'Ball joint clamps' - ?

In the latest Warco advert (No 4551, page 73, bottom right) they show angle-type clamps for milling etc, with the title 'Ball Joint Clamps'. But, they only list them to match 12mm studs, and this is bigger than I need.

Questions:

1. Are they available in smaller sizes and where from?

2. Is this the name for them that any other supplier will understand? If not, what do I ask for? I don't want offers of devices to take car steering apart.

Any clues, anyone?

Thanks, Tim

Tim,

Something like this ?

http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?WD=joint%20clamp%20ball&PN=TOGGLE%2dCLAMP%2dHOLD%2dDOWN%2dCLAMP%2dFOR%2d12MM%2dT%2dSLOT%2d%2d346469%2ehtml#SID=142

Yes, something, but with much more of a bend in the middle. But now I come to look closely at the design, I could make some from overhead valve rockers if only I could find the right engine to cannibalise ...

Thanks, Tim

There used to be a rep call on me when I was working selling "Lensky" ?? (name and spelling ?) clamps of that design. May be worth a google.

It has similarities to one half of a kant twist clamp which are made in a simpler way with pairs of shaped sheet and rotating cross members.

Lenzkes is the brand Chris Evans is thinking of. Nice kit but price is second mortgage territory. Worth looking at the full range of kit for inspiration. Some very well thought out gear.

I'm unconvinced as to the absolute need for a ball joint for the stud to go through. I'd have thought that a simple drilled cylinder in through holes or half cylinder with a flat for the nut to sit on would work well enough. Sheet side members and pivoting pads in KantTwist or Crab clamp style as suggested by pgk pgk would seem best way to approach a home brew. Certainly the way I intended to do the job when thinking I needed a set. As it turned out £ "very reasonable" got me something that managed just fine so I never tried.

If I recall correctly the old Vauxhall slant 4 engine rocker arms were on ball joints so might be suitable as a basis for conversion if such could be found.

Clive.

Thanks for the memory jog Clive. The rep was a nuisance he would send in a box of clamps for us to try and weeks later call in to see how we liked them. After hearing the price they stayed in the box to return to him.

Revisiting an old thread here. Just had the latest offer sheet from MSC they list "Interstate Forged Adjusta-Clamps" From £14.99 plus vat. These may be what we where talking about.

The engine was derived from the Buick V8 over in the US.....commonly found in the Viva/Firenza/Magnum models 1.6-2.3 litre sizes, also the Victor/Ventora and the Bedford van series....so plenty to look for in the scrappies if there are any left.....