The Sheet Metal Shop .Com

Kinks - Cleco Fasteners

LeadHead - Oct 15, 2006 - 03:30 PM
Post subject: Cleco Fasteners

I'm browsing online and I run across a couple of references to cleco pliers and cleco fasteners. I'm looking at these things and can't for the life of me figure out how they work or why I would want them. I bet some one here can clarify this for me though!

bordontn - Oct 16, 2006 - 12:16 AM
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LeadHead .......those are used to hold sheet metal panels together so they can be welded..like on an auto.1/8" dia. and are temporary..after tack welding ,remove your cleco fastener...www.eastwood.com
bordontn

Anonymous - Oct 17, 2006 - 04:34 AM
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To understand how they work, basically it's like a removeable rivit. There's a wedge in the middle of 2 "hooks"... or rather slim pieces of metal with a bump on the end. Anyway, that wedge slides up inside the body when you squeeze the button down (with the pliers). When you release it the spring inside forces the wedge between the metal things with a bump (technical term there lol).

They have their uses, and they are the best thing in the world for hanging a race car body. They do also come in 3/16".

marky - Oct 17, 2006 - 03:09 PM
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These fasteners are ,or were used a lot in the aircraft industry to hold panels onto the air frame before rivetting ,dont know if they still are . Marky

Bozak - Mar 27, 2007 - 12:40 AM
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We use them still in the Navy, in 1/8" and in 3/16" for fitting jobs in the shop prior to installation in ships/subs. Great time saver as long as you don't put a lot of load on them.

tincrusher - Jun 30, 2007 - 06:46 AM
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Yes, cleco's are still widely used in the aircraft industry.

rothalion - Jul 06, 2007 - 04:48 AM
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They are not permenant(sp) though... correct? I want the type that is used for simply clamping edges together....actually for me I am not sure that they would work. I might have limited use for them. I want to try though....

tincrusher - Jul 06, 2007 - 06:07 AM
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rothalion wrote:

They are not permenant(sp) though... correct? I want the type that is used for simply clamping edges together....actually for me I am not sure that they would work. I might have limited use for them. I want to try though....

Correct, they just temporarily hold the metal in place (keeping your hole allignment) while you are drilling or riveting. Then you remove them when you permenently install your fastener of choice.

They are installed with "cleco pliers" Cleco's and cleco pliers are cheep and are very handy in sheet metal assembly. A pair of clamps or vise gripes works also, but since cleco's are installed directly in your holes, they are much better at keeping your hole allinenment.

They also make cleco clamps. which are small clamps that are installed using cleco pliers and are for clamping edges, but you can use any clamps for this.

Also, there are "Draw Cleco's", which are cleco's that are installed by hand and tightened down by an attatched wing nut (no cleco pliers needed). These are slower to install but give far better clamping pressure. It's used for drawing metal in tight - when a regular cleco isn't strong enough.

Cleco's come in four basic sizes. (The four sizes basic to the aircraft industry) I can't remember the sizes off hand, but I can find out easy enough, if you want.

Buy some, they are cheep, easy to use, and very handy. You won't regret it. I promise.....

rothalion - Jul 07, 2007 - 01:42 AM
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Thanks I will get some.

steve2 - Jul 12, 2007 - 01:06 AM
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I agree absolutely! I recently got some and have found them to be about as handy as a pocket on a shirt.

tintailoruk - May 16, 2008 - 05:37 PM
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Cleco clips are very good, when you get them with the pliers it will be self explanotaty, I use them when putting kitchen hoods together, instead of either pop riveting or using self tapping screws they are very efficient, no more drilling out pop rivets and no more fartarsing about with self tapping screws, in the UK we have similar avedale clips but instead of pliers the comressing of the captive hook is by a thread and thumb nut, 10/10 for Cleco

steve2 - May 16, 2008 - 09:17 PM
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Here is a much cheaper place to get clecoes. They have a large and varied selection of sizes and types.

http://www.yardstore.com/browse.cfm/4,4609.htm

And here's another place that is also cheaper than the aforementioned

http://www.browntool.com/category.asp?P ... 8CLECOS%29

Whew! that is one long URL!! But copy and paste it into your browser. These guys have alot of sheet metal stuff at good prices. All of the types of clecoes mentioned in the thread so far.

SCHOONER - Jun 26, 2008 - 07:33 AM
Post subject: Which -R- Better

steve2 wrote:

I agree absolutely! I recently got some and have found them to be about as handy as a pocket on a shirt.

Hi Steve2

Tell me Steve2 which Cleco Fasteners are better ?

I'm doing a patch panel replacement on my lower front fender. And need some extra hands.

I never use Clecos -B-4

Aren't they 4 over-lapping sheet metal joints?
Help me out here will yah.

So I drill 1/4' holes to place the Clecos in Right?
I tighten-'em up (somehow) and bring my 2 pieces of s/mental together.
Now, once I mig tac the 2 pieces together and then I take out the Clecos somehow~Right?

And I left with the holes from the Clecos to somehow weld-up with a copper backing plate.

Seems like a lots of extra work !
Don't you think I'm better off BUTTING THE JOINT and not using the CLECOS ?

Like I say -B-4 I never use these fasteners I'm just kinda guessing.
Need you advice/suggestions.

Thank You Steve2
GOD BLESS

Schooner Cool

bordontn2 - Jun 27, 2008 - 06:33 PM
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SCHOONER................intergrip panel clips from
www.eastwoodco.com item #19016 for butt welding..
They clamp and align your panels @ .040" between them
bordontn2

SCHOONER - Jun 27, 2008 - 11:21 PM
Post subject: Some Crazy Questions On ~ Butt Wedling / Over-lapping Joint

bordontn2 wrote:

SCHOONER................intergrip panel clips from
www.eastwoodco.com item #19016 for butt welding..
They clamp and align your panels @ .040" between them
bordontn2

Hi "bordontn2"

Thanks 4 your reply. However, I did have those clips. I haven't use 'em YET.

Some Crazy Questions If U have the time.

I haven't YET done any Over-Lapping Sheet Metal Joint or Butt Joints YET.

If you have can you help straighten me out of some crazy thoughts about thee above joint please.

I have to repair on both side (lower part) of my two front fenders. On my '66 Mustang Convert.

Here we go!

1. In your opinion which is the BETTER JOINT 4 my fender repairs;
Over-lapp Joint or Butt Weld Joint ?

2. If I go with an Over-lapping Joint at the finish of the joint, don't I still need to use BONDO ? To smooth out the joint ?

3. If I Butt weld the joint; don't I still need to use BONDO ?
Don't get me wrong I don't have anything against BONDO, I just want to know the begining and ending process of completing a welded joint.

4. From what I've been reading about Butt Joints. After tacking nice and easy and watch not to get the joint 2 HOT. I'm to grind down what I just welded! So what will be holding the joint I thought?
It would be the inside of the joint that goes thru to the other side. Correct?

5. Further. The joint has been spot welded and cooled all the way thru the joint. And now I grind it being careful NOT TO grind into the new patch panel. Lastly, I go over the seam with BONDO, and then sand the joint nice n smooth. Correct me please if I'm wrong.

Over-lapping a joint I'm not worried about.

If you can address each of the 5 questions or any of you our GREAT GUYS I certainly would APPRECIATE IT.

Thank You
GOD BLESS

Schooner Cool

QUOTE: The more " i " surrender the more " i " win.

bordontn2 - Jun 30, 2008 - 01:58 AM
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Schooner........there's also a tool that will offset your lower piece so you can overlap them
and still have your panels flush. I can't see getting around using Bondo at some point.......
(not a body man)just read too much! bordontn2

green.dm - Sep 04, 2008 - 05:44 PM
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If you just want to clamp edges together, cleco clamps will do the job.