They were right Oetiker clamps are amazing

MarinerMan · Post by **MarinerMan** » 30 Sep 2025, 05:38

Y’all. I work on ships. We use thousands of hose clamps. Double clamps if below the water line. And I have thousands of the most beautiful, stainless steel, German made, stamped-not-pierced hose clamps one could want. The kinds that the edges have been deburred so you don’t cut yourself. The kinds that fit the hose so you don’t have a tail to catch your clothing.

But this week… we had to replace hoses spec’s for Oetiker clamps. We have an antique “made in W. Germany” Knipex ear clamp tool. It crimps on the face or the side, depending on access. Holy smokes. These things are great. Right on the money the first time. Beauty to use, and a clean install.

So here is the question. (To prove this isn’t off topic) is there anything that can’t use ear clamps? The spring clamps for the drain hoses I get. You want to be able to pop them off and reuse after cleaning the leaf clogs and such. For for vacuum tubes, radiator hoses, and power steering (probably other things, too) with irritating hose clamps that never seem to stay as tight as the first install, is there anything that can’t be an ear clamp?

Post by **abscate** » 30 Sep 2025, 08:16

Im a pretty big fan and use them everywhere I can.

Some exceptions -

Vacuum lines (often not needed as vacuum suctions line on. Just make rubber is still pliable and a no clamp is needed. Exception is when you slightly oversize line for one of the rubber to hard nylon lines like the P80 purge line - then an oetiker saves the day)

Turbo valve control lines - small band clamps

COwl drains - noted above.

Hint - you can store a spare oetiker on the hose inboard of the clamp in case you do have to remove one on the road, and tighten with dikes or wire cutters.

MarinerMan · Post by **MarinerMan** » 30 Sep 2025, 08:32

abscate wrote: ↑30 Sep 2025, 08:16 Hint - you can store a spare oetiker on the hose inboard of the clamp in case you do have to remove one on the road, and tighten with dikes or wire cutters.

This is the smartest thing I have seen. I always add an extra belt or two on machinery to do quick swaps. Never thought about fasteners. This guy thinks.