Have you met Herbie? Herbie’s a plastic clip that can be used as a hose or wiring clamp. It’s available in different sizes and comes standard in black heat and UV-stabilized nylon 6,6.
Herbie clips are easy to install and remove by hand, and they’re also reusable. Since they’re adjustable, each clip size covers a range of bundle and tubing diameters.
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There is a downside to the convenience of Herbie clips – they lack the strength of metal hose clamps.
When using Herbie clips with tubing, I will sometimes back them up with nylon ties that are well-tensioned with a cable tie tool. But for applications where a leak would be very highly undesirable rather than a nuisance, I opt for heavier duty hose clamps.
Herbie clips are lightweight, inexpensive, and convenient, as well as chemical, temperature, and weather resistant. With smooth inside surfaces, Herbie is typically safe to use on even soft tubing and wiring bundles.
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Prices start at ~$0.20 for the smallest size. Herbie clips are made in the UK, and are available through industrial suppliers and specialty dealers. You can also order from the manufacturer directly, but they require a minimum order of $20.
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Stan
I did some research on this product as I was wondering and I am sure others might be wondering this as well, the country of origin of this the United Kingdom.
This information is available on their main website if anyone is interested.
Interesting concept though.
Jim
“When using Herbie clips with tubing, I will sometimes back them up with nylon ties that are well-tensioned with a cable tie tool. ”
Then why use the Herbie clip at all?
Stuart
Access. There have been times when I couldn’t fit the tools to install spring-loaded or screw-adjustable clamps, but a Herbie clip fit just fine. I was dealing with water loops and electronics, so the added reinforcement was preferred but perhaps not needed.
Jim
Please expand on this. Maybe I am missing something. You cannot get the tools (screwdriver, socket or wrench) into tighten a screw-adjustable clamp. But you have enough access to install and tighten a Herbie clip, then manipulate one or more nylon ties around the tube and then get in and tighten it with a cable tie tool.
Stuart
One time I couldn’t use screw-adjust clamps because the grooves would have cut into the soft tubing, and I didn’t have enough access to use spring clamps on two adjacent connections.
Another time, I couldn’t use metallic clamps, but I didn’t trust a Herbie on its own. I would have used two nylon ties in opposite directions but could only tension one of them. Thus, one Herbie and a nylon tie for backup.
Joseph
For soft hoses, silicone hose clamps work great. No grooves to cut into the hose. Fuel injection hose clamps work well too; they have a much more secure fit, but a narrower size range.
fred
When plumbing was part of the way I earned my living – there was much debate about best practice for connecting pipe and tubing. I’m of an age to have seen a fair amount of plumbing code and plumbing practice change which included transitioning from cast iron bell & spigot drain lines with oakum and caulked lead joints to no-hub (clamps set with a torque-release driver) to plastic pipe. I also worked in locales that once insisted on red brass screwed-fitting water pipe versus sweated fittings on what they insisted was tubing not pipe. When PEX was being introduced there was a bit of debate about what clamping strategies were best for the long haul and to avoid a much dreaded call-back. Oetiker clamps were one option – but we soon learned that tools that provided a calibrated fixed cycle for consistent results were much better than just relying on feel – or trying to use a go-no-go gauge. While I digress – my personal preference has always been the Wirsbo – Uponor system that uses expanders to set the PEX. Back on topic – I would worry about consistently setting and relying on a Herbie Clip to secure tubing under pressure – but could be persuaded if data supported it.
Jerry
I have used these clamps before. I consider them very useful for tying up electrical wiring you want to have secure, yet will be moved or removed. An example would be seasonal farm equipment. You want the wiring harness tied up where it won’t be harmed, but it gets installed/removed at least once a year. I pretty much use them wher I would use a zip tie, but want it removable, and they seem a decent substitute for a zip tie in terms of strength, but lack the wide range of sizes a zip tie can hold.
Richard
Hmm, these are interesting. I’d definitely use them under the hood for wiring and the like, but I can’t say I’d trust them enough for coolant hoses and such.
Price is cheap enough to make me order $20 worth and try them out.
Thanks for sharing this one, Stuart!
Stuart
You’re welcome!
I don’t think I would recommend these for use in an engine bay, but the manufacturer does say they can be used in automotive applications.
joe
I’m going to remember these incase I need some in the future.
There are also some for cables from http://cableclamp.com/…have a couple small ones for home use.
fred
Most Home Depots have a display of these:
http://www.homedepot.com/s/cable%2520cuff?NCNI-5
Steven B
I’ve been using these for years in my liquid-cooled PC. That’s the clamps normally sold on those type of sites. I always use 2 clamps, just to prevent coolant leak if the tube gets snagged or moved when I do work on my PC.
Nick Marques
I have been using this style clamp for years on the water cooling in my PC. These are for tubing often using for food service or aquarium needs too. You can get them in tons of sizes and colors from FrozenCPU.com.
These can be a pain to take off though.
Michael Veach
the pain to remove is the only down side I have found