Muffler clamps

[crazyjim]

You asked for it, so here it is. Muffler clamps made easy. This somewhat altered from the original tutorial from John Anspach at a Florida Auto & Scale Trucks (FAST) meeting.

These are the tools you'll need. Hole punch (I use a Micro-Mark unit), straight edge, scissors, X-Acto knife, single edge razor blade, 24 gauge wire. The clamp material is the easiest and cheapest - a pop can (or soda depending on where you live. Beer cans can probably be used too).

I use 12 gauge aluminum floral wire for exhaust pipes, 1/8" and 5/32" aluminum tubing for mufflers. Cut the can into 1/4" wide strips. At one end, cut a hole. It's easier to cut a hole and then use the scissors to cut half the hole away.

Cut another another hole and then 2 smaller holes for the wire to fit through.

Use the scissors to make another cut across the second hole and you end up with a part that looks likes this.

Use the razor blade and ruler to bend the clamp. This is my version of a PE bender.

After the bend, your clamp should look like this.

Second bend and this should be your result. The ruler I have is the perfect thickness to bend the clamps.

Cut a length of the 24 gauge wire and bend it around the muffler for the correct diameter.

And there it is, ready for installation.

Here they are installed on a '36 Ford I'm building. The end of the exhaust pipe with get another piece of aluminum tubing and more clamps after the fenders dry.

I suppose you could go really bananas and make nuts from some hex rod or use some aftermarket nuts.

[slusher]

That is so cool Jim and looks so realistic..

[Joker]

Thanks for posting this wonderful tip Jim..

I'm grinning ear to ear....LOL

Thank John for us too

[twopaws]

What a great tip, thanks for schooling me Jim.

[PappyD340]

Thanks for the Tute Jim, a great tip that I will use before long!!

[LokisTyro]

Very cool. Thanks for putting this up.

[Darren B]

Very cool and thank you this is a great how to will use for sure....

[crazyjim]

You're very welcome, guys. I asked John for his permission before doing a tutorial. You should see some of the other detail things John does - just amazing. I really like the clamps he makes to hold fuel lines against the frame.

[pharr7226]

Nice tutorial

[grayghost]

That is way cool Jim.

Thanks for your time and work.

[Edward Gore]

Thanks for sharing this.

[John Pol]

great how too how does he make clamps for the fuel lines on the frame would be neat to see that one.

John Pol

[crazyjim]

Glad you folks are enjoying the muffler clamp tutorial.

John - John Anspach makes the clamps from the same aluminum cans that the muffler clamps are made from. They are unbelievably small.

[dmk]

Nice tip! This is one of those details that really grabs my eye.

I need to try this. Thanks for sharing!

[b_lever1]

This something very interesting cool and super idea thanks for sharing this