cleco vs panel clamps

Is there a difference in how cleco`s and panel clamps work? or are they the same thing? do they give you the same gap betwen panels. ones expensive and ones cheap.

 

Cleco's mount thru a small hole (1/8") and overlap panels, or to mount a panel to the substructure, The panel clamps set the gap between a repair panel and the original panel, if your doing a resto I would invest in both. Keith

 

I agree! both are great to have! If youre just doing some patch panels, make some panel clamps. There is a feature in the tech section on how to make them for cheap. They are worth it. I made a bunch for less than $5.

Clecos



Panel clamps

 

Oh so you cant use clecos in the same way, to butt joint two sheets together. they would have to overlap. and then you would have to drill holes, like a rivet?

 

Those butt weld clamps set the gap just right for welding 1/4" plate : ) A gap like that in sheet metal makes for more work, and a longer job than a perfectly tight fit.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com

 

Yes. IIRC, clecos were originally designed for use in the aircraft industry where riveted panel joints are common. If you have a line of rivets, you can put clecos in one hole and still reposition the two pieces if the other holes aren't lined up properly. A good rivet job (which is what one hopes is what you will find in aircraft work) is tight enough that won't be able to easily move the two pieces independently.

Also, clecos allows for pieces to be put in place and clearance checked without having to drill our rivets or loosen threaded fasteners.

 

Correct! They are for overlapping panels, primarily used when rivets will be set. They are not for butting two panels together. There has to be an overlapping joint. Think of them as hole alignment pins.

I think you will find the panel clamps to be (in most cases) way more useful, unless you plan on riveting some panels.

EDIT: Sorry about the repeat. Looks like everyone else replied at the same time.

 

Thank you very much for the help guys! that was exactly what I wanted to know. Now I know what to buy.

 

If it's panel clamps you're after look here:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78462&highlight=panel+clamps

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11673&highlight=sheet+metal+clamps

 

Clecos are just temporary rivets.................

 

You might want to reread what John Kelly wrote before you spend a bunch of money.

 

Yea, but what do people suggest as an alternative to holding two sheets together?

I have seen those threads, but it depends how much time and effort im willing to put in.