Ideas on how to make up a G-Clamp Swivel Foot

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

I have recently acquired a couple of small (1.5" throat) G-clamps fitted with an 8mm dia screw which need to be reduced in overall length in order to fit under my limited height milling table. The obvious way of achieving this is to shorten the screw from the tommy bar end but it has prompted the thought as to just how one might go about making up a replacement screw complete with a new swivel foot. Has anyone had a go at making up their own swivel feet?

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Yes ! I made a batch up a while ago for some much bigger record clamps. Used something like 1"round bar, Machined the shape and bored a hole to fit the ball end. This bit was the length of the ball diameter and of a suitable thickness, maybe 1mm. Part off, fit on ball and peen over the edge to keep it on the ball. Hacksawing 2 or 3 slots may be needed to get the peening to work. Good luck, Noel.

[Mike HurleyParticipant @mikehurley60381]

Same as Noel, did several a while back pretty much the same method. Don't forget, the peened over bit doesn't need to be excessive or a precise fit – as long as the foot is retained, that's all you need.

regards

[Robert DoddsParticipant @robertdodds43397]

Hi,

I cheated.
I used some nylon bar, drilled out 8 thou less than the ball diameter and then used a round nose boring tool to make a snug fit for the ball end. Conventional shape for the rest of it and then part off. It has the added advantage of not marking the job.

Regards Bob D

[HOWARDTParticipant @howardt]

You could put a saw cut across the socket to make crimping easier.

[Nick WheelerParticipant @nickwheeler]

I've made new feet for several acquired G-clamps, as above.

But I see no need to bore the hole, or do anything fancy for the bottom. I just use a normal drill bit to make the hole a sloppy fit over the ball at the end of the screw and peen the new part in place.

[Joseph Noci 1Participant @josephnoci1]

Surely the foot is simple – I would think the ball on the screw end is more problematic since it was asked how to make that as well- for those without ball-turning jigs..

 

Edited By Joseph Noci 1 on 19/09/2021 08:42:11

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

I made several for a vice clamp, used a form tool to make the ball then made foot to suit with a drilled , nothing fancy. Do make sure the “neck” on the ball is long enough so the foot does not foul when it swivels. To hold in place close the clamp onto a suitable piece of material then with the material held in the bench vice peen over the end of the foot. I just gave a couple of strikes with a punch on either side but you can work around the top for abetted looking finish

John

[Nick WheelerParticipant @nickwheeler]

Posted by Joseph Noci 1 on 19/09/2021 08:41:25:

Surely the foot is simple – I would think the ball on the screw end is more problematic since it was asked how to make that as well- for those without ball-turning jigs..

It's only for a clamp; by the time you've setup a ball turner you could have roughed out and filed a perfectly adequate ball.

[Joseph Noci 1Participant @josephnoci1]

Posted by Nicholas Wheeler 1 on 19/09/2021 11:35:30:

Posted by Joseph Noci 1 on 19/09/2021 08:41:25:

Surely the foot is simple – I would think the ball on the screw end is more problematic since it was asked how to make that as well- for those without ball-turning jigs..

It's only for a clamp; by the time you've setup a ball turner you could have roughed out and filed a perfectly adequate ball.

True…

[egaParticipant @ega]

Perhaps worth mentioning that some consider that G cramps work quite well without swivel feet.

[Nick WheelerParticipant @nickwheeler]

Posted by ega on 19/09/2021 16:34:50:

Perhaps worth mentioning that some consider that G cramps work quite well without swivel feet.

I've got a couple without swivel feet.

Once I grow several more hands, they might work well enough to be useful.

Being able to make new feet for them means you can rescue ones that have been thrown away. I always do this with any that I find, but some people do manage to bend or twist the bodies which does make them scrap.

[File HandleParticipant @filehandle]

Some time ago I made one for a 9" record. A bit crude but soldered a piece of copper to a short length of plumping copper pipe. The cutting tool for the pipe rounds it over making it a tight fti over the ball. Still in use after many years, didn't expect it to be as durable as it has been.

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