At 12:39 AM 7/25/2008, Allan Streib wrote...

>I've found one vendor for the crimp-type.  In Canada, anyone know of
>any in the USA?

They should be under a buck at the dealer, and no shipping cost. 111
127 537 A

>I thought one other reason was that they crimp to the
>correct "tightness" not too tight or too loose as a screw-type clamp
>could be.

That Oetiker clamp has a liner, so it clamps evenly full circle.
Oetiker clamps also have a bit of a "spring" to them - the ears can
spring a bit to maintain a constant pressure as things expand/contract
with temperature.

The factory uses them because they're inexpensive, reliable, work well,
and are simple to install.

If, after many years, you're replacing a hose which had an Oetiker
clamp, it's best to use another. They do a better job than the common
screw clamps, and there's obviously little reason to have one which can
be frequently removed/reinstalled. In my experience, even the stainless
screw clamps have a mild steel screw which rusts, so they're not any
easier to remove after years of use.

You might also be able to get them from a local industrial supply house
- but you would need to know the correct diameter to buy. I suspect
they're 15.5RER (15400036), but I'm not sure.

http://www.oetiker.com/content.asp?l=4&idNavig=27