A Complete Guide to Spring Clips

Spring clips typically have a distinctive hooked U-shape, with an extended base attached via a screw. They are most commonly made from sheet metal or plastic. The spring clip fasteners allow the cylindrical objects to be quickly snapped into place or pulled out. The strength of the grip varies according to the material used and the thickness of the gripping arms, but all provide a sturdy connection that will withstand gravity, pressure and vibration.

They are also known as terry clips and tool clips and are often available in bulk packs or kits for convenience.

Terry tool clips are routinely used in several industries, including:

• Construction

• Clothing and textile manufacture

• Electrical engineering

• Agriculture

• Telecommunications

Types of Spring Clips

Fasteners and fixings such as spring or terry clips are available in multiple shapes, specifications, sizes and diameters (typically measured in mm) suitable for different uses. Here are some of the main varieties:

Flat Spring Clips

Flat terry clips lack the distinctive U-shape of regular clips and are used to secure thin components, card and paper.

Small Metal Spring Clips

Uses for small metal terry clips include attaching cards to lanyards, and badge reel attachments for securing ID cards and security passes to clothing.

Wire Spring Clips

Wire terry clips have many uses, including distributing pressure along hosing and clamping the glass panes of greenhouses.

Circular Spring Clips

Circular type clips have a fully round design and are often used as hooks - for example, in keyrings.

Round Metal Spring Clips

These clips feature one of the most familiar designs. They are the inverted T-shapes found on clipboards that are used to clasp paper in place.

U-Shaped Metal Spring Clips

U-shaped terry clips are primarily used for the assembly of furniture springs and specialist components such as glass panels and flanges. The latter connect pipes and valves.

Spring Button Clips

Spring button clips are used to arrest the two-part sliding tube components used for some engineering tasks. They feature a button in the inner tube which clicks into a hole in the outer tube, locking the tube into place.

Command Spring Clips

These are small and light but provide strong adhesion. They are ideal for hanging notices, pictures, bags, jackets, keys, clocks, clipboards and similar items to walls.

Heavy-Duty Terry Clips

Uses for heavy-duty terry clips include securely attaching heavy items such as hammers, chisels and rakes to walls and boards. They are primarily used for their durability.

What are Spring Clips Made of?

These fixings are made from two principal materials, with differing grip strengths:

Plastic

Plastic terry clips are widely used because they are inexpensive and easy to manufacture. Plastic does not offer the grip strength of steel and other metals, but because plastic is an excellent insulator, they are ideal fasteners for electrical equipment and cables. Tool clips are often coated with polythene or similar plastics for the same reason.

Smaller plastic spring clips feature a dart shape, expandable base or even adhesive or sealant for attachment purposes. Mounting panels typically feature space to accommodate these during the installation and fitting process. Plastic clips may also be coated in various colours - black plastic is a popular option.

Less common materials include:

• Cold-rolled and carbon steel - for heavy-duty clamping tasks

• Aluminium - for lighter tasks

• Brass

• Bronze

• Zinc-plated carbon steel

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