Crimp-on hose clamps vs worm drive clamps

[SwampNut]

I can't recall if I've posted about this before.  These are kind of life changing, particularly in certain applications and smaller sizes.  What brought this to mind is that I'd plumbed in my new compressor using the generic worm drive clamps that came with the hose barbs.  They were there, at hand, and I'm lazy.  It didn't take long for it to start leaking.  Those standard clamps are kinda OK for large hoses, but the physics of using them on small hoses is bad.

 

The single-ear clamps just work, every fucking time.  And you don't HAVE to double them up, but for the ultimate stability, I sometimes do.  They are so cheap.

 

https://a.co/d/0ejZWNqb

 

 

 

 

 

That tool is used both to crimp them, and break them off.  And it's often super useful to clip something off flush.

[rockmeupto125]

That is cheap. I'm buying them.

[Zero Knievel]

Don’t see the need if one is already doing the job.

[SwampNut]

7 hours ago, Zero Knievel said:

Don’t see the need if one is already doing the job.

 

Yes, that thinking is what has led to many aircraft crashes, boat sinkings, etc.  Definitely never take long-term reliability into account ever.

 

[Zero Knievel]

Well, for me, most hose clamps I have to deal with have limited space to get a tool to tighten or loosen them. So, that client would be great if where it goes, you can easily access with the tool.

[CALCXX]

Imo, I agree 100%.

The worm type are ok for large hose/barb application.

Small hose/barb does not seal well especialy in the flat portion under the worm screw.

We used crimp type w/tool. Done. Easily ground off if the hose is bent to the point of breakage.

        

Edited May 23 by CALCXX

[superhawk996]

I have hundreds of worm clamps and don't need more shit, so FYYFF.  And thanks.  I almost asked you about them a couple weeks ago because I had something where one of these would have been great, but I wasn't compelled to do the searching so I removed the existing one and re-used it.  Cut or break and replace would have been much quicker.

 

I have what I think is the more proper tool for these, it pushes down on the flat part while squeezing the sides so it stays flatter, but the tool in the kit might be handy for removing these.  Some vehicles use them and it can be a pain to get them off.

 

Shit, I just realized that the kit with the tool only has metric clamps so I'll have to order the non-tool kit to have American clamps.  So retarded that they actually advertise them that way.

[rockmeupto125]

What is the tool that you have?

[SwampNut]

6 hours ago, rockmeupto125 said:

What is the tool that you have?

 

It's an SAE tool and he can't use them on these metric clamps.

 

[rockmeupto125]

Prolly not available in left hand configuration either.

[fizzy]

I have a one in British standard Whitworth for those in-between sizes. 

[SwampNut]

5 hours ago, rockmeupto125 said:

Prolly not available in left hand configuration either.

 

Dummy.

 

[rockmeupto125]

🤔     🤦‍♂️

[superhawk996]

On 5/23/2026 at 2:10 AM, rockmeupto125 said:

What is the tool that you have?

It doesn't have a brand or number on it so it took a bit of figuring out what it's called to then find it.  The flat thing between the jaws moves toward the jaws as they're closing so it smashes down on the part of the clamp that would otherwise raise.  Doesn't really matter for hoses, but it makes them look nicer, more OEM-ish.

 

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/cv-boot-clamp-plier-ear-type-lisle-30800?ads_cmpid=21626320523&ads_adid=174977201028&ads_matchtype=&ads_network=g&ads_creative=710927653121&utm_term=&ads_targetid=pla-301282657332&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&ttv=2&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21626320523&gbraid=0AAAAAD3np3VvwwsJwm2H1lBU7QTWd5Rwo&gclid=CjwKCAjw5s_QBhAdEiwADD_gBmwdBpVd_IcUNoDtsflnkdEo8jksK4DfLvI6rgwqG-jRxqbpaPWQtBoCEx0QAvD_BwE

[tomek]

 The thing is those are reather one time only, and you gotta get diameter close enough. While screw type if it way too big you can leave it, or cut off excessive whatever. 

 I do agree for small diameter crimp types clamp batter. 

[superhawk996]

4 hours ago, tomek said:

 The thing is those are reather one time only, and you gotta get diameter close enough. While screw type if it way too big you can leave it, or cut off excessive whatever. 

 I do agree for small diameter crimp types clamp batter. 

I've reused crimp clamps many times, for hoses and CV joints.  I probably wouldn't bother reusing the chinesium clamps in the kit, and if I find that they're good I'll stop reusing OEM clamps when I'm working on vehicles that have them and just replace them with the chink clamps.

[superhawk996]

11 hours ago, superhawk996 said:

It doesn't have a brand or number on it so it took a bit of figuring out what it's called to then find it.  The flat thing between the jaws moves toward the jaws as they're closing so it smashes down on the part of the clamp that would otherwise raise.  Doesn't really matter for hoses, but it makes them look nicer, more OEM-ish.

 

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/cv-boot-clamp-plier-ear-type-lisle-30800?ads_cmpid=21626320523&ads_adid=174977201028&ads_matchtype=&ads_network=g&ads_creative=710927653121&utm_term=&ads_targetid=pla-301282657332&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&ttv=2&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21626320523&gbraid=0AAAAAD3np3VvwwsJwm2H1lBU7QTWd5Rwo&gclid=CjwKCAjw5s_QBhAdEiwADD_gBmwdBpVd_IcUNoDtsflnkdEo8jksK4DfLvI6rgwqG-jRxqbpaPWQtBoCEx0QAvD_BwE

And I wondered why it has square drives on the handles, it's for using a torque wrench.  99.9% sure I'll never do that.

[TOXXIC]

On 5/25/2026 at 6:35 PM, superhawk996 said:

CV joints

I’ve used similar for CV joint boots. I have a tool that smashes them over. This thread is interesting I should revisit it sober. 😂

[superhawk996]

I had the kit in my cart and finally remembered to order it.  The box is crap and the label is a lie; the big clamps don't fit so they come small bag, the lid doesn't close properly, and the latch doesn't latch at all.  Probably not a huge issue for most people, but it sucks for carrying it in the ambulance so I'll try to find a box that works.  Maybe it saved them a few pennies per kit.  I'm guessing they lost more than that in man power and packaging/shipping, but whatever.

 

The cutting points on the tool don't meet squarely, one corner touches first, but since it's made of chinesium it takes little pressure for them to come together.

 

The clamps are decent looking and probably are 304SS as advertised.  304 is non magnetic, these are slightly magnetic which is common when 304 gets subjected to cold forming, bending/stamping.

[SwampNut]

Oh yeah, the box is retarded.  But the tool that came with mine is actually great, as good as the identical-seeming name brand tool.

 

Yesterday I accidentally used oversized clamps on a small hose, and was surprised that they still worked.  Maybe not as tight, but no leak.

[superhawk996]

I lucked out and found an empty box in my stash that matched the size of my other boxes, just had to make a divider to keep the sizes segregated.  This is why I don't throw away anything.  I have a compartment in the ambulance with a dozen small clear plastic boxes for small stuff; fuses, cotter pins, springs, crush washers, etc.  And now one for these clamps.  The boxes vary slightly in design, but they're the same size so they stack well.

Edited June 3 by superhawk996

[superhawk996]

I couldn’t post the photo from my computer, but for some reason I can from my phone.  This is why a functional box is important to me, a matching sized one is ideal.

 

[rockmeupto125]

Arrived yesterday 

 

 

[superhawk996]

Shit, you went all in.  What do all the different tools do?

[SwampNut]

12 hours ago, superhawk996 said:

Shit, you went all in.  What do all the different tools do?

 

My question exactly!