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threaded pipe for Jorgenson style pipe clamps

2K views 18 replies 17 participants last post by  JohnDon 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Does anyone have a less expensive source for the threaded pipe you need for the Jorgenson style crank clamps -

https://www.amazon.com/PONY-50-Clamp-Fixture-Black/dp/B0000224C9/ref=sr_1_9?crid=MLQ32SGJMIY9&keywords=jorgenson+woodworking+clamps&qid=1574258915&sprefix=jorgenson+%2Caps%2C322&sr=8-9

1/2" and 3/4". It's usually black.

Big box prices are steep - costs as much as $20-25 for one 36" pipe. By the time you purchase the clamp fixtures and the pipe, it's $50 bucks for one clamp.
I wondered if some sort of supply - plumbing, or whatever might have these for cheaper price.

Apparently this pipe on Amazon is quite thin and too weak for clamping: https://www.amazon.com/GeilSpace-Industrial-Standard-Threaded-Fittings/dp/B07RLSZCTH/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=black+threaded+pipe+1%2F2+36+inch&qid=1574260286&sr=8-4
 
#5 ·
Go to HD and buy the black iron pipe and have them cut to size and threaded at both ends. Use pipe couplers to join lengths together to have a variety of sizes. The service is free no matter how many threads they cut.

I had 10' lengths cut and threaded on both ends to yield 2', 3', 4' and 6' lengths. Inspiration came from this guy. In the video he uses electrical conduit (which is cheaper) and threads it himself. HD won't thread conduit and I don't have a pipe threader which is why I settled for the iron pipe. But the coupler idea works well and if you can thread the pipe yourself you can save allot of money.
 
#9 ·
For the pipe, the best price is at a steel and recycling yard. Such as Pacific Steel and Recycling or Ace Steel and recycling. Locations like these sell sheet metal, round and square tubing, angle iron, rebar and etc. you can also choose the wall thickness. These stores you can buy any length you want (they'll cut the length) and pay by the foot and don't have to buy the full length tube. Usually 50 cent per cut to length, and even tread the ends for you.

2 yrs ago I got four 3/4"x4' tubes, had my own pipe threader, so the total cost was about $10.
 
#10 ·
I did what most mentioned here.
One 10' stick got me one 48", and two 36" bars.
So one had to have threads cut. And I only have it threaded on the one end.
I had bought 3 sticks, so a bit of work for the guy to do.
It was at Home Depot a few years ago. And the guy doing the work for me had told me that they are only supposed to do one cut for free. And I think he was supposed to charge for the extra cuts, and threading. But he did I all for free.
I did give him a good tip though.
 
#11 ·
Thanks again folks for the great advice.
I must have been looking in the wrong place when I was shopping for threaded pipe at Lowes.
These sources and prices seem much more manageable. I need a lot of clamps and the total cost was getting pretty steep.

-Bill
 
#13 ·
Cut lengths of pipe cost as much as full sticks. It's simply the economies of scale. Pipe manufacturers are constantly running production of 10ft sticks. They usually have to retool to make shorter lengths, so add that cost in. Then the shorter lengths sell slower for the wholesaler, so they mark them up more to allow for the time it takes to recoup the investment. For retailers, they have to be more competitively priced on 10ft sticks, too, so price to make less profit and make up for it by selling more quantity. In the end, it just means that 10ft sticks are your best bet.

If you are making a lot and the big box won't do the work for free, it might be worth seeing if you can find a place to rent a pipe cutter and threader. Then it's just your time to cut and thread to whatever lengths you wish.
 
#14 ·
Many places will thread pipe at no charge.. so you can buy the longer lengths.
I have pipe threaded both ends… with couplers - 5 foot and 3 foot. so when needed I can have an 8 foot clamp
 
#17 ·
I use intermediate mettallic conduit. Buy it at an electrical supply house, and some big boxes. The plastic bushings on the threads are green for 3/4, and yellow for 1/2". Tell them it is for clamps, not electrical work if they don't want to sell to you.
It is zinc plated so it does not mark work. It is thinner walled than schedule 40 conduit or water pipe, but is stronger and stiffer. I have used it for years. It is also cheaper than schedule 40 pipe, and is threaded with the same dies.
 
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