Flawless Pipe Fit-Ups with Mathey Dearman

In welding and fabrication, precision is everything. Improper pipe fit-up can lead to poor weld quality, costly rework, and potential safety hazards. That’s why pipefitters and welders trust Mathey Dearman for reliable, high-performance pipe alignment and reforming clamps. Designed for everything from simple alignments to heavy-duty pipe reforming, these pipe fit up clamps help ensure accurate, consistent welds every time.

Mathey Dearman has been a pioneer in pipe alignment solutions, creating the first chain clamp for welding pipe in 1930! Their clamps are designed to withstand industrial use, reduce set-up time, achieve precise alignment, and work across various applications giving you the perfect fit up every time.
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Whether you’re working on oil and gas pipelines, industrial construction, or fabrication shops, there’s a Mathey Dearman clamp for your application. Let’s take a closer look at their top models.

The Sturdi Pipe Chain Clamp is an innovative and cost effective clamp that is ideal for schedule 40 and below pipe fitting alignment and reforming. It’s a great alternative to traditional methods like ratchet cable pullers or bottle jacks, which can be inconsistent and time-consuming. This clamp allows for quick, one-person pipe fitting!
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• One chain fits a range of pipe sizes from 1" to 36" diameter, elbows, tees, flanges end caps and most other pipe fittings.
• Double jackbars provide consistent internal and external alignment within 0.5mm
• Reduces “Hi-Lo” misalignment
• High rise jackbars that each have independently pivoting feet provide clearance and easy access to the pipe with a welding torch or rod.
• Available in carbon steel or stainless steel
  
  

Best for: General welding applications where precise alignment and easy setup are needed.

The Double Jackscrew Chain Clamp is similar to the Sturdi Pipe, but if you need a heavier-duty clamp capable of aligning schedule 40 to schedule 80 pipes, this is the way to go. This clamp applies pressure on high points to eliminate Hi-Lo misalignment, ensuring a flawless pipe fit-up. With the chain clamp’s level and support device, the pipe, elbow, tee, flange and other fittings are held securely in place during pipe alignment and welding.​
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• Reforms pipe on both sides to within 0.4mm
• Heavy-duty construction with Stainless steel jackbars, main blocks, and jackscrews.
• Choose between stainless steel or carbon steel chain for applications that require no cross contamination.
• Extra welding clearance – Allows for a full weld pass without removing the clamp
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Best for: Thick-walled pipe alignment where high precision and strength are required.

For large-diameter pipes and vessel alignment, the Double Chain Clamp is a game-changer. Capable of reforming and aligning pipes up to 20 feet in diameter with schedule 80 wall thickness, it can also align heavier pipes when no reforming is necessary.
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• Handles extreme out-of-round conditions, correcting pipe ovality up to 2”/51mm
• Comes with MagSquare magnets
• Joints can be aligned, reformed, and welded without removing the clamp
• Hydraulic closure mechanism option - perfect for clamping larger diameters, applying up to 10,000 lbs  of force for superior alignment
• Available in either carbon steel and stainless steel

​Best for: Large-diameter industrial pipe and vessel alignment requiring heavy reforming power.

For tough pipe reforming jobs, the Rim Clamp delivers unmatched precision. Its self-latching design ensures easy installation while keeping high reforming pressure without releasing the clamp.
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• Symmetrically placed jackscrews apply pressure on high points to precisely reform and align pipe or shells.
• Corrects out-of-round pipes up to 2”/51mm
• All stainless steel contact points means no contamination on a variety of applications, even ones using specialty materials
• Versatile for different pipe sizes, available for pipes up to 60"
• This clamp will reform 45,000 PSI tensile strength pipe up to schedule 80.

Best for:  for high-pressure pipe repair and other applications requiring 100% weld and grind without removing the clamp.

Mathey Dearman offers three types of Cage Clamps, each suited for different job-site needs: the Manual Lever Cage Clamp, the Ratchet Cage Clamp, and the Hydraulic Cage Clamp. Unlike chain clamps, these are alignment-only clamps, not to be used for reforming. 

No-Tack Cross Bars are arched to permit a full-circle weld without removing the clamp.

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MANUAL CAGE CLAMP

• Simple and easy to use
• Each clamp fits on specific pipe diameter with options ranging from 2" to 60"
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​Best for: Quick, repeatable pipe alignment with minimal effort.

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RACHET CAGE CLAMP

• Provides extra force for aligning large pipes
• Available for pipes from 14" to 60"
• Ratchet mechanism for easy adjustment
  

Best for: Aligning large-diameter pipes where additional force is needed.

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HYDRAULIC CAGE CLAMP

• Hydraulic closure system applies extreme force for alignment of large pipe diameters while also allowing rapid release when needed.
• Available for pipes from 16" to 60"

Best for: Heavy industrial applications where hydraulic force is required for alignment.

Choosing the right clamp for the job

Each of these Mathey Dearman clamps is engineered for specific welding and fabrication needs. If you're wondering which one is right for your project, consider:

• Pipe Size and Material: Small pipes vs. large-diameter pipes, carbon steel vs. stainless steel.
  
• Wall Thickness: Light-duty vs. heavy-duty reforming requirements.
  
• Reforming vs. Alignment: Do you need to reform the pipe, or just hold it in place?
  
• Jobsite Conditions: Need hydraulic force or will a quick manual setup do?

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Still unsure of which option will best fit your needs? Fill out the form below to download the brochure for more information and feel free to reach out to our team with questions! We're happy to help you narrow down the right tool for the job.