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A good weld requires a good circuit through the workpiece
Besides operator skill, the most common cause of poor welding is poor grounding.
Without good grounding, even experienced and skilled welders can have problems.
You don’t want shallow penetration, porous joints, excessive dross, or inconsistent weld beads.
Some of the most respected brands on the market keep costs down with inexpensive ground clips.
Fortunately, ground clips are inexpensive and easy to replace.
quick comparison
product | |||
---|---|---|---|
image | product | detail | |
Featured |
US Forge 00202 Bronze |
super hard spring heavy fixture good contact surface |
check prices |
value for money |
Hobart Type T |
made of brass need a big cable cooler running |
check prices |
cheap option |
Lincoln KH525 |
it’s big to clamp copper contacts |
check prices |
|
Forney 54410 |
high quality great value burden |
check prices |
|
Kinch Welding |
open your mouth wide affordable strong attachment |
check prices |
Best Soldering Grounding Fixture Reviews
Here is a list of the best soldering ground clips we found on the market:
1. US Forge 300amp Heavy Duty Bronze Welded Ground Clamp
- Rated current 300 amps
- bronze material
- Oval Point Set Screws
- very large cable diameter
- Jaw 55 points of contact
advantage
- strong spring
- wide and grooved jaws
- very stiff
- bronze alloy
- heavy construction
shortcoming
- Springs are too stiff for some hands
- A bit expensive
overview
This is a heavy duty bronze alloy jig rated at 300 amps which is sufficient for most welding applications. The 200 amp welds 1/2″ steel, which means the jig is suitable for thicker plates. The US Forge Heavy Duty Bronze Ground clamp is designed with an oval point cable connection screw for positive contact and secure connection of the ground cable. It uses a very large No. 1 ground wire for maximum conductivity. The jig is cast with wide, wedge-shaped jaws for a good grip on grounded surfaces.
The US Forge Heavy Duty Bronze Ground clamp is highly praised by welders for its strong construction and heavy construction. It’s built for abuse and durability. The jaws have a fairly large contact surface, and the force of this spring is sure to grip the workpiece well.
To be safe, you need a good connection via the ground clip. Many users have complained that the springs on the US Forge Heavy Duty Bronze ground clips are too stiff. This can be a problem if you are injured or are short in stature.
2. Hobart Type T 400amp Brass Grounding Clamp
- 400 amp capacity
- brass structure
- heavy duty design
- cable stabilizer
- large set screw
advantage
- very stiff spring
- 1-1/2″ opening
- Connect to Line 1
- solid alternative
- casting instead of stamping
shortcoming
- some alignment issues
- Inconsistent contact surfaces
overview
The Hobart Tee Grounding Clamp is the industrial quality, professional grade product you’ve come to expect from the Hobart name. Cast from solid brass, it earned a top rating of 400 amps in this roundup. That’s more than most welding jobs other than professional pipelayers, shipyards, etc.
Some owners have complained of poor jaw alignment, which can affect its grip. Because it’s made of brass, the Hobart T-Grounding Clip is relatively soft and can bend and deform from rough handling or improper storage. The flip side is that it’s also relatively easy to straighten out. High rated current provides lower operating temperature. When the ground clamp has a really stiff spring like this, it helps when the clamp is not too hot when you have to grab it hard.
Hobart Type T grounding clamps have had some reports of casting defects in the contact area of the jaws. Sometimes the wedge lugs on the jaws have seams or casting flash that may need to be filed or ground off to provide maximum contact to the jaws.
3. Lincoln Electric KH525 300amp Grounding Clamp
- cheap solution
- 300 amp capacity
- heavy bolt
- copper hardware
- wide circuit weave
advantage
- replaceable contacts
- good warranty
- With No. 2 wiring
- precision design
- big opening
shortcoming
- cable support required
- copper plated hardware
overview
One of the things that owners of the Lincoln Electric KH525 – 300amp Ground Clamp mention most often is that it is large. They also report that it has a very stiff spring that is difficult for people with small hands or carpal tunnel syndrome to grasp. With an industry leader like Lincoln, you can generally expect tools that get the job done well. This jig is no exception, featuring nickel-plated steel construction and replaceable copper-plated hardware.
The Lincoln Electric KH525 comes with a one-year warranty like no other fixture. For a jig in this price range, it is a very high quality product with a well designed jaw contact cleat. It needs cable sizes from 2 to a larger 0, but it does need better cable support. Some homeowners use zip ties, mechanical wire, or hose clamps to hold the cable securely to the clamp handle.
The benefit of such a large clamp is that the Lincoln Electric KH525 can be opened up to 1-3/4 inches, allowing you to mount it to hard-to-ground items such as axle housings, large bolts, or suspension components.
4. Forney 54410 300amp Solder Ground Clamp
- nickel plated steel
- Rated at 300 Amps
- Jaws open 1-3/4 inches
- copper contacts
- Accepts cable #2
advantage
- Hard springs for good grip
- Safe Access to Workpieces
- Double Nut Lug Connectors
- Inexpensive
- high quality
shortcoming
- No cable bracket
- Not suitable for professional use
overview
The Forney 54410 300 Amp Steel Grounding Clamp is a durable, economical grounding clamp for shop maintenance and field work. Positive connection with good conductivity. Suitable for all farm and workshop welders.
Forney Industries is one of the longest-running family-owned metalworking products companies in the United States. Founded in 1932, Forney offers more than 5,000 products for the hardware, automotive, farm and ranch, and do-it-yourself markets.
8″ (203.2mm) long with 1 3/4″ (44.4mm) wide jaw opening. Accepts up to No. 2 welding cables. Warranty claims must be made within 90 days of purchase. Proof of purchase required.
This warranty does not cover any product which has been used as a result of misuse, neglect, negligence or accident, or which has been used in any way contrary to its intended purpose
5. KingQ 300amp Welding Grounding Clamp
- 2 inch capacity
- Rated current 300 amps
- brass structure
- clamping surface
- 8 inches long
advantage
- Inexpensive
- Power clip
- long jaw
- L Line 1
- Sturdy Connecting Ears
shortcoming
- quality varies
- small contact patch
overview
The KingQ Welding Ground Clamp is a 300 amp bronze cast. While it’s heavy and very strong, there have been reports of the clamp breaking apart at the pivot point. The jaws of this jig open up to a full 2 inches. It is designed to accept a size 2 cable, which is quite large for a bolt-on lug.
This clamp does have a good reach and good opening, but some owners do complain that the KingQ welding ground clamp has very little contact surface when clamping work. This is a function of the fixture shape. While it does have a strong, stiff clamping force, the small contact area somewhat limits its functionality.
For the price range, we think there are better jigs on this list. However, if you are stuck and this is the jig you can use, it is heavy enough to handle business, but the KingQ Welding Grounding Jig is not recommended for use in a professional environment. For a DIY studio at home, it’s fine for occasional use.
About Jeff Grill
Jeff Grill hails from Long Island, a 118-mile stretch of land that stretches from the shores of Manhattan to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. He was interested in welding from an early age, as evidenced by the scars on his body when he started working with various metals.