Clamping aluminium tips and tricks

[tedmagnum]

Steel is easy. Magnets....

I'm trying to find a way to clamp up pieces of sheet aluminium to weld at specific angles... I considered making wooden blocks and clamping the sheet to them....

Hmmm. Long winded though.

Any ideas ???

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I struggled clamping Ali and in the end I drilled holes and used screws/rivets/wire/cable ties to hold the parts together while tacking and then welded the holes up after.

 

[Mick - Ford Focus]

Sand Pit !

M

 

[hotrodder]

If we're talking thinish sheet and you already have the adjustable angle magnetic things you might find they still work 'through' the ally to a piece of steel on the other side. If the magnets aren't strong enough then use magnets on both sides.
Personally i hate magnetic clamps so tend to use a home made thing kinda like this...

or often just prop the thing up at about the right angle get a couple of tacks on it and then tweak. A selection of bits of angle and a pile of clamps is very versatile too

 

[Shox Dr]

I like the angle clamp HR. I'd have that on fire before it's first day was out.

For something like that, I'd clamp a bit of angle iron to both sheets, then 1 or 2 pieces cross the end to tie it all together. At some point (yeah rite) I'm going to make some helping hands out of some telescopic bank rests, and retort clamps, and swivel clamps, handy for holding pipes in weird shapes

 

[tedmagnum]

If we're talking thinish sheet and you already have the adjustable angle magnetic things you might find they still work 'through' the ally to a piece of steel on the other side. If the magnets aren't strong enough then use magnets on both sides.
Personally i hate magnetic clamps so tend to use a home made thing kinda like this...

or often just prop the thing up at about the right angle get a couple of tacks on it and then tweak. A selection of bits of angle and a pile of clamps is very versatile too

You made that yourself ??

That's a very nice design and idea.... It's almost perfect for what I need too.




Sandpit idea is great too.. I like it

 

[tedmagnum]

This is EXACTLY what I need.

Anyone know where I can buy something like this in the U.K ??

 

[hotrodder]

You made that yourself ??

Nah, the pic i posted is nicked off the internet as i didn't have of my own to hand. My homemade version uses two bits of angle ally instead of plastic (as Shox i'd melt plastic ones designed for woodwork sooner or later)

While those Heck clamps look very nice and the V jaw would be handy for tube too they'd be useless if there's any shape/folded returns on the edge of the sheets. Something made using some angle or box section can be placed inboard of the edge, the limit being reach of whatever clamps are to hand

 

[tedmagnum]

That Heck clamp is $200 and with shipping, it isn't a justifiable expense.

Looks like I'm making my own