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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Better panel clamps for butt welding
Posted by: IronHillRestorations Jun 3 2020, 07:30 PM
A customer gave me these. I don’t know if they are still in business. 
They are much better panel clamps than these 
It comes apart and makes it easier if they are a little stuck 
The pin is stainless and the thumb screw has a brass insert, so you don’t have to worry about stripping the threads on the pin
Posted by: dakotaewing Jun 3 2020, 09:52 PM
Can't find them any where else- Maybe someone will have better luck than me?
Posted by: porschetub Jun 3 2020, 10:38 PM
Can't find them any where else- Maybe someone will have better luck than me?
Bought the square ones of Amazon,some say the gap needed to fit them is too much...I will find out when I plate the hole in the front of my car the PO butchered out for front cooler...time will tell
.Anyone know the thickness of the factory sheet metal in this area ?.
Posted by: TargaToy Jun 4 2020, 09:12 AM
I have the square ones too. Had them for years and I *think* they came from Eastwood. There have been times that I've thought the gap they create is too wide but they are not so bad that I have abandoned them. They do make me wish I had 3 hands sometimes when the little square dowel slides out as I'm trying to finesse a panel into place.
Posted by: sixnotfour Jun 4 2020, 01:56 PM
Copper E-Clamps
The Perfect Butt Welding Clamp
https://www.highlandtool.org/
Posted by: BeatNavy Jun 4 2020, 02:05 PM
Copper E-Clamps
The Perfect Butt Welding Clamp
https://www.highlandtool.org/
Wow, those are pretty slick. Not worrying about holding the copper against the back would help my welding significantly.
Posted by: mbseto Jun 4 2020, 02:37 PM
Looks pretty easy to retro fit the regular square ones with a DIY copper bar...
Posted by: TargaToy Jun 4 2020, 02:56 PM
Looks pretty easy to retro fit the regular square ones with a DIY copper bar...
There's a fantastic idea.
Posted by: worn Jun 4 2020, 06:25 PM
mine are like the ones at right. Came from Eastwood.
Posted by: bbrock Jun 4 2020, 06:30 PM
Harbor Freight has the square ones at a fraction of the price Eastwood sells them. I've got sets from both and can't tell them apart. I don't understand the complaint about the gap. Seems pretty much right to me. Would love to get a set of those fancy ones though.
Posted by: IronHillRestorations Jun 4 2020, 07:21 PM
Copper E-Clamps
The Perfect Butt Welding Clamp
https://www.highlandtool.org/
That's cool
Posted by: gereed75 Jun 4 2020, 09:58 PM
Go on YouTube and check out Fitzee’s Fabrications. The guy is amazing. Uses a butt welding panel replacement technique that uses no clamps. In one episode he shows his clamps in a drawer claiming they have been unused for years.
Very clever and skillful guy and very entertaining. He’s the man!
Posted by: euro911 Jun 4 2020, 11:34 PM
Mad skills for sure 
Posted by: BeatNavy Jun 5 2020, 05:55 AM
Go on YouTube and check out Fitzee’s Fabrications. The guy is amazing. Uses a butt welding panel replacement technique that uses no clamps. In one episode he shows his clamps in a drawer claiming they have been unused for years.
Very clever and skillful guy and very entertaining. He’s the man!
I've watched a couple of his clips. I like how he explains and approaches something. His demeanor and (I guess) Irish brogue are also very entertaining. He is the man.
Posted by: IronHillRestorations Jun 5 2020, 06:03 AM
I've seen Fitzee's videos before too. I'd like to see him weld on a set of 914 flairs, to see how he'd approach it.
Posted by: pilothyer Jun 5 2020, 08:44 AM
Looks pretty easy to retro fit the regular square ones with a DIY copper bar...
and quite a bit cheaper 
Posted by: gereed75 Jun 8 2020, 06:37 PM
Just made my first patch panel using the Fitzzee method as seen on YouTube. Took about 1.5 hours and looks fuggin great!
Appears to fit like a champ. Perfectly replicates the original. That is the corner on the front valence on my Datsun 510 race car. Can’t wait to weld it in using his clampless butt welding technique. That guy is incredible.
What amazes me is not only how good this came out, but it is the first patch panel I ever made! Would never been able to do it without Fitzzee videos.
Attached image(s)
Posted by: mbseto Jun 10 2020, 03:06 PM
I like watching that guy. Sounds like a scottish brogue with a little shade of Chicago. Jealous of his I-beam anvil.
Posted by: gereed75 Jun 10 2020, 03:35 PM
I believe he is from Newfoundland.
Posted by: Alain V. Jun 10 2020, 09:03 PM
Great thread guys! I'd never seen Fitzi's videos, and good tip on those clamps too.
I believe he is from Newfoundland.
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