In 1921, a formal Royal Navy Commander by the name of Lumley Robinson invented the hose clamp and forever changed the automotive industry. A hose clamp is a device used to attach and seal a hose onto a fitting like a barb or a nipple. Typical uses for hose clamps include securing automotive system hoses and clamping lines in household plumbing systems. Hose clamps are occasionally used as heavy-duty zip ties or as an alternative to duct tape. Many hose clamps are typically limited to moderate pressures like those found in home and automotive systems.
Hose Clamp Size
The proper size and quality of hose clamp is essential to ensure hoses are sealed from gas, liquid, or leaks from other substances. Hose clamps have a variety of applications with enough sizes to meet the needs of any hose system. There are even heavy duty stainless steel hose clamps for extra protection against leaks.
Types of Hose Clamps
Choosing a hose clamp depends largely on the type of pipe you are using and the desired outcome. Since hose clamps are specifically designed to distribute pressure evenly on all sides, the barb you use must be free of nicks, scratches, or other contaminates to prevent gaps. Different styles of hose clamps include: worm gear clamps, screw clamps, spring clamps, and wire clamps. Worm hose clamps can be daisy-chained together to make an even longer clamp if needed. Wire hose clamps are simply a heavy piece of wire that has been bent into a “U” shape. Screw clamps are more heavy duty as they consist of a galvanized or stainless steel band that has a screw thread pattern cut into it; these are ideal for hoses over a half-inch in diameter. With so many sizes and styles of hose clamps, there is a hose job to fit any job!
