Ben@FineWoodworking Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 So a LONG time ago I bought six 3/4" pipe clamps. Never bought the pipe for them though. Figured I'll use some BORG gift card money and finally get some pipes. I have 6... I was originally going to get 3 ten footers... cut them in half and have six 5 foot clamps. Should I have a few smaller? A few bigger? I also received two 1/2" pipe clamps... I was planning on getting two 3 foot pieces of pipe for these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben@FineWoodworking Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 I should add that my current collection of clamps is... 6 - 18" HF F style clamps 3 - 12" Irwin quick grips I plan on adding 6 24" HF F style clamps soon as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 I have two 3/4" pipe clamps, and I bought a 10' length of pipe for them. I figure I'll wait until I have a use and then cut the pipe to whatever length I need.. There's always the possibility of getting a pipe threader and some couple; then I could cut the pipe into shorter lengths and couple them when I need longer lengths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert T. Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 What in the world is a BORG? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodClips Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 If the rest of your clamp inventory is F-style clamps, it sounds like your pipe clamps might see a lot of use for panel glue-ups or larger assemblies. I find that I'm most frequently reaching for my four 24" K-Body clamps in this type of situation, and also my pair of 40" K-Bodies. I have a pair of five foot pipe clamps, but I honestly can't remember the last time I needed something that big--they are too unwieldy to use for anything that doesn't absolutely require the extra length. Of course, your needs may be different than mine based on the type of projects your are building. Rory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddlestrum Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 I also bought some 3/4" pipe clamps. Remember that the O.D. of 3/4" pipe is slightly more than 1" when you're buying pipe. I bought a full piece of SRL (single random length) which is about 20 - 21 feet long for $18.00 Canadian. I cut 2 pieces 6 feet long and 2 - 4 feet long. I had both ends threaded of each piece so I can cut them down if needed in the future without having to go back for threading. Just a thot. I've also noticed the pipes bow a bit when using the clamps under pressure, so be prepared for that when you clamp a project. Regards, Saddlestrum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jab73180 Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 i use my 24" pipe clamps quite a bit. 5' clamps are to long, cut em in half and those work good too. the good thing about pipe clamps is you can make em whatever size you want. if you have a 5' section of pipe and need 2 smaller clamps, cut the pipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jab73180 Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 What in the world is a BORG? Big Orange Retail Giant = Home Depot 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwatson Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 i just bought 2 ten footers and cut them in half. I already had three shorter pipe clamps and for a while now i have needed some just a little longer. i like the idea of the 2 4ft and 2 6 ft idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim DaddyO Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 FWIW, my pipe is cut to 42" for my clamps threaded on both ends. I also have the same number of 2' sections and couplers. This gives me a lot of variety in clamp lengths as I can mix and match pipe lengths to the size I need. All 3/4" pipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jHop Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 So I had a reply, but lost it when I lost network connection... I'll shorten my reply, because i don't remember all of it. I've seen guys with pipe lengths between 24" and 72", but they usually only have 2 or 4 at 72" long. Most seem to run lengths between 30 and 42 inches long, and have couplers so they can create the length they need. I don't have any pipe yet, and I don't forsee getting many pipes too long, as I don't have the ceiling height to handle really long pipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben@FineWoodworking Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Ok... so I am thinking 2-5 foot pipes threaded on one end. (I can always get the other end threaded if need... maybe I should just do it now... ug.) 4-30" foot pipes threaded on both ends since I don't have a large collection of parallel clamps The 1/2" clamps will probably just be 24" long threaded on both ends. Thanks for the help guys. I would have a bunch of really hard to use 5 foot clamps right now otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Big Orange Retail Giant = Home Depot Resistance is Futile! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbaran Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 You also might want to pick up some pipe couplings while you are at, then if you do need longer clamps, you can take your 4 shorter clamps and turn them into 2 longer ones by joining them together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kesac Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 So a LONG time ago I bought six 3/4" pipe clamps. Never bought the pipe for them though. Figured I'll use some BORG gift card money and finally get some pipes. I have 6... I was originally going to get 3 ten footers... cut them in half and have six 5 foot clamps. Should I have a few smaller? A few bigger? I also received two 1/2" pipe clamps... I was planning on getting two 3 foot pieces of pipe for these. I use the shortest that will fill the bill, for whatever I am doing today. It is probably rare that I go over 4-5', but on those rare occasions, I can always run and buy a couple of pipes to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick LoDico Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 The pipe at the borgs comes in precut lengths. Why buy a 10' and cut it in half? Buy a 4 and a 6 that's threaded on both ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jab73180 Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 because its more expensive that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew_73 Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 On 1/14/2011 at 4:24 PM, jab73180 said: because its more expensive that way. Why not use stainless steal threaded dowels? They tend to be cheaper per foot and they are threaded everywhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 11 minutes ago, Drew_73 said: Why not use stainless steal threaded dowels? They tend to be cheaper per foot and they are threaded everywhere? Check the age of this thread... Also, OP was discussing pipe clamps. 3/4” x10’ stainless steel would be much more expensive than some galvanized or black pipe, and you need the smooth section of pipe for the clamps to work properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 I can't imagine trying to handle a bunch of long solid stainless steel clamps for a big glue up. And remember, 3/4" pipe is actually about 1" OD. So, very heavy & very expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Sawdust Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 I like zombie threads Haven't ever seen Ben on here before though. I bought pipe clamps to make a dresser, about 5 feet long, threaded both ends. Later, during a build of a bed that was 7 feet, I bought couplings and two more sections of pipe about 3 feet, which worked out well. I built a special hanger for them on the wall of my shop. They don't get used THAT much, but when I need them, they are the only thing that'll work. Ben I hope you figured it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 I like pipe in 2 or 3 foot sections, and plenty of couplings. More useful to have several short ones that can link up, than a few long ones that are always in the way. IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrodk Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 On 12/30/2010 at 8:27 PM, Ben@FineWoodworking said: So a LONG time ago I bought six 3/4" pipe clamps. Never bought the pipe for them though. A long time ago in 2010 is what? At least 12-15 years... Anyway... I have a few clamps and no pipe. Digging up this thread actually helps me decide to get some pipe and put them to use. Always something useful being discussed. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 Proof the search feature works. I only pipe for longer lengths. If I did a bunch of traditional 3/4” board widening, I might get more short pipe. That is what makes this question funny to me. Let the projects you work determine the pipe you buy. Couplers and more pipe can be bought as needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 1 hour ago, elrodk said: A long time ago in 2010 is what? At least 12-15 years... To many fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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