Making tension wrenchs

[ElGatoNegro]

Went down to the local auto parts store. Trying to find a wiper refill for the metal strip. On inspection all the refills now have a plastic strip. Guess they done away with the metal.

So my question is, where in the southern california area do I find metal strips to make tension wrenchs? Or what are some alternatives?

[jmart432]

wreckers

[phrygianradar]

Went down to the local auto parts store. Trying to find a wiper refill for the metal strip. On inspection all the refills now have a plastic strip. Guess they done away with the metal.

So my question is, where in the southern california area do I find metal strips to make tension wrenchs? Or what are some alternatives?

There are guys on this site who will send you wiper inserts. Gordon will; he works at an auto shop I am pretty sure. You can use street sweeper bristles… Do a search on "wiper blades" and "Sweeper bristle". That will give you all the info you need!

[GWiens2001]

Shoot me a PM with your address, and will get some in the mail to you.

Gordon

[mseifert]

You can also go to salvage yards and remove the blade (Not the arm) .. Not saying it will work for you, but last time I visited a yard they let me take as many as I wanted because they are mostly useless.

[ElGatoNegro]

Thanks for heads up on salvage yards. Next day off I'll have go to one.

[billdeserthills]

All you need to make a tension wrench is a wire hanger & a hammer. Cut a 4 inch or so long piece of the wire and bend it into an "L" shape. Now pound it on the end until it has flattened out. I usually use a grinder or a file to make the end the right size & square and you have a great top of keyway tension wrench.

[cheerIO]

All you need to make a tension wrench is a wire hanger & a hammer. Cut a 4 inch or so long piece of the wire and bend it into an "L" shape. Now pound it on the end until it has flattened out. I usually use a grinder or a file to make the end the right size & square and you have a great top of keyway tension wrench.

I do the same thing with bicycle spokes. 89 cents a piece at my local bike shop. They hold their shape a lot better than clothes hangers. But hangers work almost as well.

[Harris845]

CHeerIO Do you use flat spokes? what mm spokes do you get? Do you heat them up before bending or twisting them?

[cheerIO]

CHeerIO Do you use flat spokes? what mm spokes do you get? Do you heat them up before bending or twisting them?

I didn't know they had flat spokes. It's been a while since I rode bikes seriously. I'll have to ask for a couple of them next time I go.

I just get "regular" spokes. They seem to be 2mm thick. I haven't needed to heat them up, I just bend them with pliers. It's tough but do-able. I pound the ends flat on a little anvil I have. Sometimes I just file or use the bench grinder to take material off. For a keyway that is wider you can use the end that has the "knob" on it.

The trick is to get it zero clearance. When you get it right with a good friction fit, the wrench won't move and it makes a huge difference. I realized on some locks that half my effort in picking was spent trying to keep the wrench in the keyway.

[boxtool5]

I have used the flat spring wire from collapsible mesh laundry baskets. Depending on the basket (cost and quality) the size of the flat wire will vary from either the same or up to double the size of the steel from wipers (and you get 4, 5 or 6 foot lengths).