Wire Hose Clamp

I use a Sears Craftsman Pop Rivet tool to make wire hose clamps. I use .040  stainless steel wire. You can use mild steel such as electric fence wire, but you have to be careful and not get it too tight or it will break. I have no idea if other brands of Pop Riveters will work or not.  I learned this by trial and error, but now make most all of my hose clamps, especially on air lines and sprayer lines..


TOOLS NEEDED

Sears Craftsman  Pop riveter (another brand will probably work)

Wire cutters

Pliers

.040 Stainless steel wire (Harbor Freight)



MATERIAL

Hose

hose barb

Step 1:

Cut wire to  approximately 15" long.

Fold it in half

Thread ends through loop

Twist the wire evenly to give the pop riveter a better grip on it

Step 2:

Tighten the wire over the hose making sure it  is straight all the way around and tightens on the barb.  Click the pop riveter, tightening the wire.  Do not over tighten. or you will break the wire.  Judge the tension buy watching the wire squeeze into the hose.  When you get it tight enough, bend the wire straight out to keep it from slipping when you remove the pop riveter.  Now remove the pop riveter 

Step 3:

Cut the wire leaving about 1/4 inch sticking out.

Separate the ends so one will go on each side of the double wire. 

Use same cutters to bend the tips 1/8" down to penetrate the hose so they will not cut you later.

 

Step 4:

Use pliers to bend down the ends and penetrate the hose.

You now have a smooth hose clamp that will not snag on anything.



I have overtightened and broken the wires many times, but after 15 years of using these,I have never had one fail.

I sometimes use two clamps on a very high pressure application.