Show your homemade tools

[nyncompute]

I'm a little embarrassed showing these in light of the talent we have on this board, but if you're like me, sometimes you don't have the right tool to do the job. So what do you do? Go caveman and make your own!
Example1:

I found it difficult to set the rivets when I rebuilt my wing windows so I got a $1.00 Harbor Fright chisel and notched and welded the setting tool to the end. This allowed me to swing the hammer safely above the frame of window.
Example 2:

I ground a cheap 17MM socket and fashioned a crude spanner to work with the switch bezels.
Example:3 The most shameful of all , I hammered a piece of coat hanger to fit in the electrical terminals to release them from their case.
I know it's not much but I pretty sure these separate me from lower forms of life.

[joedoozer]

I have a few at home I made when I was in highschool. Also a few that my dad made (around the same time). I will post pics tonight.

[Blue'72]

This was the prototype. The finished "tool" didn't work much better, but with a little more creative ingenuity I think it would be handy.

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by Blue'72

This was the prototype. The finished "tool" didn't work much better, but with a little more creative ingenuity I think it would be handy.
Attachment 343657

Wouldn't a wire wheel bit for your drill or hand-held grinder do the job.


Here's my custom header spark plug socket. Best $1 ever spent at Advance auto parts. Make sure to buy the cheap socket found at the register, the metal isn't as hard to cut.

[jayharrell]

Like the eletric tooth brush there.

[bryanw1968]

What kind of headers are those?
B

Originally Posted by Jim_PA

Wouldn't a wire wheel bit for your drill or hand-held grinder do the job.


Here's my custom header spark plug socket. Best $1 ever spent at Advance auto parts. Make sure to buy the cheap socket found at the register, the metal isn't as hard to cut.

[sneakysnake]

These are some bigger things I made because I needed them, A press and engine stand.I also have a engine hoist.

[whatnow123]

Originally Posted by bryanw1968

What kind of headers are those?
B

I will answer for Jim as I know (I kept pinging him on his exhuast). They are Doug Thorly Tri'y's. No idea on the part number, but he has thread on the exhaust install.

[Blue'72]

I was wondering what was up with that spark plug socket until I saw the picture in use. That's a cool idea!

The electric "tooth" brush was supposed to be for the hard to reach areas inside the frame rails. If I had a dog gone blade that didn't wobble back and forth so much, I think it would have worked.. It did help using heavy duty wire ties to keep the brush from flying off...

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by Blue'72

I was wondering what was up with that spark plug socket until I saw the picture in use. That's a cool idea!

The electric "tooth" brush was supposed to be for the hard to reach areas inside the frame rails. If I had a dog gone blade that didn't wobble back and forth so much, I think it would have worked.. It did help using heavy duty wire ties to keep the brush from flying off...

HA HA! Only laughing because I could see myself attempting the exact same thing.

Yeah, if you look at my spark plug inside the head, you can see there's no way to tighten them with a wrench. So, I either needed to make this tool, or buy a real headersocket for $40, or buy shorty plugs. I have that socket in a very special place now, so I'm sure it doesn't get lost.

[joedoozer]

Here are a bunch.

First off is the SBC oil pump pick up tube installer. Makes it easier to tap it in.

Another view


Second are these plates I made to pressure test the coolant passages when an engine is assembled. I have a bunch of plates and rubber gaskets.

Another view


Next is a tool for carrying SBC heads easily. Just screws into spark plug hole.


This one is to prime an engine with oil before start up. Take dizzy out and clamp this in place. Run it with a drill. Just an old SBC push rod squished on one end, and a mounting peice made by my father.


Next 2 pics are a special socket made to slide on the end of the crankshaft. I use this when assembling the engine. Using a beam type torque wrench you can check the amount of pressure needed to turn the crank over. Makes it easy to spot a problem before you get too far into the assembly.

Another view


This last tool is a cam bearing installer. The top part goes in the end of the shaft, this is what you hit with the hammer. The second piece slides in the bearing. Wrap it one time with masking tape to protect the bearing. The bottom one, is keeps everything centered. Only thing not pictured is the metal tube.



Kind of a long post, but there are my homemade tools. Only thing not shown is a finger of a leather glove I cut off. I put this over the open end wrench when I am working with batteries, and stuff. A little security, so I don't worry about banging it on something and arc welding it haha.

[nyncompute]

Just what I was afraid of. That engine rebuiling stuff makes my "innovations" look prehistoric.

[68 short step]

sheshhhhhh, you're all professional like...those tools dont look to ghetto at all...

Originally Posted by joedoozer

Here are a bunch.

First off is the SBC oil pump pick up tube installer. Makes it easier to tap it in.

Another view


Second are these plates I made to pressure test the coolant passages when an engine is assembled. I have a bunch of plates and rubber gaskets.

Another view


Next is a tool for carrying SBC heads easily. Just screws into spark plug hole.


This one is to prime an engine with oil before start up. Take dizzy out and clamp this in place. Run it with a drill. Just an old SBC push rod squished on one end, and a mounting peice made by my father.


Next 2 pics are a special socket made to slide on the end of the crankshaft. I use this when assembling the engine. Using a beam type torque wrench you can check the amount of pressure needed to turn the crank over. Makes it easy to spot a problem before you get too far into the assembly.

Another view


This last tool is a cam bearing installer. The top part goes in the end of the shaft, this is what you hit with the hammer. The second piece slides in the bearing. Wrap it one time with masking tape to protect the bearing. The bottom one, is keeps everything centered. Only thing not pictured is the metal tube.



Kind of a long post, but there are my homemade tools. Only thing not shown is a finger of a leather glove I cut off. I put this over the open end wrench when I am working with batteries, and stuff. A little security, so I don't worry about banging it on something and arc welding it haha.

[joedoozer]

Nonsense. I was looking at that socket you made thinking........damn I wish I had that last week haha.

[BurnoutNova]

i have a pretty sweet slidehammer with vicegrips on one end my dad made... i use it all the time

and on the oil priming tools you have to have the distributer body on there if you want oil pressure to both sides of the motor...

i'll have to get some pics of mine

[68GMCCustom]

....nobody has patents on any of these tools yet,
do they???

[ETsC10]

Being less than tall, I climb in and sit in the engine bay often. It didn't take too many reminders to ram a chunk of styrofoam down over the hood catch!

[DavesRide]

This may be a funny time and place but tools often come in handy when you never expected them to. Yesterday my kitchen sink handle broke off of post and I have not had a chance to get to hardware store. My trusty old tool box provided a deep 5 MM and extension to get the dishes done. Maybe a little Home Improvement coming soon.

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by DavesRide

This may be a funny time and place but tools often come in handy when you never expected them to. Yesterday my kitchen sink handle broke off of post and I have not had a chance to get to hardware store. My trusty old tool box provided a deep 5 MM and extension to get the dishes done. Maybe a little Home Improvement coming soon.

[Sillyoldman]

I'm no genius inventor. I did although make a couple items.

[odog]

Originally Posted by Sillyoldman

I'm no genius inventor. I did although make a couple items.

We used to call mallets like that Commanders, they work good at persudaing things to go into place.

[corn]

Heres my test light that buzzes instead of a light. Handy for tail lite work & such...

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by corn

Heres my test light that buzzes instead of a light. Handy for tail lite work & such...

dang, thats really a great idea....you better patten that one..

[nds1968]

I made these to putty the floor of my bed. The wood blocks worked great.

Guys i have been wanting to make a thread like this i think homemade tools are amazing and i have made several and have alot more on the drawing board. I am going home this up coming week for spring break so ill be able to get some picture of the tools i already have completed such as a dimple maker for floor boards, oil pump primer and other sbc tools.