Arc-welded a cheap g-clamp : bad idea?

[skotl]

I over-tightened a 7" G clamp last week and snapped it so, today, I MMA'd it and there was a lot of heat / flame.

It was a cheap clamp - made out of that kind of gray clumpy looking goomp (technical definition required). The weld (sorry for no pictures at the mo) seems strong enough but I wonder whether I wasted 5p of rod on it and should have spent £3 on a new one?

What are clamps typically made of?

 

[skotl]

If it clamps then it was 5p well spent.

If it breaks again, well it was only 5p

Thing is, it was f'd, trying to fix it can't have f'd it any more

Aye - that's what I thought. First clamp I've ever had let go so it was mostly stubborness (and a desire to play with stick) that led me to (literally) drag it out the bin and try and fix it.
Any idea what the metal is in these cheap clamps? If I was to describe it, I'd call it "chipboard, but made of metal".

 

[julianthegypsy]

I'd really like to say it's cast steel, but I don't think I can.

My suspicion is that it's actually a chipboard/weetabix alloy with a generous coating of body filler and cheap paint.

But apparently it's weldable!

 

[skotl]

I haven't tried to tighten it up yet (it was too hot)!

 

[Turbo]

I remember welding one of those cheap clamps and it sizzled like a firework, like trying to weld galvanised steel without grinding off the zinc coating! I think the weld held, though I've now got some decent clamps so the cheapies are in the scrap bin long ago!

 

[arther dailey]

I have only ever known that refered to as muck metal(being polite here) Arther

 

[dobbslc]

I call it monkey metal, most bike crankcase fixings are made from it.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Can't remember how long ago but I would guess about 25 years, we had a walk into a new style of shop never seen before...everything was £1, yes it was probably one of the very first and a £1 then was obviously worth more than it is now...however:

A big bucket of G clamps caught my eyes, approx. 4" throat, dog rough castings, painted by a blind man with a tar brush and not the best looking thread, so I bought five, they were used when I renovated boats, welded cars, built trailers, made ornamental steelwork and everything else that required clamping.

I only have one left, the other four were lost, stolen or pinched by aliens but none ever broke and they took a massive amount of hammering over the years, it appears even the cheap junk was better years ago.

 

[Kent]

I have welded quite a few most of the good ones are malable
Some just won't. Others will just but tend not to last

Sure I have at least one that's been welded up for about the last 30 years and still going strong

Used to weld on initials to some so they didn't get pinched

Best not use one for anything were failure could cause an accident

 

[skotl]

I have welded quite a few most of the good ones are malable
Some just won't. Others will just but tend not to last

Sure I have at least one that's been welded up for about the last 30 years and still going strong

Used to weld on initials to some so they didn't get pinched

Best not use one for anything were failure could cause an accident

It did ping off at an alarming rate...

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Joking aside Record G cramps were made from drop forged SG iron, a type of malleable or ductile cast iron which has nodular graphite inclusions.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I over-tightened a 7" G clamp last week and snapped it

they took a massive amount of hammering over the years

Shows how strong skot is.......

 

[ajlelectronics]

I have a couple of G clamps that have bent to a jaunty angle!

 

[julianthegypsy]

I have a couple of G clamps that have bent to a jaunty angle!

Ah, clamps at jaunty angles, I've seen loads. And some without their feet! How on earth does that happen?

 

[skotl]

Shows how strong skot is.......

 

[Shedendman]

Here ya go skoti,one the old boy next door broke


Told him no point i'll get you an old english one from the boot sale this weekend
Looks like end of a biscuit
Unless you fancy it Skoti,but i want a proper job now no bodgeing

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I can see a whole new cottage industry springing up on the banks of the Forth.

 

[Windy Miller]

Joking aside Record G cramps were made from drop forged SG iron, a type of malleable or ductile cast iron which has nodular graphite inclusions.

A mate of mine ended up with Nodular Graphite Inclusions when he went to Ibiza last summer!

 

[ronan]

I call it monkey metal, most bike crankcase fixings are made from it.

The aluminium is full of zinc to drop the melting temp to get longer life out of the dies or to get it to flow better or something like that. Whatever its a pain when it breaks and needs to be welded.

 

[Parm]

I'd really like to say it's cast steel, but I don't think I can.

My suspicion is that it's actually a chipboard/weetabix alloy with a generous coating of body filler and cheap paint.

Cant be as strong as that. surely not !!!!