Clips

About Clips

Clips are essential fastening components used across countless trades and applications, from securing hoses and cables to holding tools and attaching panels. Whether you're a professional tradesperson or a dedicated DIY enthusiast, the right clip can make the difference between a job well done and a frustrating afternoon wrestling with loose connections. The clips category at Tooled-Up.com encompasses everything from robust jubilee and hose clips for plumbing installations to practical tool clips for workshop organisation and R clips for securing pins and shafts in mechanical assemblies.

The humble clip is often overlooked, yet it's one of the most versatile fastening solutions available. Modern clips are engineered from high-quality materials including stainless steel, zinc-plated steel, and durable plastics to withstand challenging environments, from damp outdoor installations to vibration-heavy machinery. With advances in design and manufacturing, today's clips offer superior holding power, easier installation, and longer service life than ever before.

This comprehensive range covers the spectrum from heavy-duty industrial applications to precision work requiring exact tolerances. Whether you're securing automotive hoses, organising tools on a workshop wall, or assembling machinery, you'll find the appropriate clip design engineered for your specific requirements. Understanding the different types and their optimal applications ensures you select the right fastening solution every time.

Jargon Buster

• Jubilee Clip: A trademarked term (often used generically) for worm-drive hose clips with a screw mechanism that tightens a band around hoses, pipes, or cables. The adjustable design accommodates various diameters and provides secure, reliable fastening for pressurised systems.
• Worm Drive: The screw-and-thread mechanism used in hose clips that allows for precise tightening and adjustment. Turning the screw moves the band through the housing to increase or decrease clamping diameter, providing controlled compression.
• R Clip (Retaining Clip): A hairpin-shaped fastener used to secure pins or shafts, preventing components from sliding off. Common in agricultural, automotive, and industrial machinery where quick-release functionality is required.
• Clamping Range: The minimum and maximum diameters a clip can accommodate, typically specified in millimetres. Essential for ensuring proper fit and secure fastening without over-compression or insufficient grip.
• Band Width: The width of the clip band itself, measured in millimetres. Wider bands distribute pressure more evenly and provide stronger holding force for demanding applications such as high-pressure hydraulic systems.
• Tool Clip: Spring-loaded or friction-based clips designed to hold tools securely on walls, pegboards, or mobile workstations, keeping equipment organised and easily accessible whilst maximising workshop space efficiency.

Who Uses Clips?

Clips are indispensable across a wide range of trades and industries:

• Plumbers and heating engineers: Securing water hoses, radiator connections, waste pipes, and expansion vessel fittings
• Automotive mechanics: Fastening fuel lines, coolant hoses, brake lines, and vacuum connections
• Electricians: Organising cable runs, securing conduit, and managing cable bundles in distribution boards
• HVAC technicians: Attaching ventilation ducting, securing refrigerant lines, and fastening flexible connections
• Agricultural engineers: Maintaining machinery with R clips and securing hydraulic hoses on tractors and equipment
• Fabricators and welders: Temporary and permanent fastening during assembly processes
• Workshop owners and tool enthusiasts: Organising tools with wall-mounted tool clips for efficient storage systems
• Marine engineers: Securing hoses and cables in corrosive saltwater environments requiring stainless steel components
• Industrial maintenance teams: Routine repair and replacement of fastening components across production facilities
• DIY enthusiasts: Home improvement projects, garden equipment maintenance, and workshop organisation

How to Choose the Right Clips

Application Type: Identify what you're fastening before selecting a clip. Hose clips excel at securing flexible tubing under pressure, whilst R clips are specifically designed for pin retention in mechanical assemblies. Tool clips need spring tension appropriate to the weight of your equipment to prevent tools from falling.

Size and Diameter: Measure accurately before purchasing to avoid returns and delays. For hose clips, measure the external diameter of the hose or pipe and select a clip with a clamping range that encompasses this measurement with room for tightening. Always check the specifications in millimetres and consider hose expansion under temperature or pressure.

Material and Environment: Stainless steel clips offer excellent corrosion resistance for outdoor, marine, or damp environments where rusting would compromise performance. Zinc-plated steel provides good protection for dry indoor applications at a lower cost. Consider temperature ranges if working with heated systems or exposed outdoor installations.

Band Width and Strength: Wider bands distribute pressure more evenly and provide greater holding force without cutting into softer materials. High-pressure applications such as automotive cooling systems or hydraulic connections require robust clips with wider bands, typically 12mm or more, to prevent leaks under vibration.

Installation Method: Consider accessibility when choosing between screw-tightened jubilee clips, spring clips, or push-fit designs. Some applications in confined spaces require tool-free installation, whilst others benefit from the precision adjustment of worm-drive mechanisms that can be fine-tuned after installation.

Compliance and Standards: For professional installations, ensure clips meet relevant British Standards and regulations, particularly for gas, water, and pressure applications where safety is paramount. Gas Safe installations require approved components, and water regulations specify appropriate connections for potable water systems.

Popular Accessories

• Screwdrivers and drivers: Flathead and hex drivers for tightening worm-drive clips, with magnetic tips to prevent dropped screws
• Hose clip pliers: Specialised tools for installing and removing spring-type hose clips in confined automotive spaces
• Measuring tape: Essential for accurate diameter measurement before purchasing to ensure correct sizing
• Cutting tools: Quality snips or saws for trimming hoses and cables to appropriate lengths without fraying
• Pegboards and tool panels: Mounting surfaces for organising tool clips and creating efficient workshop storage systems
• Cable ties: Complementary fastening for bundling cables alongside clips in electrical installations
• Anti-seize compound: Prevents seized threads on stainless steel clips in harsh environments and marine applications
• Storage organisers: Keep assorted clips sorted by size and type in your van or workshop for quick access on site

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between stainless steel and zinc-plated clips?
Stainless steel clips offer superior corrosion resistance and are ideal for outdoor, marine, or damp environments where rusting would compromise performance and longevity. They're essential for saltwater applications and coastal installations. Zinc-plated steel clips are more economical and perfectly adequate for dry indoor applications or where regular replacement is part of routine maintenance schedules.

How tight should I fasten a jubilee clip?
Tighten until the hose is firmly secured without gaps, but avoid overtightening which can damage the hose material, cause it to bulge, or even cut through softer rubber compounds. For most rubber and silicone hoses, hand-tightening with a standard screwdriver is sufficient. If the hose material compresses significantly or distorts, you've likely overtightened. Check for leaks after installation and re-tighten if necessary.

Can I reuse hose clips?
Quality jubilee clips with worm-drive mechanisms can typically be reused multiple times if the band and screw mechanism remain undamaged and free from corrosion. However, single-use crimp clips and spring clips that show deformation or loss of tension should always be replaced. Always inspect clips for corrosion, cracks, thread damage, or band stretching before reuse, particularly in safety-critical applications.

What size hose clip do I need?
Measure the outside diameter of your hose or pipe in millimetres using a tape measure or callipers, then select a clip whose clamping range includes this measurement. For example, a 25mm diameter hose requires a clip with a range such as 20-32mm. Allow a few millimetres extra to accommodate hose expansion under temperature or pressure and ensure adequate tightening capacity remains.

Are there regulations for using clips in plumbing or gas installations?
Yes, professional installations must comply with relevant British Standards and building regulations. Gas installations require Gas Safe registered engineers and specific approved fittings that meet stringent safety standards. Water regulations specify appropriate connections for potable water systems to prevent contamination. Always consult current HSE guidance, British Standards, and industry-specific regulations for your particular application to ensure compliance and safety.