Okay, So a short time back I posted about using 10 gage copper wire to help save space within my tool chest. Well, this did not work out as planned. So back to the drawing board. I managed to locate a old steel door spring loitering around in my garage. Anyway after putting the spring in a vise and now using my propane torch, I may have come up with something. Unfortunately the diameter of the spring was to small (about 3/4 inch) but the coils in the spring now being red hot did what I wanted. I could extend the distance between the coils or better yet decrease the distance allowing the wrench to fit snugly into place. So my next trip to my local box store I will pick up a return door spring and see if this idea could possibly be a success. It will have to be 1 inch or greater. Ken.
Wrench Holder.
- Thread starter Kenskip1
- Start date
AffableCurmudgeon
Well-known member
this Harbor Freight racks are pretty cheap, why mess with springs?
www.harborfreight.com
Magnetic Wrench Rack, 4-Piece
Amazing deals on this 4Pc Magnetic Wrench Rack at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
One is my local HF dealer is 45 miles from my home one way. Two, the spacing between the wrenches is to great taking up much needed space.. From the image show only two sets of wrenches will take up nearly a full draw. The draws are 16X22this Harbor Freight racks are pretty cheap, why mess with springs?
Magnetic Wrench Rack, 4-Piece
Amazing deals on this 4Pc Magnetic Wrench Rack at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
![20230906_155712[1].jpg](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/1795/1795939-88d0f9c6066c4a066775f75bcede50c5.jpg "20230906_155712[1].jpg")
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Buck_nekid
Well-known member
The obvious answer is to buy another box.
flyingblind
Well-known member
Was the copper too soft? You might be able to harden it with a torch. Heat it up hot hot and let it cool slow. Then bend it into coils. Known as work hardening.
Hardening copper
Hardening copper
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Heating copper and letting it cool, or even quenching it in water anneals it or makes it softer.
And I don't know who wrote that article, but copper does not age harden like some other metals, particularly aluminum.
It does work harden, but will take some more effort than simply coiling it once.
flyingblind
Well-known member
You could run it through a rolling mill and then coil it. I have hardened copper pounding it out.
Yes another box would be great however, space and $$$ are in short supply.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
You could do that if you have a rolling mill, that will work harden it.
And you are correct that hammering it will harden it as well, very quickly.
flyingblind
Well-known member
Copper around a piece of acme rod and straighten then repeat, probably only take one pull straightening to make it hard enough. A vise has acme thread.