Backwoods Hackery and Homemade tools

[66Fmustang]

Hey y’all I just wanted to see what everyone else does with tools to make their lives easier or to get jobs done quicker.

I have a C-Clamp (from Hazard Fraught) that I cut the handle off and welded a nut onto the threaded rod that I use to press in calipers for brake inspection/ service.

 

[fourjeepin]

I needed to crimp some welding wire for inverter connections, so I made a homemade crimper by sawing a 1/2" nut in half and adding a bit of 1/8" wire to the bottom "die" to be sure the crimp was tight.

I used a vice to squeeze the two parts of the 1/2" nut together. A bit fiddly to get everything lined up in the vise, but the crimps came out OK.

I had to file down the sharp edges, and squeeze the bell end of the lug to allow the shrink tube to slide over the lug. Since I only had black shrink tube, a little red electrical tape finished off the connection nicely.

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Clever and very nice results. Well done

 

[Brosieden]

Not very innovative, but a simple one I made today was an eye-bolt driver. Took an extra 1/2" drive 3/4" deep socket, cut slots in the sides to fit the eye bolts, chucked it in my impact and installed them quickly and effortlessly.

I only had about 12 to drive in, so time savings in installation was probably negated by the time it took to grind the socket. But it'll save me time in the future.

 

[Gmonkee]

Alu car hood tool tote.

 

[Gmonkee]

Large capacity (3/4 gallon) rolling paint tray.

 

[Gmonkee]

Caterpilar hydraulic cyl wrench

 

[Gmonkee]

Years ago a need for a screwdriver and far away from a tool box. A hammer and a bit of construction wire got me through the job.

Lost it and recently dug it up in the yard. More worthless than ever but this time it was taken to the house.

 

[5ktq]

I was thinking a good way to make heavy gauge crimpers would be to get cheapy bolt cutters and grind a few different size circles in the teeth. But the nut idea is pretty smart

 

[66Fmustang]

Years ago a need for a screwdriver and far away from a tool box. A hammer and a bit of construction wire got me through the job.



Lost it and recently dug it up in the yard. More worthless than ever but this time it was taken to the house.

That is awesome, must have been some pretty big screws for that to work

 

[Gmonkee]

As I recall the big sheet metal screws. It is about as long as a Bic pen.

Accidentally tested the tool tote. It will support the weight of a Toyota van. Oops!
It sets flat on the floor now. Still looks the same.