Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 25, 2012, 10:02:31 AM
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 25, 2012, 10:02:31 AM
Looking for tools you've made. Maybe the right tool didn't exist, maybe it was expensive, maybe you're left handed. Whatever reason, let's see 'em.
High Current test Light essentially the "headlight and 2 wires" you might have seen before, but I needed something lighter, less breakable, better handling, and generally not so shade tree looking. So I got a bunch of shatter resistant acrylic tubing, some 9004/9007 connectors, some leads, some headlight retaining rings, some test clamps and some drop light caps. Draws 5A wired to Lo, and 7A wired to Hi.
High Current test Light essentially the "headlight and 2 wires" you might have seen before, but I needed something lighter, less breakable, better handling, and generally not so shade tree looking. So I got a bunch of shatter resistant acrylic tubing, some 9004/9007 connectors, some leads, some headlight retaining rings, some test clamps and some drop light caps. Draws 5A wired to Lo, and 7A wired to Hi.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: cougarman on August 25, 2012, 10:05:20 AM
Post by: cougarman on August 25, 2012, 10:05:20 AM
Very nice!!
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: jcassity on August 25, 2012, 01:52:36 PM
Post by: jcassity on August 25, 2012, 01:52:36 PM
looks to be a couple steps from being a home made fog lamp ,,, great idea!
if you made a shorter version of that i would buy it!!
if you made a shorter version of that i would buy it!!
Title: Homemade Rear Caliper Tool
Post by: T-BirdX3 on August 25, 2012, 03:19:34 PM
Post by: T-BirdX3 on August 25, 2012, 03:19:34 PM
I originally posted this on NATO years ago.
This tool is used to turn the piston as you push it back into the caliper. I find it is easiest to attach the caliper and bracket to the axle but leave the rotor off. Then attach a ratchet and long extension to the "brake socket", I like to put a little wooden block between caliper and shock. Then just line up the teeth of the socket with the grooves on the piston push and turn.
(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee367/T-BirdX3/Thunderbirds/d3b2e934.jpg)
(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee367/T-BirdX3/Thunderbirds/9a604ffd.jpg)
(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee367/T-BirdX3/Thunderbirds/4b251cff.jpg)
This was just a cheap socket I used a handheld portaband (a hacksaw would work too it would just take longer) to cut the socket from the sides to create the teeth, just be sure to leave the teeth large enough to be usable. This is my first write up like this I hope I made everything clear, if not just ask I'll be glad to clear up anything that wasn't clear.
This tool is used to turn the piston as you push it back into the caliper. I find it is easiest to attach the caliper and bracket to the axle but leave the rotor off. Then attach a ratchet and long extension to the "brake socket", I like to put a little wooden block between caliper and shock. Then just line up the teeth of the socket with the grooves on the piston push and turn.
(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee367/T-BirdX3/Thunderbirds/d3b2e934.jpg)
(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee367/T-BirdX3/Thunderbirds/9a604ffd.jpg)
(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee367/T-BirdX3/Thunderbirds/4b251cff.jpg)
This was just a cheap socket I used a handheld portaband (a hacksaw would work too it would just take longer) to cut the socket from the sides to create the teeth, just be sure to leave the teeth large enough to be usable. This is my first write up like this I hope I made everything clear, if not just ask I'll be glad to clear up anything that wasn't clear.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: jcassity on August 26, 2012, 01:08:23 AM
Post by: jcassity on August 26, 2012, 01:08:23 AM
spring compressor tool
pretty easy to make with just a few s parts. It leaves the spring in the car and you can safely take out the lower control arms.
you just tighten either the top or bottom nuts and things smash together.
i got the idea from the shop manual and if you look along the frame, there is a round hold up there your suppose to drop in a hooked device to grab the spring, problem is the darn weld up of the frame forces your "hook" only to one side, mine just drops in the "other" opening and grabs the whole mess and it cant pop out.
pretty easy to make with just a few s parts. It leaves the spring in the car and you can safely take out the lower control arms.
you just tighten either the top or bottom nuts and things smash together.
i got the idea from the shop manual and if you look along the frame, there is a round hold up there your suppose to drop in a hooked device to grab the spring, problem is the darn weld up of the frame forces your "hook" only to one side, mine just drops in the "other" opening and grabs the whole mess and it cant pop out.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 26, 2012, 01:59:08 AM
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 26, 2012, 01:59:08 AM
I can see that this thread is going to be useful.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 26, 2012, 07:51:57 AM
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 26, 2012, 07:51:57 AM
It is always better to pull in a race than driving it in with a HAMMER. I made all my rear axle tools myself for this application. Here is a tool i made for a front drive for a GM DIFF. The aluminum housing is pr0ne for miss aligned bearing races. This tool pulls the race in square and as you can see a hammer would be impossible to use on this DIFF. I have made so many tools in my life i would be posting them for hours!!! And yes i made the threaded rod as well !!!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/tfalconier/32560cc1.jpg)
(http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt88/tomrenzo/family134.jpg)
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/tfalconier/32560cc1.jpg)
(http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt88/tomrenzo/family134.jpg)
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 26, 2012, 07:58:27 AM
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 26, 2012, 07:58:27 AM
How about including parts or modifications that are neat???
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 26, 2012, 08:01:40 AM
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 26, 2012, 08:01:40 AM
Here is a set of adapters to install big rotors on the rear of a TC diff. It is beneficial and very economical way to install bigger rotors and a 5 lug conversion!!!
(http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt88/tomrenzo/007-2.jpg)
(http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt88/tomrenzo/007-2.jpg)
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 26, 2012, 10:50:11 AM
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 26, 2012, 10:50:11 AM
I was looking for tools only for this thread, but a clean mods thread would be a good idea, too. The idea is to make a thread so useful that it becomes a sticky.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: Beau on August 26, 2012, 01:59:48 PM
Post by: Beau on August 26, 2012, 01:59:48 PM
Quote from: TheFoeYouKnow;396673
a thread so useful that it becomes a sticky.
It needs to be. :)
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: jcassity on August 26, 2012, 07:50:42 PM
Post by: jcassity on August 26, 2012, 07:50:42 PM
buzzer i found in a microwave i was harvesting parts for quickly became my code puller along with a paper clip.
Its easier to hear a beep than to look back and forth at paper and a flashing check engine light.
the other thing is what i use to troubleshoot circuits in the car that keep blowing fuses, just borrow your power seat circuit breaker and your off to the races with a fuse that resets itself.
Its easier to hear a beep than to look back and forth at paper and a flashing check engine light.
the other thing is what i use to troubleshoot circuits in the car that keep blowing fuses, just borrow your power seat circuit breaker and your off to the races with a fuse that resets itself.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 26, 2012, 08:54:00 PM
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 26, 2012, 08:54:00 PM
You've got to be careful with those breakers, I knew a tech a couple years back who would use them to diag circuits. He'd put one in and follow the smoke, no joke. Dude was crazy.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: Crazy88 on August 26, 2012, 10:14:10 PM
Post by: Crazy88 on August 26, 2012, 10:14:10 PM
That's called visual troubleshooting. ;)
Which is easier to find, a small nick in a harness or a melted stinking mess... Yep, that needs to be replaced alright.
Which is easier to find, a small nick in a harness or a melted stinking mess... Yep, that needs to be replaced alright.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: jcassity on August 27, 2012, 12:37:44 AM
Post by: jcassity on August 27, 2012, 12:37:44 AM
i had no choice one a circuit once,, had to look for smoke as well.
Moon gear rubbing power window harness.
Moon gear rubbing power window harness.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 27, 2012, 01:01:10 PM
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 27, 2012, 01:01:10 PM
Mr Cassity hang tight they are on their WAY. Some cool breakers for testing are included as i promised
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: jcassity on August 27, 2012, 05:54:41 PM
Post by: jcassity on August 27, 2012, 05:54:41 PM
Great!,,
I also use a mid trip dc breaker but for quickies i just use a circuit breaker.
its never "not" opened up before.
like i said, once upon a time i had to just "look for the smoke",, found it and replaced harness, this was on a Grand Am.
cant wait to get the ign switch mod done, the more i stare at it the more and more its like at the least two relays would be needed,, but thats a different topic for later.
I also use a mid trip dc breaker but for quickies i just use a circuit breaker.
its never "not" opened up before.
like i said, once upon a time i had to just "look for the smoke",, found it and replaced harness, this was on a Grand Am.
cant wait to get the ign switch mod done, the more i stare at it the more and more its like at the least two relays would be needed,, but thats a different topic for later.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 27, 2012, 08:58:18 PM
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 27, 2012, 08:58:18 PM
J Remember do not slave the ignition portion that runs the car!!!! If a relay fails you are STUCK. And they do fail from time to time. So look over the prints and do not isolate the running section of the switch. You know the section that feeds the ECM ETC!!! Thanks !!
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 27, 2012, 10:25:22 PM
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 27, 2012, 10:25:22 PM
Got more tools to share, or are we hijacking the thread?
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: jcassity on August 27, 2012, 10:31:27 PM
Post by: jcassity on August 27, 2012, 10:31:27 PM
sorry, this was rude of us.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: 88cougarfan on August 28, 2012, 01:21:59 AM
Post by: 88cougarfan on August 28, 2012, 01:21:59 AM
Quote from: TheFoeYouKnow;396735
You've got to be careful with those breakers, I knew a tech a couple years back who would use them to diag circuits. He'd put one in and follow the smoke, no joke. Dude was crazy.
The wire is useless once you let the smoke out of it...LOL I have used the circuit breaker to test for a short too, just got to be real careful.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: jcassity on August 28, 2012, 02:11:00 AM
Post by: jcassity on August 28, 2012, 02:11:00 AM
let me explain this tool
Found the blade in our garden when i was tilling back in the late 70's.
I made a handle for it and its been my corn knife ever since.
what the picture shows is a little off so this is called my brake line bleeder helper.
-tilt your steering wheel down
-pump up the brake
-put the blade on the brake pedal
-bow the knife until the handle is on the lower part of the steering wheel back side (at the 6 o'clock so to speak)
-now it should look like its dangerous : ) all bowed up
-go out to your zerk fitting and loosen, the corn knife straightens out and keeps presure on your pedal
-tighen brake line fitting, pump up pedal, insert the corn knife, go back out and bleed your brake.
basically its help when there is none.
Found the blade in our garden when i was tilling back in the late 70's.
I made a handle for it and its been my corn knife ever since.
what the picture shows is a little off so this is called my brake line bleeder helper.
-tilt your steering wheel down
-pump up the brake
-put the blade on the brake pedal
-bow the knife until the handle is on the lower part of the steering wheel back side (at the 6 o'clock so to speak)
-now it should look like its dangerous : ) all bowed up
-go out to your zerk fitting and loosen, the corn knife straightens out and keeps presure on your pedal
-tighen brake line fitting, pump up pedal, insert the corn knife, go back out and bleed your brake.
basically its help when there is none.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: jcassity on August 28, 2012, 02:35:35 AM
Post by: jcassity on August 28, 2012, 02:35:35 AM
here is another angle of my spring tool in action.
notice the control arm bolt with a modified head... that is a must to do or you wont get the bolt out.,,just some advise i took from someone here a long time ago and its well worth it.
notice the control arm bolt with a modified head... that is a must to do or you wont get the bolt out.,,just some advise i took from someone here a long time ago and its well worth it.
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 28, 2012, 06:17:29 AM
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 28, 2012, 06:17:29 AM
OK foe simmer down!!!
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/001-125.jpg)
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/003-54.jpg)
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/001-125.jpg)
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/003-54.jpg)
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: jcassity on August 28, 2012, 04:01:27 PM
Post by: jcassity on August 28, 2012, 04:01:27 PM
what is that stuff tom?
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 28, 2012, 07:16:36 PM
Post by: TOM Renzo on August 28, 2012, 07:16:36 PM
Top photo from left is a front pump remover for a tranny. The second tool is a chevy steering wheel snap ring press. The third is a spanner puller for carrier bearings ETC!! The forth is a hydraulic line separator for GM slave cylinders. And the last tool is a water pump rotators for some gm timing belt adjusters. The bottom photo is a set of alignment jigs to drill LS motors for early alternator mounts. The long rod is an oil pump spinning or priming tool for fords. And the puller is for the 2.3 & 20 L ford and many other timing belt crank cog remover. I have all sorts of home made tools. Years back tools like this were not available to some degree. Thanks
Title: Tools you've made yourself.
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 29, 2012, 07:26:34 AM
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on August 29, 2012, 07:26:34 AM
Good stuff