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  #1  
Old 08-09-2013, 09:45 PM
Bushwhacker Bushwhacker is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 60
Default Looking at hand squeezers

Looking to purchase a good quality hand squeezer with 3" yoke as suggested by RV. Am looking at a "Texas Hand Squeeze" for $120. Anyone have a squeezer with a 3" yoke that is gathering dust in their garage? Would rather buy a good used tool than a new cheap import.
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  #2  
Old 08-10-2013, 04:37 AM
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JanRV6UK JanRV6UK is offline
 
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Location: England
Posts: 470
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If you are setting 3/32 I suggest you go for the US made TATCO make - its light and easy to work with

http://www.tatco.com/viewcategory.php?groupid=21

If you also need to set 1/8 - then go for the "Big" squeezer made by Cleveland tools

it is bulkier and not so easy to work with one hand .. but it will set 1/8 rivets with no problems (and also do 3/32)
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  #3  
Old 08-10-2013, 05:09 AM
8CW 8CW is offline
 
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Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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Although more expensive, this is the one I bought based on recommendations of those who had tried it. If I had it to do over again, I would buy it again.

http://www.cleavelandtool.com/Main-S.../#.UgYe65LrxmI
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  #4  
Old 08-10-2013, 05:20 AM
rgmwa rgmwa is offline
 
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Location: Perth, Western Australia
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I have a Tatco and it is fine for 1/8" rivets too, but it takes a hefty two-handed squeeze.
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  #5  
Old 08-10-2013, 07:01 AM
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rzbill rzbill is offline
 
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Location: Asheville, NC
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I have a Tatco. At the time of purchase, the Cleveland Main squeeze had just been introduced. It certainly does AD4 size rivets very easily and I came close to buying it. In order to do that, the handle travel has to be increased to get the mechanical advantage and that is a problem in some areas. It is not needed for AD3s which are the vast majority of rivets on an RV.

My recommendation is Tatco with as many different jaws as you can afford and include the quick change pins.

I have the "standard" jaw (1.5" deep I think), a DEEP one (3.5"?), a No Hole, and a longeron (tall, not deep).

As already stated in previous posts, it will squeeze AD4s but it takes a real grip.
About halfway through the build, I bought a couple of big (in diameter and length) hardware bolts that fit snug in the handles as "extensions". It makes AD4s much easier but you can put a heck of a load on the jaws so be careful. At that point it has the mech advantage of the Main Squeeze and also a similar (but different) problem in regards to space requirements for the handles.

Here's an example of innovation that is in many builders future (not this one exactly). I overlooked a pair of rivets and found then late in the build. There was no space for a gun/buck and the squeezer would not reach. And I was still being stubborn about wanting a solid rivet instead of copping out and using a pop rivet.
The parallel jaw clamp was a damaged piece of hardware in my junk pile. This pic shows the longeron yoke

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Last edited by rzbill : 08-10-2013 at 07:07 AM.
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  #6  
Old 08-13-2013, 08:37 PM
ROTARY7 ROTARY7 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 146
Default Main Squeeze I'd sell

I have a brand new condition (squeezed about 10 rivets with it, no kidding) CAT Main Squeeze I'd sell for $180. email me at numatx@att.net if interested.
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  #7  
Old 08-13-2013, 08:49 PM
tdhanson tdhanson is offline
 
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Location: Sacramento, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROTARY7 View Post
I have a brand new condition (squeezed about 10 rivets with it, no kidding) CAT Main Squeeze I'd sell for $180. email me at numatx@att.net if interested.
I sent you an email. I'd like it.
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  #8  
Old 08-14-2013, 08:04 AM
ROTARY7 ROTARY7 is offline
 
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coming your way, tdhanson...
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  #9  
Old 08-14-2013, 09:08 AM
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KCBerner KCBerner is offline
 
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Location: Burleson, TX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 8CW View Post
Although more expensive, this is the one I bought based on recommendations of those who had tried it. If I had it to do over again, I would buy it again.

http://www.cleavelandtool.com/Main-S.../#.UgYe65LrxmI
+1

I use Main Squeeze over pneumatic 100% of the time. I like the control I have with it.
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  #10  
Old 08-15-2013, 09:01 AM
ROTARY7 ROTARY7 is offline
 
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Location: Dayton, OH
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KCBerner View Post
+1

I use Main Squeeze over pneumatic 100% of the time. I like the control I have with it.
But it does require you have the part mounted in a vise, or otherwise stabilized (on the plane). With a powered squeezer, you can hold the part in one hand, and hold the squeezer in your other hand. You can then rotate the part around in your one hand, as you quickly go from rivet to rivet (e.g. -a bracket). Not so for hand held riveters, since you will need to put the squeezer down, and reposition the part in the vise, or reposition your body around the table (for example).

Someone has yet to make a one-handed hand-held squeezer. As far as control goes, once you dial in a powered squeezer for a given rivet size/material (via a test, or by experience), it is very repeatable.

The hydraulic unit CAT is now selling (licensed from me) or my units are slightly slower and VERY controllable compared to pneumatic only units.

Nonetheless...the Main Squeeze is a great unit, and if you are getting what you need done with it, then that is all that really matters.
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