Ernest,

The spring clamp is one of those unfortunate devices, it would be better if these things would just fail outright and be done with. Worm type clamps are VASTLY better. The ring/spring clamp is at its best when resisting being taken off! They are most often overcome when hit with a pressure spike. They will RELEASE (spring remember!) when they see higher pressures. They DO cut into the hose. They will work OK when properly sized but worm type clamps are better in every application where you don't want things to come off, and the end of the tube is beaded. They still exist for 2 reasons, 1 they are cheap, and 2 they are quick to install on a production line. (read they are cheap) I would never put one on MY airplane, but you can if you want.
Bill Jepson


-----Original Message-----
From: Ernest Christley <echristley@nc.rr.com>
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Sent: Mon, 8 Oct 2007 6:42 am
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Hose clamp myth busters

Lehanover@aol.com wrote: 
> > Spring clams? Shame on you. 
> > 
> Why? 
 
Al mentioned the small area possibly damaging the hose, but they are easily had that are made from flat spring. They are used in everything from cars to washing machines, providing years of service without even a seeping of water. When I try to get one off that has been on for a few years, it is generally a fight to remove the clamp, then it's generally a no-holds-barred brawl to get the hose off the nipple. I've never seen one fail by letting go or cutting the hose in any the junkers that I've driven or been responsible for keeping up over the years. 
 
Considering that the laws of physics don't change just because the wheels leave the ground, what mechanism will make the spring clamps let go in an airplane when they don't let go in any of the other situations? 
 
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