24 don 39 t cut into the hose clamp ear 42 when the clamp tool 10 is closed this is shown in fig3 a in which the opposing head members 19 21 of the clamp tool 10 are in a closed position having a gap between the ear interface surfaces 20 24 fig3 b shows the clamp tool 10 in an open position ready to accept the ears 42 of a hose clamp 40 42 as will be shown in fig5 a and 5b the width d of the stop edges 18 22 provide a reference or fixed predetermined distance between the sides 25 of the clamp tool 10 and the ear interface surfaces 20 24 this width d corresponds to the correct placement of the clamp 40 42 with respect to an edge 79 of the hose 78 an index reference line not shown or bead 60 of the fitting 62 this enables correct alignment of the hose clamp 40 42 with for example the fitting 62 elements many clamp tool 10 sizes are anticipated for different fitting 62 sizes and different clamp 40 42 sizes such alignment is desired because the various elements of the fitting 62 are not visible once the hose 78 is positioned over the fitting 62 in some embodiments the ear interface surfaces 20 24 are held apart by a mechanism associated with the members 13 15 handles 12 14 and the pivot 16 not requiring the stop edges 18 22 to touch such.