Made some tools today

[M.C..]

As I will be changing my inner tie rods in a few weeks I decided to make some tools as I did not want to spend money on tools that will only be used once or twice, or be struggling for a few hours.

First is a old machine spanner that I cut the end off and as it was too big I welded one jaw and ground it to 32mm then welded a 1/2 inch drive socket on so I can get extension bars on it.

next I decided to make one that will slide over the tie rod, It comprises of a tube with a 1/2 inch drive socket welded in the one end then I turned and bored out a sleeve and drilled and tapped 6 holes in the end so they will line up with the flats on the tie rod, so in theory I can tighten the screws and it should lock onto the tie rod (the screws have got to be changed to grub screws).

 

[DomP182]

Nice welds!

 

[Knuckles]

Love it

 

[Tony Hunter]

A lot of effort, but as above, nice welds.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Awesome welding Looks really good, although not sure I would have bothered when you can buy one for about 30 quid and its on a cam principle so it grips in place rather than having to mess around doing up the grub screws etc.

 

[Matt@codered]

Hmmm, £30 or free.....
If I had spare time and skills/equipment I'd make my own tools all the time!

 

[M.C..]

Thanks, as said this was free and about 1 1/2 of my time, anyone can gout and buy something but you don't get the satisfaction of making it myself .
that £30 saving means more beer for me tomorrow

 

[Chip-mk1]

Hmmm, £30 or free.....
If I had spare time and skills/equipment I'd make my own tools all the time!

Its only free if your time has no value, lol.

It is satisfying making tools though

 

[Bobby.]

That only really applies if your self employed Chip, say for example, you work a 9-5 job and have an hour lunch break. Then the lunch break is not worth anything so making a tool then is £30 saved and not really any time lost.

 

[105e]

All for making tools if possible, done engine hoist, ramps, oil filter remover and a few more smaller items. Probably not actually saved much money if I had had to buy all the materials.

 

[Chip-mk1]

That only really applies if your self employed Chip, say for example, you work a 9-5 job and have an hour lunch break. Then the lunch break is not worth anything so making a tool then is £30 saved and not really any time lost.

Agreed totally mate, and also if you enjoy making it then its free entertainment not time wasted, it was only a tongue in cheek comment hence the "lol"

 

[George@RTR_Parts]

Good effort :approve:

 

[Bluebeard]

Lovely welding!

 

[Fletcher]

As others have said nice welding.

 

[M.C..]

Thanks for the comments on the welding.
I enjoy doing TIG (no splatter burning your head lol) but I don't really do enough of it and all self taught.

 

[marcushookdale]

nice TIG welding .thumbs up from me.

 

[M.C..]

Well I changed the inner tie rods today with the new tool (tube one) and it was so easy took about 5 mins to remove old one then refit the new one, the hardest part was refitting the rubber boot, well worth the effort making it.