Abstract: A gripper for retaining a first element, such as a rotor blade, to a reciprocal motion assembly during friction welding includes a pair of clamp halves and a base. The base includes two spaced end walls. Upon joining the clamp halves together, around a collar on the first element, in the base the end walls compress the clamp halves both longitudinally and transversely, consequently causing the clamp halves to firmly grip the collar of the first element. Thus, the first element is securely held, while the motion provided by the reciprocal motion assembly is translated to the blade.