When Ideal is not ideal - Cheap source of good hose clamps?

[svlamorocha]

Hello everyone

I have just spent a few weeks on my boat and was dismayed to find six hose clamps that had failed and were less than two years old. This includes three that are below the waterline and two in the same fitting. All the clamps that failed are "Ideal" clamps for which I paid a princely retail price in the Caribbean. See attached photos.

This makes me think that I need to replace all the clamps below the waterline because I do not trust that brand anymore.

Does anyone know about a reasonably-priced source of good (ideally "embossed" instead of "slotted") stainless clamps in the US?

Is there any difference between the #8 AWAB clamps sold by Atlantic Boat Supply via Amazon at $23 per 10 and the similar AWAB clamp sold by Jamestown at $45.87 per box of 10?

I look forward to some learning!

C


Thanks

C

[Cheechako]

The non perforated ones are available... and a lot more expensive. I see them often but cant tell you where. Those appear to have been overtightened though. Also, there are "all stainless" ones like those that may be better, but the design of all the clamps I see are pretty poor for sure.

[deblen]

https://www.plumbingsupply.com/clamps.html

Get clamps for a "submersible well pump" from plumbing supply place.
Make sure they are "All Stainless" ie:SS Bolt,as well as the band.
Use 2 clamps with a bolt facing each way on each joint.
Buy a "screwdriver style" 5/16" & 1/4" nutdriver & tighten them "wrist twist" tight & stop.
Nutdrivers eliminate stabbing yourself/hoses,etc, & limit overtightening/destruction of clamp.
Cheers/ Len

[Dennis.G]

Ideal brand clamps actually come in many different model lines, many of which are not really appropriate for marine applications. They have 316 SS clamps available, but are considered specialty clamps.

Ideal Tridon - Ideal Tridon

One common problem I hear of and see is that hose clamps are often over tightened. This deforms the hose too much, and puts additional strain on the clamp itself. If tightening with a screw or nut driver you should give it a good hard twist with your hand to tighten it down, but if you use a wrench it is real easy to over tighten.

[MarkJ]

Working in the engine "room" today. In the pan I found the screw assembly of a hose clamp.







Looking. Looking. Looking

Stuffed if I can find the broken hose clamp

[Seymore]

Originally Posted by svlamorocha

Does anyone know about a reasonably-priced source of good (ideally "embossed" instead of "slotted") stainless clamps in the US?

Is there any difference between the #8 AWAB clamps sold by Atlantic Boat Supply via Amazon at $23 per 10 and the similar AWAB clamp sold by Jamestown at $45.87 per box of 10?C

I get things like this from McMaster-Carr McMaster-Carr Get the 316 ss clamps with 316 ss screws for marine applications.

AWAB is a brand name, so the AWAB clamps sold by the two places should be identical.

[four winds]

Here's the Ideal brand model for marine applications. 1/2" hy-gear 67-6.

1/2" Hy-Gear 67-6 - Ideal Tridon

Interesting to me.... 35 in/lb (4Nm) installation torque.

Or in other words, 2 pounds 3 ounces of pressure on a one foot arm. Even with a nut driver, thats not much twisting. I think I've always overtightened hose clamps. And I've been wrenching for .....40 years! :-)

Thanks Dennis.G or making me think about this.

[HopCar]

On the subject of hose clamps, I've started putting these on my clamps. I think they have prevented some blood shed.

Clamp-Aid 1/2" Band 20 Packs

[Ocean Diamond 2]

I like these clamps for the safety factor, strong and have a positive all round pressure on the hose. I don't end up stabbing myself with the screwdriver.

[The Way]

Originally Posted by deblen

https://www.plumbingsupply.com/clamps.html

Use 2 clamps with a bolt facing each way on each joint.
Cheers/ Len

I've often read this advice (screws should point in opposite directions on the 2 clamps), but never seen an explanation. Does anyone know the reason for this?

Thanks,
Jack

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by The Way

I've often read this advice (screws should point in opposite directions on the 2 clamps), but never seen an explanation. Does anyone know the reason for this?

Thanks,
Jack

It's so it takes 5x as long to replace or remove the clamps ... especially when the location is extremely uncomfortable... Both access and blistering heat...

+1 on McMaster or submersible plumbing sources...

[The Way]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

It's so it takes 5x as long to replace or remove the clamps ... especially when the location is extremely uncomfortable... Both access and blistering heat...

MdR -- yeah, that's been my experience too! Which is why I wonder what the upside is.

BTW, you forgot about poking yourself in the eye with the screwdriver!

Thanks,
Jack

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by The Way

I've often read this advice (screws should point in opposite directions on the 2 clamps), but never seen an explanation. Does anyone know the reason for this?

Thanks,
Jack

I believe it's to equalize out the tightening, if you believe that a hose has some give and friction between the hose and the clamp, then the part of the hose on the screw side is tighter.

Does it matter, I think not, it's more of a workmanship pride in "doing things right" like keeping the engine room as clean or cleaner than the Galley.
The nut drivers will make you life much easier though, and if you just won't use them, at least get clamps that will accept a Phillips screw driver, straight slot screws ought to be illegal, I hate the things.

[Zach]

I use these:

Scandvik Marine Inc. - list


Scandvik ABA in 316 grade... Paxton stocks them on the east coast, so they should be attainable from Florida to Virginia from anyone that has one of their books laying around.

Cheers,

Zach

[The Way]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I believe it's to equalize out the tightening, if you believe that a hose has some give and friction between the hose and the clamp, then the part of the hose on the screw side is tighter.

Does it matter, I think not, it's more of a workmanship pride in "doing things right" like keeping the engine room as clean or cleaner than the Galley.
The nut drivers will make you life much easier though, and if you just won't use them, at least get clamps that will accept a Phillips screw driver, straight slot screws ought to be illegal, I hate the things.

Thanks, pilot, that makes sense.

+1 about the slotted screws! But I've never seen a clamp with a Phillips screw. I just struggle along with a nut-driver and use a screwdriver for final tightening.

Jack