C1 Rear Spring Band Strap Clamp Tool

[Richard M.]

I was reading my Northern Tool ads and found a 1/2" band clamp tool. Bought it on clearance special for 20 bucks. I had to take it apart to grind and file the teeth to accommodate the repro band clamps. After a little work it did the job.

Pics of the process here.....

http://s684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/richmz/Misc/C1%20Rear%20Spring%20Banding/

Rich

p.s. NT link to tool.....
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...ssearch=143473

[Richard T.]

Re: C1 Rear Spring Band Strap Clamp Tool

Hey Rich, Good deal! I just ordered the tool and will put the spring reline and re band job on the list for this winter. Any other tips for tonsionong the bands before crimping? Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Rear Spring Band Strap Clamp Tool

It took about 30 minutes to figure out the first one. After that about 5-10 min each. Just trial and error.

I pre-bent the bands around the leaves without the rubber insulator first. The repro bands are shorter than originals, but you'll get about 1/4" overlap which will be ok when the clamps are crimped. You don't want them too tight anyways. The book says to leave a little play for movement.

When you take the tool apart it's pretty obvious what goes where but making a diagram may save some time. I had to file each of the 4 grabbers(8 surfaces), to fit the profile of the new clamps which are a little wider than 1/2". I also had to grind the 2 inner crimpers down a bit to make it work. All in all I was very happy with the results. I did it with body off and springs installed and it worked out fine. I just moved the radius rods out of the way for the 3-leaf band which is near the radius rod.

A few close-ups of the tool after the mods below.

Rich

[Gary C.]

Re: C1 Rear Spring Band Strap Clamp Tool

Rich, sounds like a good "how to" article about the Harbor Freight tool, etc. for Vinnie to use in the Restorer. Gary....

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Rear Spring Band Strap Clamp Tool

I'd like to do that but it's just that time thing that always gets in the way. Vinnie pinged me about something else a while ago. Maybe I'll have to add this one too.

[Rod K.]

Re: C1 Rear Spring Band Strap Clamp Tool

Check out your local store if you have one. I just came home with a $13.50 (tax incl) version that was on their clearance shelves. Not the same one Rich got but the same functionally. It'll still require some mods like Rich did to duplicate the original crimp, but it's a long way from $200 for a Signode.

[Pat H.]

Re: C1 Rear Spring Band Strap Clamp Tool

I relined my C-1 Springs at the start of the driving season. One of our members had the Signode 5823 tool which duplicates the original crimping. By the way, when disassembling the spring, chisel off the old clamp and you can re-use your original bands. Just crimp them in a different location. In the judging manual the judges look for the serrated markings on the band and it makes no mention of the clip.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Rear Spring Band Strap Clamp Tool

I removed 5 nice originals and saving them for the future. One was missing. Pics below describe what you stated. Note that the reproduction clips are larger than these 59s' originals. Other than the deteriorated rubber insulators, these bands and clips will clean up nice and can be reused. This car is not going to be judged so the owner is not concerned about these types of details.

My crimp tool does not make the original single crimp, but it could be modified to make the single crimp like the originals pictured. However as mentioned earlier, the repro bands are shorter than the originals so it would be important to get good overlap to get a good crimp. I would imagine the serrations could be added to the repro bands also. Hmmm, maybe a job for my Smithy machine with the knurling tool wheel attachment?

Rich

[Philip P.]

Re: C1 Rear Spring Band Strap Clamp Tool

Rich,
I was looking thru the TDB and came upon this, great information, I am a new member, not new to Corvettes as I have had 3 in my years my latest is a 1960 283/230 4 speed car,
Thanks
Phil Porter

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 Rear Spring Band Strap Clamp Tool

I've made several crimpers to match the original crimping and notching exactly. The most I ever paid for a new one on eBay is $9.25 and the last one I bought for $0.99 was slightly used. No need to shop anywhere else IMHO.

Recently I bought an antique Signode banding tensioner that puts the marks on the bands. Think I paid about $12 for that one. Speaking of which, the marks differ over the years depending on which machine they used on the assembly line. So don't get trapped into thinking they were always the same.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Rear Spring Band Strap Clamp Tool

Hi Phil, Welcome to the group. Great place to learn and share! It took me a while to find the tool and then get it to work, but I have the recipe now.

Ahhh, a '60, nice. Pictures somewhere? I've owned my '59 25 years this year. In fact, yesterday was it's 52nd birthday, March 17, 1959......St Patty's Day.

Rich