Author Topic: Ratchet Clamp Repair  (Read 3740 times)

Offline Meldonmech

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Ratchet Clamp Repair
« on: March 30, 2015, 03:04:08 PM »
 Hi Guys
     I have had half a dozen plastic and steel ratchet camps for quite a while now. They were originally bought when I was building the conservatory.  They were never top quality but were available when I was in desperate need. Recently one expired, so I removed five retaining screws and opened it up, and found the plastic ratchet lever/ handle had lost it's nib.
      I made a hard wood replacement to see if that would work and it did, quite well, so decided to cast some in aluminium.

Offline Meldonmech

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Re: Ratchet Clamp Repair
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2015, 03:09:15 PM »
 
     I made some patterns, and on a recent sunny day when converting scrap into ingots decided to make some moulds for the handles. A couple of handles where cast.

Offline Meldonmech

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Re: Ratchet Clamp Repair
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2015, 03:12:51 PM »
 
    The surplus metal was sawn off,  then the castings were fettled on the belt sander.

Offline Meldonmech

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Re: Ratchet Clamp Repair
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2015, 03:19:33 PM »
 
    The handles were then drilled, and finished filed to final shape, with corners removed for comfort, and given a trial fit. The ratchet worked well so the cover was replaced, job done.  Only five more to go.

                                                              Cheers  David

Offline Ginger Nut

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Re: Ratchet Clamp Repair
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2015, 11:21:31 PM »
Thanks I have one or two similar.

Mind you a mate paid big bucks for top line clamps when he stored them near a summer lit window the sun destroyed the plastic handle next time he used them they wouldn't work.
No replacement parts available told go out buy new ones.

RobWilson

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Re: Ratchet Clamp Repair
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2015, 01:58:48 PM »
 :thumbup: nicely done David , cracking fix  :clap: :clap:


Rob

Offline vtsteam

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Re: Ratchet Clamp Repair
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2015, 03:02:42 PM »
 :thumbup: :clap:  :beer:
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg