screw clamp!

In reply to pete240z:

Those are indeed terrible clamps, but they aren't the clamps we are talking about here.