Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I think we have all been down this road and there may be other solutions for this age old problem of trying to align the holes in the Adel clamps, keep them in alignment and get the bolt/screw thru . Well...here is my RB TECH tip for the Quarter . Take your clamps and run an Awl or "punch" thru the hole and then attach a "Locking Hemostat" to the Adel clamps . Then you can remove the Awl or punch and the holes will remain in alignment ! That locking Hemostat is one powerful little locking clamp ! Insert the bolt/screw , attach the nut and remove the Hemostat . BADA BING, BADA BOOM ! You can find the Hemostats on E-bay for a few dollars or at a Swap Meet . I think I paid about 50 cents for mine at a Swap Meet ? Get a long one and a short one . Sorry the pics are a little "fuzzy" , but you get the idea .

RB

Higher and Faster

Good post Rich I am sure a lot of people may not be aware of this maintenance tip.

As an junior Air Frame technician this was taught to us on our basic trade training. I have used both punches and awls or nails in a pinch to align the clamps. Locking Hemostat's where standard tools in our air force tool boxes.

Hemostat's & a can of honey grease are in my own tool box.

What is honey grease? It is a very thick almost a solid general purpose grease that sticks things like washers to structures / installations where you need the 3rd hand. Holds bolts (in sockets) when you are upside down, and a million other uses,....

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Victor J Thompson
C-GIRQ
In memory of Dad

Yeah good post - I always use an awl, then pinch together with vice grips, then safety wife the dang things together. Then feed the bolt through - it's about the only way I kept my sanity when attaching the plug wire clamps to the rocker covers.

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Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

Vise grips and needle nose pliers were a PITA ! Hemostats are Muey Bueno ! One Other TECH TIP...tired of trying to fit that washer and nut on at the same time , especially in a hard to reach location . Take a drop of "Super Glue" and put it on the washer and nut while you have the bolt or screw on the bench and mate the pair up . Do not get the glue on the threads . Once the glue has set up ( about 30 seconds ) you can put the nut and washer on the installation worry free ! I have tried Permatex , grease and every other "Sticky" goo to keep the washer in place , but Super Glue seems to work the best ! Just be sure the washer and nut are grease free before you put on the glue !

RB

Higher and Faster

I Hate those clamps,but I used em everywhere. This is a very good tip, especially when you have limited space. I am going to get me some of those hemodealies, where da ya get em Rich??? . Dan

My friend, Bill Williams, has been known to Super Glue the nut/washer combo to the tip of his finger, then reach into the "impossible to reach" place and start the threads. His hide is thick enough that he seldom leaves much behind.

Hemostats are usually found at car show swap meets.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

I tried that once......who knew I'd have an itch right THERE!!...at exactly THAT time!!.. ........"peep"

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Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

Dan...you can get the Hemostats on E-bay or a local Swap Meet might have them .

RB

Higher and Faster

B&B sells stainless dg clamps ... Much easier to work with!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Adel Clamps, better known as "Damn-it" clamps. I found there is no one solutions, the above all work at one time or other. I've used needle nose, vise grips, hemostats, all work to some degree. I have a pair of vise grips with small horse shoes welled to the upper and lower jaws. I have used saftey wire to close them. Just face it, here's your chance to come up with a fool proof way to install these things.

The answer is use stainless adel / dg clamps ... Very easy to work with!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD