Buffalo-based Kee Safety Inc. produces a line of very basic railings, barriers and perimeter protection, all held together with some variation on the Kee Klamp. The latter is just a humble pipe fitting, available in both aluminum and less-expensive iron, with an obvious appeal: Armed with nothing more than a hex key, a builder tightens a single set screw in the clamp that can subsequently support up to 2,000 pounds. An adult with access to common steel pipes can then operate like a kid with a Lego set.
Steel pipe is an inherently efficient structural component. It is strong, has no sharp corners, and is readily available worldwide. The difficulty in using steel pipe to form structures arises when joining. Threaded pipe must be supplied in set lengths making for zero flexibility in installation. Welding is labor intensive, requires a highly skilled workforce, and specialized equipment.The answer is KEE KLAMP components. The underlying principle is simple but highly effective: use slip-on components to create versatile and rigid tubular structures....
The Kee Klamp comes in scores of varieties to deal with different angles, coupling situations and pipe diameters. Next we'll look at what some DIY'ers have been using the stuff for.
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