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Tube Clamps
Shop our range of high-quality tube clamps UK (also known as Key clamps or Q-Clamps) — robust, weld-free fittings made from hot-dip galvanised malleable steel for maximum strength and corrosion resistance. These versatile connectors join standard tubes with 48.3mm, 42.4mm, 33.7mm & 26.9mm diameters using Allen key screws for quick, tool-free assembly, no specialist skills needed. Ideal for building safe, durable structures like handrails, guardrails, climbing frames, signage stands, bicycle racks, storage racking, shop fittings, or temporary barriers in construction, retail, hospitals, schools, and DIY projects – fast nationwide delivery and bulk discounts for trade orders.
Showing all 19 results
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3-Way 90-Degree Elbow – Tube Clamp 128
£7.23 ex. VAT -
3-Way Outlet Tee – Tube Clamp 176
£8.26 ex. VAT -
4-Way Cross – Tube Clamp 158
£8.89 ex. VAT -
90-Degree 2-Way Elbow – Tube Clamp 125
£5.81 ex. VAT -
90-Degree Short Tee – Tube Clamp 101
£5.73 ex. VAT -
Acute Angle Elbow (40° to 70°) – Tube Clamp 123
£8.88 ex. VAT -
Base Plate – Tube Clamp 132
£7.91 ex. VAT -
Combination Socket Tee and Crossover – Tube Clamp 165
£6.91 ex. VAT -
Inline External Tube Connector – Tube Clamp 149
£5.48 ex. VAT -
Long Tee – Tube Clamp 104-4
£7.67 ex. VAT -
90-Degree Corner Swivel – Tube Clamp 168
£10.07 ex. VAT -
Adjustable Cross 30 to 45 Degrees – Tube Clamp 130
£10.00 ex. VAT -
Ground Socket – Tube Clamp 134
£16.50 ex. VAT -
Inline Internal Tube Connector – Tube Clamp 150
£5.48 ex. VAT -
Wall-Mounted Handrail Bracket – Tube Clamp 143
£6.21 ex. VAT -
Offset 90-Degree Crossover – Tube Clamp 161
£5.45 ex. VAT -
Clamp-on Tee – Tube Clamp 136-4
£7.77 ex. VAT -
Double-Sided Mesh Panel Clip – Tube Clamp 171
£3.92 ex. VAT -
Plastic Stop Ends – Tube Clamp 133
£0.66 ex. VAT
What are tube clamps?
Tube clamps are weld-free, bolt-together fittings used to build tubular structures from standard steel tube. They are also sold as key clamps or Q-Clamps, and they do the same job as brands such as Kee Klamp and Interclamp. Each fitting is made from hot-dip galvanised malleable iron and holds the tube with case-hardened set screws that tighten with an Allen key. There is no welding, threading or specialist labour involved, so a structure can be assembled, adjusted or taken apart with basic hand tools.
Because they are quick to fit and easy to change, tube clamps suit handrails, guardrails, safety barriers, racking, signage frames and a wide range of custom builds. They connect the same steel tube we sell on our scaffolding poles, in 48.3mm, 42.4mm, 33.7mm and 26.9mm outside diameters.
Tube clamps vs scaffold couplers: which do you need?
Both join steel tube, but they are built for different jobs.
Tube clamps (key clamps) tighten onto the tube with a recessed set screw and an Allen key. They give a clean, architectural finish and are ideal for handrails, barriers, furniture, racking and semi-permanent frameworks. They are quick to fit and look tidy in public and retail spaces.
Scaffold couplers — the traditional nut-and-bolt fittings on our scaffold fittings page, clamp around the tube with a cup mechanism and are tightened with a scaffold spanner. They are the standard, load-rated choice for access scaffolding and heavy load-bearing work.
As a rule of thumb: if you are building a handrail, guardrail, frame or a fitting-out project, tube clamps are usually the better and neater option. If you are building a working access scaffold or anything designed to carry significant loads, use scaffold tube and couplers and have the design checked where required.
Tube clamp sizes explained.
Tube clamps are made to fit the outside diameter (OD) of the tube, not a nominal bore, so the fitting size must match your tube exactly. The five standard sizes are:
- 26.9mm — lighter handrails, guarding and smaller frames.
- 33.7mm — mid-weight handrails and general frameworks.
- 42.4mm — sturdier handrails, barriers and racking.
- 48.3mm — our most popular size; matches standard scaffold tube, so it suits robust handrails, guardrails and heavier structures.
- 60.3mm — larger-diameter structural and industrial work.
If you are matching to existing scaffold tube, 48.3mm is almost always the size you need. If in doubt, measure the outside diameter of your tube with a set of callipers before ordering.
Fitting types and what they do
The range covers the connections most builds need. The most common are:
- Tees and short/long tees — join a rail into an upright at 90°, used throughout handrails and frames.
- Elbows — turn a corner; available as fixed 90° or as adjustable acute-angle elbows for sloped runs and stair handrails.
- Crossovers — pass one tube over another without cutting.
- Swivels — like our corner swivel, for angled joints where a fixed fitting won’t sit right.
- Base plates and ground sockets — such as the base plate for bolting to a floor and the ground socket for setting an upright into the ground.
- Handrail brackets — like the wall-mounted handrail bracket for fixing a rail to a wall.
- Connectors and stop ends — join two tubes end to end or cap an exposed tube for a safe, finished edge.
How to choose the right tube clamp
Work through three questions:
- What tube size are you using? Match the fitting to the tube OD (26.9–60.3mm). Every fitting in a build must be the same size.
- What connection do you need at each joint? Sketch the structure and list each junction — a corner needs an elbow, a mid-run branch needs a tee, a floor fixing needs a base plate, and so on.
- Indoors or outdoors? All our fittings are hot-dip galvanised for outdoor use. For a colour finish, they can be powder coated after assembly.
Count the fittings from your sketch before ordering, and add a couple of spares. It is far easier to have one too many than to stop a job for a single missing tee.
Load and safety considerations
Tube clamps rely on the grip of the set screw against the tube, so a few things matter for a safe result: use the correct fitting size for your tube, tighten every set screw to the manufacturer’s recommended torque with the right Allen key, and don’t over-tighten, which can strip the screw.
Safe working loads depend on the fitting type, tube size, how the load is applied and the overall design of the structure. For any load-bearing or public-facing structure, handrails and guarding that people will lean on, for example, design to the manufacturer’s published safe working loads and have the design checked by a competent person where the situation calls for it. Tube clamps are not a substitute for a scaffold on load-bearing access work; for that, use scaffold tube and couplers.
Assembly: a quick guide
- Cut your tube to length and de-burr the ends.
- Dry-assemble the structure loosely to check your measurements and squareness.
- Slide each fitting into position and seat the tube fully into the fitting.
- Tighten the set screws evenly with the correct Allen key until the fitting is secure.
- Fit stop ends to any exposed tube for a safe, finished edge.
Because nothing is welded, you can loosen a set screw and reposition a fitting at any time, which makes tube clamps ideal for structures you may want to extend or alter later.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing sizes. A 48.3mm fitting will not grip 42.4mm tube properly. Keep the whole build to one size.
- Not seating the tube fully before tightening, which reduces grip.
- Under- or over-tightening the set screws instead of using the recommended torque.
- Leaving tube ends open where people could catch on them — always cap with a stop end.
- Using tube clamps for a job that needs a rated scaffold. Match the fitting to the task.
Indoor and outdoor use
Hot-dip galvanising gives a thick zinc coating that resists rust, so these fittings are suited to outdoor use, external handrails, barriers, bike racks and signage. Indoors, they are equally at home in racking, shop fittings, furniture and display. If you want a specific colour, the fittings and tube can be powder coated after the structure is built.
Q-Clamp, Kee Klamp and Interclamp
Q-Clamp is the range we stock. Kee Klamp, Interclamp, Fastclamp and similar brands are the same style of galvanised set-screw fitting and are broadly interchangeable in how they are used, though we would not advise mixing brands within a single load-bearing structure. The main differences between brands come down to coating and finish: our Q-Clamps are hot-dip galvanised for reliable outdoor corrosion resistance, while some ranges use a heavier double-dip process aimed at harsher environments. For standard handrails, barriers and frameworks, galvanised Q-Clamps cover most needs. If you specifically need Kee Klamp, Interclamp or another brand, we can often order it in.
Common applications
Tube clamps are used across a huge range of settings, including:
- Handrails and guardrails
- Safety barriers and pedestrian guarding
- Bike racks and trolley bays
- Warehouse racking and industrial shelving
- Mezzanine and edge barriers
- Market stalls and shop fittings
- Signage and banner frames
- Gym and training equipment
- Outdoor furniture and display
- Carports, awnings and DIY projects
You’ll find them in hospitals and healthcare settings, retail and commercial premises, construction sites, schools and public spaces, and warehouses — anywhere a strong, tidy tubular frame is needed without welding.
Why buy your from us
- UK stock on the full Q-Clamp range, ready to ship.
- Hot-dip galvanised malleable iron fittings manufactured to BS EN 1562.
- Bulk discounts and trade prices on larger orders.
- Fast nationwide delivery — your cost is confirmed at checkout.
- Order easily online from over 200 scaffolding and building products.
Frequently asked questions
What are Q-Clamps?
Q-Clamp is the brand of tube clamp we stock. Other brands such as Kee Klamp, Interclamp, Fastclamp and Tuff Klamp work in the same way; we can often order these in on request.
What sizes are tube clamps available in?
They come in five standard sizes to match the outside diameter of the tube: 26.9mm, 33.7mm, 42.4mm, 48.3mm and 60.3mm. The 48.3mm size is the most popular as it matches standard scaffold tube.
Do I need to weld tube clamps?
No. Tube clamps are entirely weld-free. Each fitting is secured to the tube with set screws tightened by an Allen key, so structures can be built and altered with basic hand tools.
Which size Allen key do I need?
Use the Allen key size specified for your fitting and set screw. Using the correct size prevents rounding the screw head and gives a secure, properly tightened joint.
Can tube clamps be used outdoors?
Yes. The fittings are hot-dip galvanised, which resists rust and corrosion, so they suit outdoor handrails, barriers, bike racks and signage as well as indoor use.
Are tube clamps reusable?
Yes. Because nothing is welded, you can loosen the set screws, reposition or dismantle the structure, and reuse the fittings on another project.
Can tube clamps be painted or powder coated?
Yes. The galvanised fittings and tube can be powder coated or painted after assembly if you want a specific colour or finish.
What tube do tube clamps fit?
They fit steel tube matched to the fittings outside diameter, from 26.9mm up to 60.3mm. Every fitting in a build should be the same size as the tube it grips.
Which tube clamp do I need for a handrail?
A typical handrail uses tees to join rails into uprights, elbows for corners, base plates or ground sockets to fix the uprights, and stop ends to finish exposed tube. Sketch your handrail and count the connections to work out exactly what you need.
How many tube clamps do I need?
Draw your structure and count the joints; each junction needs its own fitting. It’s worth ordering a couple of spares so a single missing fitting doesn’t hold up the job.
How much weight can a tube clamp hold?
Safe working load depends on the fitting type, tube size, how the load is applied and the overall design. For load-bearing or public structures, design to the manufacturer’s published safe working loads and have the design checked by a competent person where required. For heavy load-bearing access work, use scaffold tube and couplers rather than tube clamps.
What are tube clamps made from?
They are made from malleable iron and finished with a hot-dip galvanised zinc coating for strength and corrosion resistance.
What standards do tube clamps meet?
The fittings are manufactured to BS EN 1562 for strength and are supplied hot-dip galvanised.
What is the difference between a Q-Clamp and an Interclamp?
Both are galvanised set-screw fittings. Q-Clamps are hot-dip galvanised for reliable outdoor use, while Interclamp uses a double-dip process aimed at harsher environments. For most outdoor handrails and frameworks, Q-Clamps are more than adequate.
Do you offer trade or bulk discounts?
Yes. We offer bulk discounts and trade pricing on larger orders. Add the items to your basket to see quantity pricing, or contact us for a trade quote.
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