Earth Clamp

[ChrisJ]

I wanted to replace the earth clamp on my 160 amp arc welder, so I oredered a new clamp, and was puzzled as to how he cable connected to the new clamp, basically on the old clamp the cable fed through the hole in the handle end of the clamp and was secured under the "U" shaped part of the inner jaw, it has always been this way since I inherited it off my Dad, anyway it turns out the original clamp is for a much higher rated arc welder (400 amp) and I need a cable lug fitted to the end of the 16mm earth cable, to connect to the threaded bolt on the top of the new clamp, which seems to have a 6mm bolt to attach the lug too, can anyone show me what type of lug I need and how to fit one please? have attached pictures, and thank you
Chris.

 

[madkayaker]

Search welding lug on eBay and you will find a reusable clamp with a hole and flat to go onto the bolt. Or get a normal 16mm crimp with 8mm hole and crimp ushering bench vice

 

[rich r]

If you need one in a hurry, pop down to your local motor factors (even Halfords), as a car battery earth lead terminal will do the job nicely.

 

[madkayaker]

Or electrical wholesalers

 

[anjum]

Or strangely enough a car audio shop! Trouble is going tobe the tool to crimp the lead. If you go to a helpful one or an old fashioed car parts shop thatr still makes battery lead they may have one.

 

[wheresmejumper]

hammer and chisel/flat screwdriver would do

 

[ChrisJ]

Just popped down to the local Motor Factor I use, for the lug we even went out the back and used there vice to squish it on, wet myself when they said 50p for the lug and £14 labor, glad i popped out now needed a bit of a chuckle, and thanks for all the responses guys you never let me down

 

[ChrisJ]

P.S a slightly open vice+big hammer+ cold chisel made a lovely neat job of fitting the lug...

 

[PTvor]

The last time I wanted one I went to the local welding supplier, they produced a box of lugs and I picked one out. I asked how much and they said nothing.

A steel block, a dull chisel and hammer worked for me.

There's a proper crimper which you put the cable and lug into and hit it with a hammer. I think they are £15-£20. A time back someone posted a video of one being used.

I'm sure I've also see screw clamped reusable lugs advertised for not much, a couple of quid.

 

[ChrisJ]

And finally my welder "Pimped" up with new electrode holder and earth clamp curtosy of mr Weldequip

 

[PTvor]

A thing of beauty is a thing of joy forever.

 

[500e]

Feed the cable through the hole in clamp handle then to bolt, this will stop the cable working in the eye.
Glad to see the strap between the clamp jaws.

 

[ChrisJ]

Thanks 500e, I did spot my mistake after seeing the hole in the handle, and thinking "whats this for" lol,
cheers,
Chris