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Old 08-30-2011, 08:52 PM
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metalformrt metalformrt is offline
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Question Guide me in the use of clecos?

For example, in which cases are used and not
what are the advantages of using
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:06 AM
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Adrian, Clecos were originally used (and still are) primarily in the aviation world for lining up lap joint panels prior to riveting. Still today if you are going to rivet something, clecos are the perfect way to hold the panels together while riveting.

The different sizes are usually a function of what size rivet is required. If you are going to use a 1/8" rivet, drill for and use a 1/8 Cleco.

Ken Burt's vase thread has some good examples of the use of Clecos.

I frequently use them lining up panels prior to scribing for a butt weld. Simply overlap the panels, drill, and insert a Cleco. If you need to shift the panel, just drill a new hole. Obviously you have to weld up the Cleco holes.

I use 1/8" primarily because that's all I have.

I've also seen photos of people drilling through two 1/2" wide by 1" long pieces and using them as a 'clamp' by filing a notch in a butt welded joint. The thin strips of metal hold the panels to be butt welded in position.
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Old 08-31-2011, 05:38 PM
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They work great and can be reused, moved, adjusted. Sometimes screws work better in places where you need a little more holding power, but most of the time cleacos are a good way to go.

I had these in and out more times than I can count.

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Old 08-31-2011, 05:49 PM
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Anyone have a recommended source for inexpensive clecos?
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanGunit View Post
Anyone have a recommended source for inexpensive clecos?
Pretty sure I got mine from Dagger Tools. I just bought the starter kit for small jobs. I use self-taping screws for large projects.
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:25 PM
route56wingnut route56wingnut is offline
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Check out Avery Tools 817-439-8400 ,Family aviation bussiness and great people to deal with .And for .45 per any size I havnt seen any cheaper in my cheap chassing. Dan
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:56 PM
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Ebay is a good source. I bought a hundred last year...turns out the seller was about 5 miles away.
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Old 09-01-2011, 12:04 AM
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Default Cleco's

I've bought mine from Ebay as well. Once rec'd, I take a piece of scrap aluminum, scribe a grid, punch holes at the intersections, and have a good way to keep all the cleco's in one place.

If you are doing a project of size, figure on buying several hundred. I ran out and had to borrow a buddies.

Each size has it's own color. But you also have to look at the grip range just like with pop rivets.

You can use them to hold a panel, and it will go back pretty much in the same place. But I scribe a line if I need to be exact, because there is some slop. I was working on a 12' panel, and that little bit of slop was causing me issues until I realized what was going on.
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Old 09-01-2011, 06:26 AM
Dave Coffey Dave Coffey is offline
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Default Cleco source

Check out the yard store in Wichita Ks just google Yard Store

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Old 09-01-2011, 04:49 PM
David Gardiner David Gardiner is offline
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I would never use clecos to clamp panels that were later to be butt welded, They work fine if you are going to plug weld or rivet but I do not recommend putting holes in your panels that you don't need, having to weld extra holes up will cause distortion you can do without. It is far better to use vice grip type clamps to clamp overlapping panels before marking and you don't need any clamps when actually butt welding sections of panels together.

David
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