making your own tools

[rustbucket5]

alright so im just getting started in heavy duty mechanic career and i was wondering how often to you guys make tools at work? and what do tools do you usually make them out of? im just wondering if i should keep a spare set of cheapie wrenches/punches/sockets in my box to modify if need be.

 

[slip knot]

yes! custom bent wrenchs can save a lot of time. I've heated a few snappys up over the years to get a job done. Wrenchs and sockets get cut up on occasion. keep a cheap set handy.

 

[PureLeaf]

Im not a heavy duty mechanic. But the tools are usually things like cutting an allen wrench because I need a stubby L, or grinding a cheap wrench down because it needs to be thinner. I always to my best to avoid that sort of stuff, hate ruining tools, but gotta do it sometimes. Other things involve stuff like pushing out or pulling small bearings out with mixtures of bolts, sockets, and washers.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

Yes you should. It's not very often but it does happen and most of the time for me anyway it's a wrench getting sacrificed.

 

[unslow1]

I have a bottom drawer full of cheap ratchets, sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers. That way I have something to modify, loan or give away if the need arises. I just refuse to lend out top quality tools.

 

[RedRabbit]

I buy hf or kobalt stuff to use ib that scenario. Can't bring myself to cut up a nice tool.

 

[plinker]

I have a punch made from a Dodge 2500 tie rod, about 1-1/4-ish dia., 16" long, works nice. There's also some specfice punches bushing/seal driver's I made up.

Bent wrenches & such are on occasion, I keep a inexpensive set on hand for that reason. I did make some large stubby wrenches (1" to 1-1/4) by cutting down & re-welding some Sunex combo's.

 

[Firebrick43]

Make lots of special tools out of plate steel and a Bridgeport. Several times with help of dowel pins.

 

[malykaii]

I work in corporate truck maintenance. They check our boxes anually for dangerous goods such as "mushroomed" chisel heads and home-made/modified tools. Their logic is they would rather order the appropriate specialty tool for the job just to keep us working safe.

They stock 17/32 sized brass brake union adaptors. Now tell me where does one find a 17/32 wrench made after 1950? Hence I'm going to convert a 13mm crowfoot to 17/32

 

[maxpower_hd]

I make some of my own stuff but I am a vendor at a large company. So they don't buy any tools for me and I never have unlocked my box during one of their inspections. Basically the full time mechanic just tells them "that belongs to a vendor" and that's the end of that.

I have made several items. One I use at least weekly is just a Craftsman pry bar with a groove cut in the prying end to remove and install springs on brake drums for tractor trailers. Another is the operator (the spring over the overhead trailer door) turning bars. Mine are made from 1/2' cold rolled steel. I have also seen them made from hardened bolts welded together but I like mine better.

 

[malykaii]

You know what everyone at my company uses for overhead door ops... Those large leaf spring center bolts. It's the perfect diameter for a nice fit and since it's threaded has a nice grip to prevent happy accidents. Also, it's the perfect length... Long enough for leverage, yet short enough to fit, (even if your an old timer who does them with the door up not down, or have two doors at 45degree angle on a box truck)

Some guys slide on a bit of heater hose to make soft grip handles. Best part, since it is neither made nor modified, just a long bolt, it meets tool box inspection standards.

Is there an official tool for winding up those door operators?

Also,lucky you being an outside vendor. For us, eeven vendors must be certified and follow our rules if they want to work on site for us.

 

[bobcatdan]

Besides modifying cheap wrenches, I have two other sources for homemade tools. Big Allen bolts make great punches for pins. I weld the Allen up and grind smooth. I get the longest bolts as possible to cut all the threads off so I have a smooth shank. Also being a foundry, I have unlimited supply of air hammer chissels of every shape and size to play with.

 

[dr_clyde]

I make tools all the time. Setup tools, adapters, custom clamps and wrenches, purge dams and supply fittings, whatever a job needs.

I am a welder/machinist/sheet metal hand, not a mechanic though.

 

[G-Ram]

where I work, we are not allowed to make or modify tools.. safety liability..

 

[malykaii]

where I work, we are not allowed to make or modify tools.. safety liability..

Let me guess, UPS?

 

[sberry]

My world would come to a stop if we didn't make tools. I got the better part of a bottom chest dedicated to fabricated items, a lot to do with puller, some spec wrenches and a wiper arm puller.

 

[sberry]

I make tools all the time. Setup tools, adapters, custom clamps and wrenches, purge dams and supply fittings, whatever a job needs.

I am a welder/machinist/sheet metal hand, not a mechanic though.

Look up mechanic in the dictionary, especially an older one.

 

[G-Ram]

Let me guess, UPS?

nope, gold mine

 

[dr_clyde]

Look up mechanic in the dictionary, especially an older one.

Well I know the actual definition, but it varies from what is commonly accepted as a mechanic. If you asked the general public what a mechanic does, they'll say "fix cars and trucks". I'm not arguing your point, so much as clarifying. I don't do auto or HD equipment repair, so I don't use the term mechanic. I say welder or machinist and people understand what I do better.

 

[Murphy4570]

I have a number of custom oddball tools. Mostly custom press/puller adapters.

I keep a set of Harbor Freight wrenches in my toolbox just to cut them up and make special tools as needed.

Keep old bearing races, inner tierod ends, swaybar endlink bolts, torsion bars, etc lying around, as well as flat plate steel, angle iron, etc. Having a stash of fabrication steel is a Godsend at 6PM on a Sunday.

 

[Tim37]

nope, gold mine

Msha makes OSHA its *****


My dad was a machinist for 50 years I use some of his pullers he made at work I have a few things I have made up but his stuff is nice enough I dont have to keep it tucked away.

 

[shanny19]

The small engine repair section of my workplace is crawling with Proto 10 & 13 wrenches that have been bent into a 90 at the open end. And lots more that have been reheated and rebent straight. And I have yet to find the application, some scenario where a crowfoot and extension wouldnt work????? Inflames my OCD to no end.

 

[rustbucket5]

thanks guys for all the suggestions!

 

[shanny19]

Msha makes OSHA its *****

Read The Deep Dark by Gregg Olsen, it's tough to find an industry worse than 20th century mining for Corporate caring less about safety.