Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

This is the place for posts that don't fit into any other category.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
doctle
Posts: 947
Joined: 16 Oct 2014, 12:17
Location: Meath Ireland
My Cars: 2008 Laguna 1.5 DCi
x 235

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by doctle »

Irish hillbilly engineering. This little device was used to cut the head of a laguna wishbone bolt. I was skinning my knuckles on the car so this scrap of ply was added to the junior hacksaw. 2 blades and 10 minutes later it was done. The alternative was to drop the sub-frame disconnect the rack etc, no fun without a lift.
Attachments
saw.jpg
Oh buggle
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24565
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

NewcastleFalcon wrote: 24 Aug 2020, 12:12
NewcastleFalcon wrote: 16 Aug 2018, 23:33 ...my "spring compressors" are worth a mention here too

Image
and they were out again today, do the job, cost next to nothing, reusable

Image

Regards Neil
and again today (same ones!)
DSC00285.JPG
REgards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
Steve Walsh
Donor 2023
Posts: 448
Joined: 25 Oct 2019, 07:20
Location: SW France
My Cars: C5 Aircross 2021 VR7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
Kawasaki ZR1100 1994
C4 Hatchback
Yamaha XVS650A 2001
x 361

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by Steve Walsh »

Seem to spend a lot of time making various tools even though I have workshop full of Snap-on and other stuff, It is never enough,
Here are this weeks creations

Valve spring compressor
1.6 PSA HDI Aux Belt removal and refitting tool, ( the small one in the pic )
2.2 Duratorq Transit Aux belt tool
Set of cylinder head stands
And always making various timing pins
Attachments
IMG_3017.JPG
IMG_3016.JPG
Thanx to Marc and all the admins & knowledgeable people that make this the best forum on the interweb. =D> =D> =D>
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24565
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

The Strut-top nut tool that cracked the 21mm offset spanner requirement.
T40 Torx key<br />8mm Socket<br />10&quot; Extension<br />15/16ths AF open spanner
T40 Torx key
8mm Socket
10" Extension
15/16ths AF open spanner
the other item is described on the socket as a Draper 14mm Plug, and it has a 15/16ths ish hex at the top, and the socket itself is 21mm and so ideal for the task in hand.

Now you chaps who know more than me could maybe tell me where on earth the 14mm that is stamped on the side comes from. It is a plug-socket.

Worked beautifully, the extension and 8mm socket fits over the shorter end of the T40 Torx key for the necessary leverage, the longer end of the T40 Torx key fits the top of the strut through the plug-socket, and the 15/16ths spanner acts on the hex of the plug socket.

Result :-D

Regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
User avatar
mickthemaverick
Donor 2024
Posts: 13523
Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
Location: Hertford
My Cars: 70+ former cars (list available) including 11 Citroens, 3 Renaults
Current cars: 2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SEn, 1994 Mazda MX3
x 6011

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by mickthemaverick »

I think this will answer that question Neil, it refers to the thread size of the spark plug which the socket fits:
BFTW
BFTW
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24565
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

mickthemaverick wrote: 24 Jul 2021, 22:03 I think this will answer that question Neil, it refers to the thread size of the spark plug which the socket fits:

Image
Never knew that :-D A lucky fit for me from a socket that was lying around the tool box.

REgards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
Online
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25366
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4889

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by myglaren »

Can't be without a laser:
User avatar
bobins
Donor 2023
Posts: 5697
Joined: 05 Jul 2012, 18:07
Location: Midhurst, West Sussex
My Cars: Kia Sportage
Mazda BT-50
Land Rover SIII SWB
V-F-R800
SL320
MX5
x 2871

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by bobins »

^^^^^^^^^^
What springs to mind is :

'You expect me to talk?'
“No, Mr Bond, I expect you to die” :lol:
Sadly no longer a C5 owner :(
Online
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25366
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4889

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by myglaren »

Exactly. Proper Hollywood laser sound.
Seems a bit extreme for a piston and I don't understand why they cleaned the rings then replaced them.
Online
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7171
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by Gibbo2286 »

A quick scrape of the top and a soak in cheapo cellulose thinners is all I've ever needed. :-D
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24565
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Tales from the toolbag

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

August 2021 :!: How can that be? nearly 2 years since the last entry on the thread.

Does no one realise it exists and contains page after page of interesting posts :?:

Well today I am pulling this one out the toolbag. I'm guessing but probably over 100 years old, and part of my Grandpa's tools of the trade now residing with me, and still pulled out should the occasion present itself. Today is one of those occasions when it will be doing what it was made for.
falcon original<br />brace and bit
falcon original
brace and bit
Not homemade or improvised of course, but as a habitual threadstarter, I always allow myself the full privileges of the threadstarter, on this occasion a mild deviation from what was probably an over-precise original title.

Anyway if you wish, have a browse around the pages of the thread so far and extract what entertainment you can :-D .

Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
Online
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7171
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by Gibbo2286 »

I remember those, at the end of the war my dad decided to dig out the Anderson shelter and turn it into a shed, to do so he had to drill half inch holes in the corrugated panels, to get some pressure on the drill he rigged up a 4x2 beam for a lever which I sat on pressing the drill down. :-D
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
User avatar
mickthemaverick
Donor 2024
Posts: 13523
Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
Location: Hertford
My Cars: 70+ former cars (list available) including 11 Citroens, 3 Renaults
Current cars: 2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SEn, 1994 Mazda MX3
x 6011

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by mickthemaverick »

I too had my Dad's B&B in my toolbox until an unfortunate incident involving a bottle of white spirit and a cigarette end adjusted the consistency of all the wooden handles in the box at the time!! i was able to save a couple of chisels and a screwdriver but the B&B was rendered inoperable!! :cry:
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
Online
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25366
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4889

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by myglaren »

My dad had one that saw very frequent use, even after he bought his first B&D that I inherited.
I wish I had grabbed the B&B too, someone else (not family) beat me to it, along with many more of his tools and books.

I do still have this one though. Doesn't get a lot of use.
DSCN0001 (copy).JPG
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24565
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Toolbag Tales-Homemade and improvised tools

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

Excellent contributions, well worth a revival just for those, thanks Gibbo, Mick and Steve!

Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
Post Reply