Serrated tension wrench question

[Rynox]

I read Kaotik's guide to tension wrenches (http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=17220) a few days ago and I've been thinking about trying to make a serrated wrench.

I came up with the idea to use junior hacksaw blades because the serrations would already be present. So my question is, are there any problems with doing this? Thanks in advance.

[Oaklandishh]

It sounds like a good idea and would probably work, but when you make your own serrations, although its more work, you can pick the thickness of the metal and make sure it has the perfect amount of flex.

[jondoe]

It sounds like a good idea and would probably work, but when you make your own serrations, although its more work, you can pick the thickness of the metal and make sure it has the perfect amount of flex.

I agree. Also with the hacksaw blade an issue you may run into is the waviness of the teeth side. However, you should give the hacksaw blade a chance and if it doesn't work then make the serrations by hand.

[nostromo]

You might want to try bending the metal before you get too far into the project. Hacksaw blades don't bend well beyond a certain point. >>> Suh-NAP<<<

Not that I have personal experience with that happening on me or anything . . .

Have you thought of filing notches into the edges of a wiper blade insert tension wrench? Less work in the long run.

[raimundo]

a member here told me his secret to makeing serrations that work well as grip, and doing it in a really fast efficient way,

he uses a dykes, a big wire cutter and carefully places the bite on the edges of the metal, without cutting through the metal,

the bite displaces metal from a small v groove and the displaced metal spalls out every edge of that v groove, leaving a hardend grip of this metal to dig into cylinder walls,

(metal that has been pushed around a lot work hardens.)

leaving this spall on the tool is best for the grip. removing it would be counterproductive.

[Legion303]

raimundo: that's exactly how I do mine, though I don't think I have any pictures.

-steve

[Rynox]

Thanks for the quick replies everyone!

You might want to try bending the metal before you get too far into the project. Hacksaw blades don't bend well beyond a certain point. >>> Suh-NAP<<<

Bending the blades to 90 degrees does make the metal weak. Using a blow torch, I was able to get the bend easily though.

[Oaklandishh]

So whats the word? Is it everything you dreamed it would be?

[Rynox]

So whats the word? Is it everything you dreamed it would be?

Quite a noticeable difference. My old wrenches would sometimes slip causing the pins to reset. With the serrations, it rarely happens!