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   Standard "worm gear" hose clamps work very poorly on small diameter

hose. They don't clamp uniformly, biting and gouging the hose and leave

a lot of their excess ribbon "hanging in the breeze".  The smallest size

available is too large for 3/8" Tygon. I quickly decided they were

unacceptable for clamping the Tygon fuel tubing on my Lancair. With a

little research, I found an excellent clamp for small diameter hose.

It's a Stepless, SS(stainless steel), cushioned , "Ear Clamp", made by

Oetiker, Inc., a leader in the industry. They are about 3/8" wide and

exert a nice, uniform squeeze all-around.  Their part # 15400022 fits

3/8" Tygon tubing. In order to squeeze the clamp properly, you need

their "Pincer", part # 1098. You will likely only need 16 - 20 for

initial construction and maybe a few more each year for tubing

replacements, wing removal, etc. The pincers cost $ 18.00 and the clamps

are 45 cents/ea. They can be ordered directly from Oetiker customer

service at (800) 959-0398 with a $ 50.00 minimum, so that you would

receive about 80 clamps, which will last a few years. When calling their

customer service number, you might first ask to speak with Jack Gleason,

especially if you have other tubing sizes. He is very helpful and happy

to answer all questions.



                                     Bill Rumburg

                                     N403WR  (Sonic Boom)