Mounting clamps for a pedestal

[HiddenHand]

Our first boat is an S2 9.2 center cockpit, and we’re trying to clean and renew some wood before launching in a few months. The teak cupholder is attached to the pedestal guard poles with two cheapo clamps that are causing oxidation. (Galvanic corrosion maybe?) I think the guard poles are 1 1/8”.

Similar clamps are holding a solar panel on the aft guard rail and they’re quite rusty.

I’d like to replace them with stainless steel fittings, with plastic or vinyl (or electricians tape) where the clamps contact the pedestal guard.

Any ideas on what to replace them with? Edson sells nifty clamps that cost more than $50 each. I was hoping to spend less than $300 for 6 clamps! Someone suggested that I try motorcycle handle bar clamps, and they do seem more reasonably priced.

I’d appreciate your suggestions.

David
Hidden Hand, Brooklyn, NY

Here is the old clamp

It was holding the cupholder, which I'm trying to renew.

And this seems like a great fitting, but they are over $50 a piece.

 

[centerline]

Very strong lifetime Delrin (plastic) clamps are easy to make if you have basic wood working tools....
Im on my phone now and dont know how to redirect you to a link, but.if you check out my albums titled mac 25 and cal 34 you can see the clamps i make...there is no downside to the delrin.

 

[HiddenHand]

Those self-made clamps look great! For various reasons (tools in Arizona, boat in NY, and too many projects too little time) I'd rather buy ready made clamps. Does anyone make them with Delrin? Thanks for the helpful suggestion!

 

[Tom G P-21]

For the price of one of those edson clamps you can buy 2 Johnson add a cleats, use the base and throw away the cleat. When I used mine , for a cleat, I put a piece of inner tubing inside it.

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|2259971|2709020&id=2605658

Just saw the Barton cleat, nylon base, again throw away the cleat. Never used this one.

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|2259971|2709020&id=2561719

 

[Ted]

You may be able to adapt these clamps for your project. Check your pedestal guard diameter again. Most are 7/8" or 1" diameter.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/lifesling--lifesling-rail-mount-kit--8106692?recordNum=65

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?54905

 

[Terry Cox]

Made a teak one for our boat several years ago. No clamps needed and works great. Slides on and off easily. Article with photos here: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=7554&mn=42

 

[DayDreamer41]

This place has a great selection
http://www.rodholderdepot.com/store/show_product/?product_id= 1098168924
But not cheap

 

[njlarry]

MacMaster Carr, online has stainless steel ring clamps for just a couple of bucks. You can use two to clamp down on a wood, plastic or metal u shaped bracket that fits around the rail. Will try to find a pic to post tomorrow.

 

[centerline]

Those self-made clamps look great! For various reasons (tools in Arizona, boat in NY, and too many projects too little time) I'd rather buy ready made clamps. Does anyone make them with Delrin? Thanks for the helpful suggestion!

There are some made from delrin, but mostly special purpose and very expensive...

There are "Rail Clamps" (do an internet search) that are available made from nylon or starboard which may work good for your needs, but the clamps made from these materials are not as strong as delrin. (Although the glass reinforced nylon products are pretty tough)... im not saying that you need anything as strong as delrin, but when making your own, use the best material available that can be easily worked..

There are marine grade stainless clamps available also, but they cost more... and beware because not all stainless is marine quality material.

 

[seadaddler]

Home Depot electrical department has many different plastic size U clamps that can
be used with some stainless screws or bolts and so much cheaper.
Nick

 

[LeslieTroyer]

I used these clamps for the exact same purpose. I have a 1 1/4 guard.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...gleBaseChild&gclid=CNC4i6rg_dACFcVgfgodn5IExQ

 

[HiddenHand]

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and help, and Terry Cox beautiful work! I'm kind of leaning toward a stair bannister bracket at home depot for $1.86 each. They're not what I wanted, and will rust out quickly, but at that price I can change them twice a season for the next decade and come out ahead, compared to the Edson or kuryakyn clamps that are $25 to $52. What would really be amazing is if I can find some stainless steel bannister brackets! I'll keep looking (since I have until April to get the table, cupholder, and solar panel remounted). Any other ideas are much appreciated!

 

[quadrille38]

Check out Zarcor http://www.zarcor.com/products/order-rail-clamps.php
Rail clamps at $12.50 each
Way better than fighting rust.

John at Zarcor is a fabulous guy who develops terrific products.

 

[Tom G P-21]

For inexpensive stainless hardware check Marine Parts Depot. Mostly Chinese SS knockoffs, I wouldn't use for critical parts like standing rigging but for other applications they might have something you could use. See the rail mount hinge in the link below.

http://www.marinepartdepot.com/newststdehi.html

 

[HiddenHand]

For inexpensive stainless hardware check Marine Parts Depot. Mostly Chinese SS knockoffs, I wouldn't use for critical parts like standing rigging but for other applications they might have something you could use. See the rail mount hinge in the link below.

http://www.marinepartdepot.com/newststdehi.html

Wow, those prices are approaching reasonable! And for holding a table, they ought to be good enough. I'll just wrap electric tape around the guard pipe to prevent galvanic rust. Thank you.

 

[Dave Groshong]

These work well with teak holders:
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?6650

 

[Rick D]

These work well with teak holders:
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?6650

Second what Dave said. I use these clamps for four solar panels, MOB gear and a removable engine hoist. Good gear.

 

[Joetech]

Here's a thought. I am a semi retired Tech guy and I teach part time at a local community college. Right now I am designing some parts for my boat that just aren't make. I design them in a 3D CAD program, take the files to our fab lab and use the 3D printer. I use ABS plastic and the cost is $15 per lbs of material used. I can get a lot of parts out of a pound of material. Maybe you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it but I bet you have some school near you that has a few students that would be up to the challenge and the school has the technology available. My county also has a joint vocational school that likes to challenge their more talented students with real world applications. When I was teaching at a local high school I did the same thing. I'm sure somewhere near you and your boat the same resources are available.
A few years ago I needed a clamp for my pedestal and plastic wouldn't cut it. I looked at clamps for bicycles and motorcycles.
As someone already pointed out a link to brightleds. That brand is mostly for bikes and motorcycles to mount stuff on handle bars etc. Pricing could be better or worse at a website for those markets.