Jubilee Clips
(26 Products)Jubilee Clips are designed to securely fasten a flexible hose onto a rigid spigot, pipe, or fitting. Their mechanism is simple yet effective: a captive screw (the worm gear) engages with slots cut into a circular steel band. As the screw is turned, it progressively pulls the band tighter, reducing its diameter and applying even pressure around the circumference of the hose. This action creates a strong, reliable clamp, effectively sealing the connection against leaks under pressure.
What Are Jubilee Clips?
Jubilee Clips is the original and globally recognised name in high-quality worm drive hose clips. While the term "jubilee clip" is often used generically in the UK to describe any worm-drive hose clamp, the Jubilee Clip is a registered trademark representing a specific standard of quality and performance established over decades.
These clips provide secure and leak-proof connections for a vast array of flexible hoses across countless applications. Whether for automotive repairs, plumbing installations, gardening, marine use, or industrial applications, Jubilee Clips offer a dependable solution.
How They Work
Jubilee Clips are a type of hose clamp featuring a worm gear mechanism. This consists of:
- A Band: A circular band, typically made of steel, with slots or perforations cut into it.
- A Housing: Contains the screw mechanism.
- A Screw (Worm Gear): When turned (usually with a screwdriver or nut driver), the screw threads engage with the slots in the band, effectively pulling the band tighter and reducing its diameter.
This mechanism allows the clip to clamp down securely around a hose, fastening it tightly onto a spigot, pipe, barb, or other fitting, creating a reliable seal.
Applications
- Automotive: Securing radiator hoses, fuel lines, breather pipes, vacuum lines, and coolant hoses.
- Plumbing: Connecting washing machine and dishwasher outlet hoses, sealing pipe connections (low pressure).
- Gardening & Agriculture: Fastening garden hoses to taps and sprinklers, irrigation system connections.
- Marine: Securing hoses for bilge pumps, sanitation systems, engine cooling (stainless steel variants essential here).
- Industrial & Machinery: Used widely for ducting, dust extraction systems, low-pressure fluid and air lines.
- DIY Projects: Countless uses around the home, workshop, and garage for securing flexible pipes and tubes.
Materials and Types
- Mild Steel (Zinc Plated): Often referred to as the "Original Range". These clips are made from mild steel, which is then zinc plated for corrosion protection. They are ideal for general-purpose applications indoors or where exposure to moisture is limited (e.g., typical automotive, indoor plumbing, general DIY).
- Stainless Steel: Offers significantly improved resistance to environmental factors compared to zinc-plated mild steel, making it suitable for outdoor use, damp or humid conditions, plumbing, and garden applications.
Benefits
- Secure Clamping: Provides a strong, reliable grip around the hose.
- Effective Sealing: Helps create leak-proof connections when correctly sized and tightened.
- Adjustability: The worm-drive mechanism allows for precise tightening and adjustment.
- Reusability: Can often be loosened and retightened multiple times.
- Wide Size Range: Available in numerous sizes to fit hoses from small diameters (a few mm) up to very large ones.
- Durability: Made from robust materials for long service life (choose material based on environment).
- Ease of Use: Simple to install and tighten with basic tools.
Choosing the Right Size and Installation
- Sizing: Jubilee Clips are specified by their diameter range (e.g., 13-20mm, 22-30mm). Measure the outside diameter of your hose once it is pushed onto the fitting. Choose a clip size where your measured diameter falls comfortably within the clip's adjustment range, ideally towards the lower end to allow for sufficient tightening.
- Installation:
- Slip the clip over the hose before pushing the hose onto the fitting.
- Position the clip over the section of the hose covering the fitting's barb or spigot.
- Tighten the screw using a suitable flathead screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, or hex nut driver until the connection is firm and secure.
- Do not over-tighten, as this can damage the hose or the clip mechanism. The band should slightly bite into the hose surface for a good seal.
Frequently Asked Jubilee Clips Questions
Why Are They Actually Called "Jubilee" Clips?
The name originates from the company L. Robinson & Co (Gillingham) Ltd. Commander Lumley Robinson invented and patented this type of worm-drive clip, founding the company in 1921. The "Jubilee" name was trademarked shortly after, possibly reflecting the celebratory mood of the post-war era or simply chosen as a memorable brand name. It's been synonymous with the product ever since.
What Does The 'Worm Drive' Mechanism Actually Refer To?
The 'worm drive' refers to the screw used for tightening. It acts like a worm gear - a gear in the form of a screw. The threads of the screw mesh precisely with the slots cut into the clip's band. As the screw turns, it winds its way along the band, effectively pulling the band through the housing and reducing the clip's diameter, hence tightening it.
Are Jubilee Clips Suitable For Joining Hard Plastic Pipes?
Generally, no. Jubilee clips are designed for clamping flexible hoses onto rigid fittings or pipes. Using them to join two pieces of hard plastic pipe is unlikely to create a reliable seal and is not their intended application. Specific pipe connectors or solvent welding (depending on the plastic type) are usually required for joining rigid pipes.
What Causes The Band Of A Hose Clip To Sometimes Buckle Or Distort When Tightening?
This usually happens due to over-tightening. Exceeding the clip's designed clamping force can cause the band material to yield or the housing to deform. It can also occur if the clip is significantly undersized for the hose diameter, forcing the mechanism to work at its absolute limit. Using the correct size clip and tightening appropriately prevents this.
