Adjustable wrench

[Buzzzy]

There has been a lot of praise lately for the Falle adjustable wrenches, I may break down and buy a set, but the markup seems strong. This is a hobby site, and I love building tools, so I thought I would design something that could be built for a few cents, in a few minutes.
This tool was made with two pairs of needle nose pliars, files, sandpaper, and parts from around the shop.
The nut and screw and fender washers are #6, with a wiper insert.
If you can build a twist flex wrench, this should be no problem.

I can see some design improvements, when I get this tweaked I might just build a set.

Buddy

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=6/15921133239.jpg&s=f5
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=6/15921082912.jpg&s=f5
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=6/15921110165.jpg&s=f5

[Jason13]

One word.


WOW

[ThE_MasteR]

Pretty.

[undeadspacehippie]

Wow, I like that alot. I'm going to work on that. I just received a mess-o-wiper-blades.

Nice job, thanks for the pics. Very clear shots.

[digital_blue]

That is really fantastic work. Very nice!

[illusion]

Good thinking!

You seem to make some nice picks and wrenches.

Amazing what is possible when using common equipment, but using your brain.

[raimundo]

well I'm gonna make one with crossed legs and a slider to adjust the width

[unbreakable]

That's ....... Very Sexy.

Nice job, now I want one. I have some scrap wiper blades, I think I'll try making one.


Unbrekable

[Buzzzy]

Thanks guys for all the kind words. I like building tools about as much as working with them, in a sense they are somewhat alike, solving an engineering puzzle with your hands. I'm glad to be able to share something that might be helpful to others.

Ray I would like to order your first one. LOL

Thanks
Buddy

[zeke79]

Buddy,

Very nice work there. Make a set for common keyways and make them fit as tight at possible without getting caught between the plug and shell. Once again, very nice!

[undeadspacehippie]

well I'm gonna make one with crossed legs and a slider to adjust the width

Raimundo - any ideas what you are going to use as a slider? - I was thinking of this pretty much all afternoon, i started working on the copy of the adjustable posted here. I may need better wiper blades, the metal I used is a bit soft, i'lll try hardening it up tommorrow. Just curious, don't mean to pry, would love to see your version.

Buzzy - any chance of getting a close up of just the prongs - the business end. Again thanks for the other pics, they are great as is the tool.

[Buzzzy]

I couldn't come up with pics of the prongs I was happy with. I am still learning this digital camera, it doesn't like to auto focus in extreme macro on small shiney objects, there is no manual focus, at times like this I miss my SLR.

I will try to describe this a little better.

The upper blade.
This is a 90 degree bend, almost vertical to the keyway, when I say almost I find a slight diagonal twist makes the thinner blade fit the wider keyway tighter.
The lenghth of the blade is determined by the depth of the first pin, it should be as deep as possible without touching that pin.
The width should be as wide as possible, without getting in the way.

The lower blade.
This is a 90 degree bend, with a 90 degree twist, and is horizontal to the keyway.
The length. is dictated by the length of the plug, I tend to like them a little longer, as I find this gives a more even rotation.
The width sould be as wide as possible, for a snug fit without binding against the shell.

The adjuster.
This adjusts the width of the tool, and makes it more universal, I have found the SC1 tool fits other locks well, when adjusted for width.
The adjuster should be as close as is reasonable to the keyway, for a more rigid feel.

These days as a hobby picker I pick mostly in hand, and I like the 3:00 design, if you would like a 9:00 wrench, make a mirror image.
When mounted on a door a 6:00, or 12:00, or a shorter tool, might make more sense, this would involve a slight redesign, but I think you get the idea.

Hope this helps

Buddy

[undeadspacehippie]

Buzzzy, no worries. Thanks for the info on the tool though. I still like the design. I will be working on one tommorrow.

[TriannaX]

*drool*

[pinsetter]

Sweet!! That tensioner looks excellent!

I will definately be building one of these!!