Welder Mechanic/Machinist home brewed tools

[D2Cat]

Ray's welding thread got me to thinking about different projects.

Every once in a while there is something that requires "outside the box" solutions. While working on a L2050 I had installed the water pump and realized I had missed a bolt. I ended up making a tool to reach it. Cut off a box end wrench and welded it to a screwdriver. Even then I had to grind down the OD of the box end to reach in the area.

Last week I noticed a leaking fluid on the L4240. It was hyd. oil from the cooler up front of the radiator. The line comes down a couple of inches and turns for a couple of inches then curves again and is clamped onto tubing going back.

No room for anything in there. It took a while to figure what size head, if it had one, on the wire clamp. Finally looked an another clamp and realized it was a 10mm. I could not get a 1/4" drive ratchet with a socket in there. So I finally took a 10mm socket and welded it to a rod to reach up in there and get it tight. It was loose about two full turns!

I think during assembly the clamp is installed, then later it's in an awkward position to reach.

 

[Fordtech86]

Re: Home made tools

Harbor freight wrenches are good for something lol. I’ve got a selection of modified tools at work as well. With a torch and a welder you can get a wrench to fit almost anywhere. Have quite a few that have been heated and bent to fit and a couple that have been cut in half and welded at 90 degrees, works great for getting to the front cab mount nuts on the super duty’s that like to spin.

 

[redfernclan]

Re: Home made tools

Been turning wrenches for over 30 years and I can't tell you how many "custom" made tools I have made. Thin wall box end wrenches, stubby wrenches, spanner sockets made from brazing key stock to the outside of a socket. The best times were working at a saw mill. The manager believed in having the steel and tools on hand to get what needed done done so when we would be rebuilding a hyd cylinder and needed a 10 inch spanner wrench, you go cut one out of 1 inch plate, grind the corners off, custom fit it for the cyl and set it aside for next time. Learned a lot of fabrication skills there.

 

[RCW]

Home made tools

All I can think is "Necessity is the mother of invention."

The ingenuity you guys have never ceases to amaze me!

I've modified a few tools.. usually accidentally, and not in a good way!

Honestly, have done a couple intentionally after seeing examples here. Like fordtech said, HF wrenches are handy for something!

I've been working on the 'Moline lately. It's still at my folks due to a governor problem. Replaced the governor and she runs much better, but linkage is a little wonky with the replacement governor. Common for them.

Since it's an hour away, it's tough to get exact measurements/geometry.. .just the stock governor rod seems "a little" too long ....

I made an adjustable-length/geometry linkage that should work.... I hope... Also, have a couple "extra" ends I made of different lengths to provide more versatility/alternatives.

I know I was inspired by you guys to try to make something that might work. 1/4" rod was $3 for 3 feet...

OEM governor rod, on left. My adaptation on right...