Help sourcing Deepthroat C or G Clamp

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gedc

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

#319028 14-Mar-2025 18:10

Been hunting around NZ and OZ websites and can't find something akin to the following type of clamp..Some call it C clamps and others G clamps. Needs to be about 12" / 300m deep for a specific purpose. Anything i've found close to it is crazy money + crazy shipping. Thanks for any pointers.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-deep-throat-c-clamp-45919.html

P.S Typing Deepthroat Clamps into AlieExpress brought back interesting results !

eracode

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#3354099 14-Mar-2025 18:29

Is this needed for a one-off job or something you’ll use for years? How many do you need?

Depending on the answers to these questions, I’d consider modifying a standard clamp to get what you want. eg. cut the parallel bars of a standard-depth clamp and get some extensions welded in*, between the jaws and the bends, to make it deeper.

It would be interesting to know how you’re using them and what for - in case there are other lateral-thinking solutions.

*There are other ways of achieving the extension apart from welding - eg get some galv pipe from Bunnings, cut it to the lengths you need, poke the cut arms into each end of the pipe pieces and put bolts through the pipe and the cut arms inside, to secure the arms inside the pipe.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

tweake

2348 posts

Uber Geek

#3354106 14-Mar-2025 19:18

notice in the pic that the threaded rod is on an angle. it will line up when it flexes. the problem with deep clamps is they need to be very heavy to resist flexing, or it flexes to much and you can't get enough pressure. same issue with extending standard clamps. that can be ok if you only need light pressure.

otherwise make your own with some heavy wall tubing or square stock etc.

gedc

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3354107 14-Mar-2025 19:22

Hey...Thanks for the ideas. Primarily used for levelling playfield inserts on a pinball machine. Basically plastic inserts in the wooden playfield which have bulbs behind them. Over time - 20 years + they can rise out of the playfield slightly so the ball hits them, doesn't run true etc..

Just like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DheStd82J5s&t=75s

tweake

2348 posts

Uber Geek

#3354115 14-Mar-2025 19:56

sounds like low pressure. extending standard ones will probably work just fine.

neb

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#3354118 14-Mar-2025 20:27

Another option would be a wedge clamp, so bolt together a heavy-duty-enough U-shaped construction so it won't move, then insert two wedges at the location where you need to apply pressure and press them together with a clamp or hammer them so they press against the side of the U-shaped frame.

If that's not making any sense I can post a rough diagram.

eracode

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#3354119 14-Mar-2025 20:27

gedc:

Hey...Thanks for the ideas. Primarily used for levelling playfield inserts on a pinball machine. Basically plastic inserts in the wooden playfield which have bulbs behind them. Over time - 20 years + they can rise out of the playfield slightly so the ball hits them, doesn't run true etc..

Just like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DheStd82J5s&t=75s

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

hsvhel

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#3354122 14-Mar-2025 20:56

Any chance you could adapt a weld table clamp?

https://www.machineryhouse.co.nz/w08301

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nitro

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Ultimate Geek

#3354356 16-Mar-2025 10:14

The ToolShed seems to have C-Clamps of different sizes - https://www.thetoolshed.co.nz/tag/3-type/value/612-c-clamp. Not sure if this will suit your purpose.

gedc

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3354462 16-Mar-2025 22:04

Yeah. Saw them recently. I think they would certainly do the job. I was going to have a play and see the clamping force but should be more than enough. The throat is about 25cm so might be a little short to reach middle of the playfield comfortably but would certainly do the inserts closer to the side. Thanks again