Clamp Co-Axial, Three Prong

Quick Answer: The Clamp Co-Axial, Three Prong is a three-finger laboratory clamp on a long rod, with its grip arranged in line with the rod’s axis. The listing image shows red coated prongs closed by a wing nut; it holds round flask necks, condensers and columns on a retort stand through a boss head.

Three Prongs, One Axis

A two-prong clamp touches a round neck along two lines; three prongs grip it at three points around the circumference, which holds a round-bottom flask or a condenser far more securely against rolling. On the co-axial three prong clamp the prongs sit at the end of a straight rod and, as the name indicates, the grip is arranged along the line of that rod, so a flask held in it hangs straight out from the boss head rather than offset to one side.

An in-line grip helps when apparatus has to stack vertically. In a reflux set-up the condenser must stand directly above the flask neck, and in column chromatography the column must hang plumb over its receiver; starting with the held item on the rod’s axis makes that alignment simpler. The title gives no further detail of the adjustment beyond the wing nut visible in the photograph.

The red coating on the prongs cushions glass and adds grip. Coatings of this kind are plastic, so they should be kept out of flames and away from very hot surfaces.

Specifications

Applications

• Holding a round-bottom flask by the neck for reflux or distillation
• Supporting a condenser jacket directly above a flask
• Holding a chromatography column plumb over its collection vessel
• Gripping the neck of a filtering flask so vacuum tubing cannot pull it over

Care & Handling

• Hold a flask at the neck, never around the bulb, and keep the clamp clear of the heat source.
• Close the wing nut until the flask cannot slip, then stop; three prongs concentrate force at three points.
• Inspect the red coating for cracks, and do not let exposed metal bear on glass.

Why Choose LabEquip

Organic chemistry teaching labs and research groups that run reflux and distillation every day keep three prong clamps on every stand. LabEquip lists this co-axial pattern in its General Lab Products range; send your enquiry with the neck sizes you use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use three prongs instead of two?

Three prongs contact a round neck at three points spaced around it, so the item cannot roll or tilt in the grip. Two prongs hold straight tubes well but are less secure on flasks.

What does co-axial mean on this clamp?

It indicates that the grip is arranged in line with the axis of the support rod, so the held item sits straight out from the boss head. This helps when apparatus must be stacked vertically.

Where should a round-bottom flask be clamped?

Always at the neck, just below the joint. Clamping the bulb risks cracking it, especially while it is being heated.

Can this clamp hold a condenser?

Yes, if the jacket falls within the prong opening. Clamp the condenser around its outer jacket, not at the water connections or the joint.

Should a filtering flask be clamped during vacuum filtration?

Yes. The vacuum tubing can pull a flask over, and a clamped flask cannot tip or roll. Clamp it at the neck before connecting the vacuum.

Is the coating suitable near a heating mantle?

Keep the prongs a short distance above the mantle. Radiant heat from the mantle surface can soften plastic coatings if the clamp sits directly against it.

Last Updated: September 2026