Finds: A Hose Clamp Tool
By Chuck Cage
Here’s something I wish I’d run across long ago: a tool that grabs those squeeze-type factory hose clamps and allows you to apply smooth pressure to them with a screw. I’ve always just cut them when they’re hard (read: near impossible) to remove and replaced them with a screw-type — with the screw positioned properly for good access. But with this tool should allow non-destructive removal in a much wider variety of situations.
It’s a simple and great idea: just slide the clamp ends into the slot, trapping one of them in the hole (at the right in the picture above), then torque down the screw. The knob is knurled for finger-tightening, but it’s also got standard 1/4″ square-drive connection so you can turn it with a ratchet — or an air tool.
The manufacturer, Steck, offers two sizes: large and small. Both MSRP for $30, and Steck also offers a $55 2-pack containing both. We found the large version via Froogle and Amazon for more like $24.
Personally, I’ll have one of these as soon as it ships.
Hose Clamp Tool [Steck]
Street Pricing [Froogle]
Buy It Now from Amazon
March 2nd, 2007 at 10:30 am
Now THIS is a find! I didn’t even know I needed this, but now I don’t know how I lived without it. Or how my knuckles survived.
March 2nd, 2007 at 10:41 am
I think that this one is worth the price–like Stitch said–I never knew that it existed but every time I scraped my knuckles or dropped a clamp I would have loved it. This one goes onto my Amazon wishlist.
March 26th, 2007 at 11:25 am
[...] We love our hose clamp tool for getting at tough-to-reach factory spring-type hose clamps, but it’s a bit slow — and a bit of overkill — if the clamp’s easily accessible. If you can actually see the tabs on the clamp, spring clip pliers like these will pop it right off in seconds. [...]