“Jubilee” is actually an example of a brand name that has become synonymous with a type of product, in this case a style of hose clamp. In this article, we’ll refer to them as they’re most commonly known.
Hose clamps are designed to secure a hose over a fitting, such as a spigot or barb, acting as a seal to prevent fluid from leaking at the connection. They also stabilize the hose connection. They’re predominantly used in the plumbing and automotive industries but are also used in other applications and to prevent leaks during the transport of liquids, chemicals and gases.
There are three main hose-clamp types:
Plastic hose clamps
The ratcheting teeth interlock to provide a strong, secure. These can be installed quickly by hand and squeezed with pliers to tighten the grip. Sometimes referred to as a snap grip, snapper or herbie grip, these hose clamps are made of plastics. Nylon is an excellent choice, as it’s strong while providing flex for easier closure. Economical, lightweight and reusable.
Applications and industries:
Worm-drive hose clamps
These hi-torque worm clamps are the style meant when referring to jubilee clips. They feature a helical-threaded screw, or worm gear, which is housed in the clamp. When the screw is turned, it acts like a worm drive pulling the threads of the band. The band then tightens around the hose or tube.
The high clamping force makes this a heavy-duty jubilee clip. Available as stainless-steel or steel hose clamps, these are ideal when space is restricted or hard to reach. NOT recommended for soft or silicone hose. For small hose assemblies, consider mini worm-drive hose clamps.
Applications and industries:
T-bolt hose clamps
Designed to provide a secure, air-tight seal on applications with larger diameters, where high vibration occurs. The clamp’s bolt is inserted through the hole in the hose clamp body. The nut is then tightened from underneath with a wrench or pliers. As stainless-steel hose clamps, t-bolts are ideal as clamps for high-pressure hose and for use with silicone hoses.
Applications and industries:
Specialty vehicles and automotive
Sealing off water lines when hoses and tubing are used. Examples:
A torque wrench is the best tool for installing a hose clamp, though a screwdriver will work too. We’ll use the popular worm-drive hose clamp for our example below. Follow these steps for how to tighten a hose clamp too:
Adhere to the clamp’s torque specification, which is given in inches by the clamp manufacturer. Be careful not to overtighten, which will only damage the threaded part of the clamp and lead to the clamp failing.
A t-bolt hose clamp is similarly installed:
The two halves of the clamp are then tightened against each other, and just like that, you’re done.
Specifically, let’s look at how to remove spring hose clamps, which is another name for t-bolts, which have both a drive and a bolt head.
When we say “hose-clamp size,” we’re referring to the clamping diameter range. This range means the minimum and maximum usable diameter.
Outside Diameter (O.D.) = Circumference (C) ÷ 3.1416 (Pi)
Choose a clamp that sits in the middle of the clamp’s adjustment range. Below is a portion of the SAE standard for Type F worm-drive hose clamps. Type F typically has a 1/2" wide band and a 5/16" slotted hex head screw.
Worm-drive hose clamp size chart, Type F
SAE size
Clamp range (inches)
Clamp range (millimeters)
6
3/8 – 7/8
10 – 22
8
7/16 – 1
11 – 25
10
½ – 1 1/16
13 – 27
12
½ – 1 1/4
13 – 32
16
13/16 – 1 ½
21 – 38
20
13/16 – 1 3/4
21 – 44
24
1 – 2
25 – 51
28
1 5/16 – 2 ¼
35 – 57
32
1 9/16 – 2 1/2
40 – 63
36
1 13/16 – 2 3/4
46 – 70
40
2 – 3
51 – 76
44
2 15/16 – 3 ¼
59 – 82
48
2 9/16 – 3 ½
65 – 89
Let’s say you have a 1/2" hose. Note the clamp ranges. You can use an SAE size 6 hose clamp. Now let’s say your hose is 3/4". Consider using a 12 hose-clamp size. If your hose is 1", a size 16 hose clamp would do. If we’re talking about a 2" hose, then you have more choices, as you can see.
The British standard works in a similar way, as this example shows:
British standard for worm-drive hose clips
Size
Adjustment range (millimeters)
Adjustment range (inches)
12
9.5 – 12
3/8 – ½
16
11 – 16
½ – 5/8
20
13 –20
½ – ¾
22
16 – 22
5/8 – 7/8
25
18 – 25
¾ – 1
30
22 – 30
7/8 – 1 1/8
35
25 – 35
1 – 1 3/8
40
30 – 40
1 2/8 – 1 5/8
45
32 – 45
1 ¼ – 1 3/4
50
35 – 50
1 3/8 – 2
55
40 – 55
1 5/8 – 2 1/8
60
45 – 60
1 ¾ – 2 3/8
70
55 –70
2 1/8 – 2 3/4
Hose clamps are generally made in carbon steel, stainless steel or plastics. Plastics are a cost-efficient alternative to metals, but only in particular applications, as explained earlier. Plastics are also corrosion resistant, and so is stainless steel. Extra-large stainless-steel hose clamps are available for bigger assemblies. For heavy-duty applications, consider steel for its strength.