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Alumanutz · 08-07-2008, 02:13 PM

I won this on Ebay. Just bidding on anything starting with Cleco. I was expecting the spring type. The air tool has a hex drive inside the nose that grips the nut and tightens it. I was hoping that Uwe or Aerowood could tell me what this is.

John.

HowieE · 08-07-2008, 02:24 PM

Did you pay more than $.99?

Is the tool rotary or impact? If impact the springs in the bits suggest some form of concrete drill.

AirsDream · 08-07-2008, 03:04 PM

Most interesting. Looks like a more "heavy-duty" sort of Cleco that screws tight instead of using the traditional springs and pliers-type installer. What size hole do they fit? Wonder if they're for thicker-skinned aluminum aircraft construction ... I do know that there are Clecos that use hex nuts (and some wing nuts) to draw them tight, as opposed to the traditional spring types.

Alumanutz · 08-07-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

Did you pay more than $.99?

Is the tool rotary or impact? If impact the springs in the bits suggest some form of concrete drill.

The tool is rotary. There are no springs on the clecos. As you tighten the nut it pull the two fingers back along the center shaft and into the body. Its almost like if you were to place a sheet of al on a piece of thicker metal and needed the extra lenth.

And as a matter of fact, my bid of .99 won but I also had shipping.

RBolton · 08-07-2008, 04:32 PM

Look at this catalog http://www.monogramaerospace.com/fil...%20Catalog.pdf

I think it shows and explains the fasteners you have.

Roger

Aerowood · 08-07-2008, 04:47 PM

Those are 5/32 draw clecos. They work on the same principle as the spring type but can clamp a greater thickness with greater clamping pressure. The tool is most likely a cleco driver for the ones with a hex nut on top. I just use an air ratchet for the hex style and an air ratchet that has a modified 7/16 deep socket with notches cut in it for the wing nut style. These are really handy for clamping together things real tight. Be careful though, as to much torque can pull the cleco clean through soft thin material enlarging the hole. This type of cleco is available in a much broader range of sizes and lengths then the manual spring type clecos.

Alumanutz · 08-07-2008, 11:51 PM

Does anybody have a use for these? I don't think I will be needing them! I like the spring type.

Aerowood · 08-08-2008, 09:21 AM

If you feel you have no need for them PM me with price

Alumanutz · 08-08-2008, 12:08 PM

Aerowood, If you make a contribution to the VAP, I will send it all to you and pay the postage! Let me know.

NUTZ

Minnie's Mate · 08-08-2008, 12:14 PM

Question: What's a cleco?

AirsDream · 08-08-2008, 01:47 PM

Cleco is a brand name, now become somewhat generic (like "Kleenex" for "tissue") for a type of temporary fastener used to hold e.g. two pieces of aluminum in place for final assembly by methods such as riveting. Like on an Airstream or aluminum aircraft. Drill a hole through both pieces, insert Cleco. It clamps the two pieces together. Drill another hole, etc. Then as you rivet, you remove a Cleco, insert a rivet, etc. Almost impossible to get good riveted seams without something like Clecos.

Minnie's Mate · 08-08-2008, 02:11 PM

I think I have seen them in photos. I always wondered what they were. They looked like a series of brass pegs in the holes.

Alumanutz · 08-08-2008, 08:27 PM

I have yet to hear from Aerowood. Anybody else interested at the same terms? I will still give Aerowood first shot but only until tomorrow. Its my way to help out a good program!

NUTZ

Aerowood · 08-08-2008, 09:48 PM

If someone else wants them speak up. I already have an obscene amount of clecos. Somebody else that doesn't have any already, speak up.

Kip

Frank's Trailer Works · 08-09-2008, 05:59 AM

I now have a ton of spring loaded ones in various sizes.... kind offer. I will donate to the VAP regardless.

tphan · 08-09-2008, 08:53 AM

OK, I'll ask the dumb question: why install a cleco rather than the rivet itself, drilling/installing one at a time? I mean, if you're drilling all those holes anyway, aren't you kind of committed? From someone who has never used one of these things, just wondering....

Aerowood · 08-09-2008, 09:25 AM

They are used as temporary clamps while other tasks are being done that require the structure to be taken apart again. I often take a skin off and put it back on a dozen times until I'm positive that it's fit is proper, and is ready to be shot on permanently.

Alumanutz · 08-11-2008, 07:44 PM

The cleco's and driver were claimed by Jim Clark of LA. Thanks Jim for the contribution to the VAP

NUTZ

Distantdrummer · 08-13-2008, 11:50 AM

I knew what Cleco's were, but what's the VAP ?
And why does it need contributions?

utee94 · 08-13-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Distantdrummer

I knew what Cleco's were, but what's the VAP ?
And why does it need contributions?

VAP = Vintage Airstream Podcast.

http://www.thevap.com/

Hosted by forum member Tim Shephard (Safari Tim), and with panel pros Rob Baker (robandzoe) and Colin Hyde, it's full of all kinds of Airstream talk. Usually vintage, but they discuss it all.

It needs donation because Tim incurs production and web hosting costs, but does the show voluntarily out of the kindness of his heart because he loves Airstreams.

You should definitely check it out.