ahebron Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 Pipecleaners are a very versatile tool in my garage. Often used instead of a small paint brush when painting holes drilled in bodywork. After it has been used just cut the used end off and you have a perfectly good shorter pipecleaner for future use. Same with getting grease and oil into small places. And you can clean pipes with them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Twitchen Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 6 hours ago, ahebron said: And you can clean pipes with them Counts as 'essential' shopping along with the Condor and matches in my book!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bfg Posted May 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2020 Paint spraying turntable . . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bfg Posted May 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2020 Has anyone come up with neat home made sheet metal working tools ? I've seen cheapo manual folding devices on auction websites - are they any good for chassis-weight steel (like for making up new chassis U sections) ? and aside from a disc on an angle grinder is there an easier way to cut long lengths of sheet metal ..that's too thick for hand shears.? Cheers, Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted May 2, 2020 Report Share Posted May 2, 2020 24 minutes ago, Bfg said: Has anyone come up with neat home made sheet metal working tools ? I've seen cheapo manual folding devices on auction websites - are they any good for chassis-weight steel (like for making up new chassis U sections) ? and aside from a disc on an angle grinder is there an easier way to cut long lengths of sheet metal ..that's too thick for hand shears.? Cheers, Pete https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saxton-5pcs-Double-Head-Cutter-Sheet-Metal-Nibbler-Cutter-Power-Drill-Attachment/372465652038?hash=item56b8aed146:g:OMsAAOSwsXNeqVnx These things do the job Pete, so long as you take it steady and don't rush it. Good for going round corners as well. Tony. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted May 2, 2020 Report Share Posted May 2, 2020 I have an air-powered nibbler - same principle as the one Tony referenced but all-in-one and more compact than an electric drill. It works superbly up to about 14 gauge. Beyond that, I'd probably use my air-powered saw, something like https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/8034592023?iid=362772308262&chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=362772308262&targetid=877508928879&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9044887&poi=&campaignid=9441210654&mkgroupid=95524605733&rlsatarget=aud-629407026905:pla-877508928879&abcId=1139356&merchantid=138359096&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtLT1BRD9ARIsAMH3BtV4YB9CGAT4Ki291DGAvqxl2by-n7Zf5K5Jk0z53MVfjqs_pfoIo6kaAoq6EALw_wcB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahebron Posted May 2, 2020 Report Share Posted May 2, 2020 I bought an Evolution circular saw which will cut up to 6mm plate.https://shop.evolutionpowertools.com/collections/metal-working-range I was sceptical but at the price for a brand new saw I couldnt pass it by. And it does everything I wanted it to do, I have cut 4mm thick box with it and 2mm sheet with ease. Obviously being what it is cutting bends is not its forte. For curves the plasma cutter set correctly is the bollocks but best not free hand. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 Only 1 small "home made" element to this lot... it's my kit of tools for getting the head studs out on a Dolomite 1850 engine... The important bit is the 7/16" UNC nuts, one of them has the head ground down from 11/16" AF to 5/8" AF. That allows the 11/16" deep socket to go over it when "double nutting" apply torque to JUST the lower nut. This is important because on the 1850 Dolomite there isn't enough room around the head studs to get spanners in to double nut in the usual way. The ground down nut is a bit sacrificial, they only tend to last 3 or 4 studs, but they get the job done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahebron Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 Hi YS Is that because you have to remove the head studs to remove the head? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 10 minutes ago, ahebron said: Hi YS Is that because you have to remove the head studs to remove the head? Yes, not enough clearance around the inner wing to get the head off with the studs in place. (Even with the exhaust manifold removed) Pictures: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 One for freeing up seized brake adjusters - might even work to adjust the brakes in situ. The adjuster is 1/4 inch so any 1/4 inch-drive socket fits on; I've used 1/2 inch, with a 1/2 inch bolt in the socket and two nuts to lock it up. Put the adjuster in a vice, plenty of penetrating oil, and work it gently back and forth. If it's really stuck, use a bigger socket and therefore a bigger bolt, nuts and spanner. Easier to grip and work with than the square brake-adjusting spanner which usually cuts into your fingers, or distorts. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 6 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: One for freeing up seized brake adjusters - might even work to adjust the brakes in situ. The adjuster is 1/4 inch so any 1/4 inch-drive socket fits on; I've used 1/2 inch, with a 1/2 inch bolt in the socket and two nuts to lock it up. Put the adjuster in a vice, plenty of penetrating oil, and work it gently back and forth. If it's really stuck, use a bigger socket and therefore a bigger bolt, nuts and spanner. Easier to grip and work with than the square brake-adjusting spanner which usually cuts into your fingers, or distorts. That's brill Colin. I have a 1/4" square "ring" spanner for the adjusters, but it never gives me confidence on the fit like your arrangement would! I'm nicking that idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 21 minutes ago, yorkshire_spam said: That's brill Colin. I have a 1/4" square "ring" spanner for the adjusters, but it never gives me confidence on the fit like your arrangement would! I'm nicking that idea! I have a cheap brake adjuster spanner and it cuts the fingers off me every time I use it! One of the last adjusters I worked on was so seized the entire vice was moving round. As we say over here: that idea with the socket soon put manners in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 3 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: I have a cheap brake adjuster spanner and it cuts the fingers off me every time I use it! One of the last adjusters I worked on was so seized the entire vice was moving round. As we say over here: that idea with the socket soon put manners in it. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-Adjuster-1-4-x-11-32-Sq-FITS-Classic-MG-1100-1300-Magnette-MGB-GT-etc/143591310901?hash=item216eb58635:g:6r0AAOSwrgFep-q6 I use a Girling one similar to this colin and never had a problem. I have another that i have ground down at one end to fit the old style mini front drum brakes. Tony. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 2 minutes ago, poppyman said: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-Adjuster-1-4-x-11-32-Sq-FITS-Classic-MG-1100-1300-Magnette-MGB-GT-etc/143591310901?hash=item216eb58635:g:6r0AAOSwrgFep-q6 I use a Girling one similar to this colin and never had a problem. I have another that i have ground down at one end to fit the old style mini front drum brakes. Tony. I was watching one of those last month, but didn't bid. I'll get one eventually, they look kinder to the fingers than the meat-slicer version I use, which distorted considerably when introduced to a hammer and a seized adjuster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 That's better! Thnak you, Sam and Colin! But poppyman, you're letting the side down! "HOME MADE TOOLS" is the subject of this thread!! Nothing that you can buy, on ebay or anywhere! John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 1 hour ago, JohnD said: That's better! Thnak you, Sam and Colin! But poppyman, you're letting the side down! "HOME MADE TOOLS" is the subject of this thread!! Nothing that you can buy, on ebay or anywhere! John I was simply trying to help someone, as they asked a question not me.....but your not really into that nojh are you.?? And according to above Pete and Colin it has helped...... And it is listed as "tips and tricks" So i have given a couple of tips to help people..... Nothing wrong in that as far as i can see......... Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 6 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said: I have a cheap brake adjuster spanner and it cuts the fingers off me every time I use it! One of the last adjusters I worked on was so seized the entire vice was moving round. As we say over here: that idea with the socket soon put manners in it. I did it the opposite way round, gripped the adjusting screw in the vice and put a BIG open-ended spanner on the Brake fitting!. That worked. The 1/4sq Brake spanners have been around for a long time. I think I may have a couple somewhere. I once welded a Nut over the top of the square, the combination of heat and the better grip soon shifted it. Saved stripping down the brake system!. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bfg Posted May 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 11 hours ago, poppyman said: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-Adjuster-1-4-x-11-32-Sq-FITS-Classic-MG-1100-1300-Magnette-MGB-GT-etc/143591310901?hash=item216eb58635:g:6r0AAOSwrgFep-q6 I use a Girling one similar to this colin and never had a problem. I have another that i have ground down at one end to fit the old style mini front drum brakes. Tony. ^ I was misusing one of those on Friday . . . ^ when I'm cleaning the thread of nuts - I use my brake adjuster as a convenient handle for the thread's tap - then I have the other end free to turn the nut. In this instance I was re-using very old but specifically shaped BSF nuts on a vintage motorcycle ..and then need to accurately but low torque them down for even tightness on aluminium cases - so their threads had to be clean and run free. 11 hours ago, JohnD said: But poppyman, you're letting the side down! "HOME MADE TOOLS" is the subject of this thread!! Nothing that you can buy, on ebay or anywhere! John Perhaps the misuse of bought (or otherwise acquired) tools satisfies the criteria ? Pete. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahebron Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 These are mostly homemade so should be ok for inclusion, can't make my own pins.😉 B But this is partialy home made so its sitting on the fence😉 s Some of you might have seen these on another forum that decided to delete photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 8 hours ago, Bfg said: ^ I was misusing one of those on Friday . . Yes, I also misuse them for that purpose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 8 hours ago, Bfg said: ^ I was misusing one of those on Friday . . . ^ when I'm cleaning the thread of nuts - I use my brake adjuster as a convenient handle for the thread's tap - then I have the other end free to turn the nut. In this instance I was re-using very old but specifically shaped BSF nuts on a vintage motorcycle ..and then need to accurately but low torque them down for even tightness on aluminium cases - so their threads had to be clean and run free. Perhaps the misuse of bought (or otherwise acquired) tools satisfies the criteria ? Pete. Absolutely! John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahebron Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 In my books misuse of a tool comes a close second to the correct use. Especaily when it involves a hammer😜 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 i often use a 3/8 to 1/4 square drive adapter stick a 7/16" bi hex socket on the 3/8" end and with a 6"extension bar and ratchet easy to wind adjusters up or down with the wheels on Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 3 hours ago, ahebron said: These are mostly homemade so should be ok for inclusion, can't make my own pins.😉 B OK! Puzzle pictures too! The right hand one might be for removing the bezel on dash switches, but it's a bit big, I think, and has holes for a tommy bar, hardly needed for a switch bezel. But the one on the left??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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