On 1/29/13 6:21 AM, john@kk9a.com wrote:
I have never had an issue with hose clamps galling and I tighten mine
pretty tight.
From: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:45:58 -0500
Although NeneSeize or other lube will prevent SS clamp screws from
galling, putting lube on them is a double edged sword.
Hose clamps? A $1- $2 part? (the entire page in the McMaster-Carr
catalog has no SS316 clamps over $2 each until you get up to some
monster 3-4" units) Galling is something you worry about when you need
to repeatably install and remove the part, or where there is repetitive
motion. Mounting screws going into a tapped hole in an expensive part,
for instance. Steel sparkplugs going into your aluminum head.
Hose clamps aren't really intended to be reused. They're a install
once device (much like a metal zip tie)
If you install the hose clamp, and 10-20 years from now, you decide you
want to take the antenna down, you get out the hacksaw or dremel tool
and cut the clamps off, and say, "well. $0.10/year for each clamp. an
excellent deal"
An exception would be for things like field day antennas or portable
ops.. but there, there's other factors in play.. and non-optimal
clamping is part of the game. If it's a once a year thing, yeah, hose
clamps might the way to go, so might a wrap of duct tape. If it's a
portable rig that you're going to put up and take down once a week or
month then you need a different clamping technique.
I've been casually designing a portable moonbounce/satellite ground
station, and this is something I've been looking at for a number of
years. The clamps used on surveyor's tripod legs are a nice example of
a rugged, quick, fairly strong clamp. Toggle clamps of various types as
well. I haven't found a source for off the shelf bayonet or sleeve type
locking collars (think about air hose fittings or quick disconnect
hydraulic fittings) that match typical tubing sizes.
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