Thin stiff rod/wire

[signcrafter]

I need to try and make one of these tools to remove the ignition lock cylinder in a vehicle. Preferably want to do it tomorrow so don't have time to order one if I can find something I can use to make it. It's just a "J" hook that you use to pull up on a tab. If I can find a wire/rod that is thin enough and put a little bend in it but has to be stiff enough to be able to pull up on that tab. Any ideas? Thanks

Ignition Removal Tool - LockTech GM HU100 | American Key Supply

This Ignition Removal Tool was developed to remove the ignition in the “OFF” position in GM vehicles using the newer HU100 keyway that uses a removable tailpiece. It will remove the ignition in the “OFF” position with no damage, no drilling, and do it in less than 60 seconds.

www.americankeysupply.com

 

[Mick56]

I have some locate flags that use some small strong wire. You can usually find some old ones along a road.

 

[LG63]

Music wire. Local source would be a spring from HD or Lowes and unwind the spring, reshape as desired.

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

Maybe the spring steel from a windshield wiper blade? I always keep a couple around for random stuff.

 

[seanb02]

Visit your local welding supply store and pick up some 3/32” rod?

 

[Dozerhand]

Torch tip cleaner?

 

[Rccrawlerguy]

I had to pull the lock cylinder out of my HHR, I used 1/16" or 3/32" ER70 TIG filler. It isn't as stiff as a tool made for those would be, but
I had it, and it fit. I cant remember what size for sure.

 

[ZRX61]

Tig rod

 

[Lwel9226]

Visit your local welding supply store and pick up some 3/32” rod?

Stainless welding rod will be even stiffer.... If you were close I would give you one....

LynnW

 

[rlitman]

I had to pull the lock cylinder out of my HHR, I used 1/16" or 3/32" ER70 TIG filler. It isn't as stiff as a tool made for those would be, but
I had it, and it fit. I cant remember what size for sure.

ER70 TIG filler is no stiffer than a wire hanger, and more expensive. Music wire is far stiffer.
Both options will be stiffer than stainless welding rod.

 

[4xdog]

Have you ever bought one of the kits for replacing fuel lines and filters on some small power equipment engines? They often have a length of fine stiff wire with a small hook on the end for fishing out filters and hoses from inside the tank.

The hook on those things as supplied might work, but it’s normally smaller than on the tool you’ve shown. I’m sure you could reshape it. The wire is quite springy — like the piano wire noted. But you might have one of these hooks around already.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

If there’s a hobby shop near you, they may have small, stiff wire used for control rods on R/C aircraft.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

For that style, I usually just use a pick or small allen key.

 

[geartow]

Radio antenna off a car

 

[Steve_P]

Stiffness is based on geometry of the cross section for steel. It's determined by Modulus of Elasticity, aka Young's Modulus, etc. Stainless, spring steel, mild steel... are all essentially the same. IIRC, SST is slightly less than mild steel, but it's the difference of 28 million PSI vs 29 million for mild steel, alloy steel.....

 

[rlitman]

Stiffness is based on geometry of the cross section for steel. It's determined by Modulus of Elasticity, aka Young's Modulus, etc. Stainless, spring steel, mild steel... are all essentially the same. IIRC, SST is slightly less than mild steel, but it's the difference of 28 million PSI vs 29 million for mild steel, alloy steel.....

Technically correct, but irrelevant, as the OP really cares about yield strength.

 

[Walkers]

Stiffness is based on geometry of the cross section for steel. It's determined by Modulus of Elasticity, aka Young's Modulus, etc. Stainless, spring steel, mild steel... are all essentially the same. IIRC, SST is slightly less than mild steel, but it's the difference of 28 million PSI vs 29 million for mild steel, alloy steel.....

So you are saying a 1/16” Allen key and a 1/16” baling wire are equally stiff?

 

[lilredex]

Look for a choke/throttle cable off an old car, truck, mower, etc. Small and super stiff.

 

[Tinner]

I'm grateful no one has posted a picture of their stiff rod.

 

[dnschmidt]

Piano wire which I get from McMaster-Carr. Sadly, if you really need it tomorrow you're screwed. TIG wire would likely work with stainless TIG wire being VERY likely to work.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Coat hanger wire

 

[Bobioz1]

Fishing hook

 

[LXCam]

A large Paperclip

 

[Milton Shaw]

Bicycle spoke would work great for that. They even have a "J" bend on the end but it has a head to get in the way.

 

[CallumRD1]

So you are saying a 1/16” Allen key and a 1/16” baling wire are equally stiff?

Yes but only before the point of plastic deformation. So under loads light enough for the material to return to it's original state, a given load will result in the same deflection for either material. The big difference is that a piece of heat treated steel like your Allen key will have a much higher yield point so you can bend it much farther before it yields and takes a set. Once one material has yielded then the stiffness plummets and it will not take much force to keep bending the yielded material.

In the OP's situation he wants a material that is stiff enough AND with a high enough yield strength to perform the job without deforming plastically. TIG filler wire is very soft and thus has a very low yield strength so it takes a set very easily. Something like piano wire is hardened so can handle a lot more stress before yielding.

 

[Walkers]

Yes but only before the point of plastic deformation. So under loads light enough for the material to return to it's original state, a given load will result in the same deflection for either material. The big difference is that a piece of heat treated steel like your Allen key will have a much higher yield point so you can bend it much farther before it yields and takes a set. Once one material has yielded then the stiffness plummets and it will not take much force to keep bending the yielded material.

In the OP's situation he wants a material that is stiff enough AND with a high enough yield strength to perform the job without deforming plastically. TIG filler wire is very soft and thus has a very low yield strength so it takes a set very easily. Something like piano wire is hardened so can handle a lot more stress before yielding.

So the baling wires plastic deformation occurs almost immediately and the Allen keys occurs a lot later, like 500% later. I would not call those equally stiff.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

So the baling wires plastic deformation occurs almost immediately and the Allen keys occurs a lot later, like 500% later. I would not call those equally stiff.

They're equally stiff, if we remove all criteria relating to stiffness. LOL

 

[rlitman]

So the baling wires plastic deformation occurs almost immediately and the Allen keys occurs a lot later, like 500% later. I would not call those equally stiff.

As I said, Steve_P is technically correct. The language of mechanical engineering is precise and specific, and stiffness has a clear definition, which is not all that useful to the OP.

Piano wire which I get from McMaster-Carr. Sadly, if you really need it tomorrow you're screwed. TIG wire would likely work with stainless TIG wire being VERY likely to work.

Order piano wire when all sorts of places have pianos you can just visit in the night with wire cutters?

But seriously, every hobby shop has piano wire. It's a staple of control in RC aircraft among other things. My local Ace hardware even has a "hobby" aisle with a selection of balsa, brass tubes, and of course, piano wire, as to many craft stores.

Anyway, my comment is a week late by now.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Coat hanger wire

Easily accessible and one of the better, practical options.