On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:22:48 -0600, John Keith wrote:

On 24 Apr 2007 13:39:54 -0700, Lawrence
wrote:

It is also possible to make a clamp or spreader of any length since
the pipe can be cut to order and the pipes can also be threaded to
each other to make a really long clamp. There are nicer clamps for
woodworking but none as cheap or versatile as the pipe clamps. I only
suggested it as a gentle way to close a problem window. I would not
expect that they remain in place after use. They need not be
"pleasing" if they are in storage. Good luck with all.


Neat, I had never thought of reversing the parts of a piple clamp to
turn it into a "spreader". Good idea. SO I see two problems with pipe
clamps:

- turning the handle while next to the window would not be possible

Don't know about pipe clamps, but some bar clamps have squeeze handles
that cause them to move.

- the pipe is heavy and the homeowners could not hold them long enough
to get them clamped into place

Again, a flat bar is lighter than a 1 1/2 inch galvanized pipe, and
the rest of the parts are often plastic. Mostly on this I know about
Harbor Freight clamps.

But I should look at the clamps that are available these days and see
if they might work. I've not used these (wife thinks I have enough
tools and the current pipe clamps don't need to be replaced.) Don't
these newer clamps have some trigger/rachet mechanism?

Some. The 18 inch clamp does, that I bought because it was on sale
and cost maybe a dollar, but probably isn't long enough for this
application.

I'm not sure if one could just take flat stock to make a longer clamp
(if they're clever they would have used an unusual size to prevent
this) but they probably sell long enough for your purpose.

I think open windows are great, and closed windows are great when it's
cold out.

John Keith