Plug Spinners - DIY and Product Thoughts..?

[vague]

So realizing I should get a plug spinner and finding no local shop to supply one, I decided I'd off and machine one out... Several hours later I was the proud holder of a very neatly machined plug re-locker. (All the springs I had laying around weren't strong or fast enough it'd seem)

I've been scrolling through the archives trying to find references to comparisons without much direct luck.. It sounds like the A-1 dies fast and personally looks cheap... The Petersons looks nice and has some support... The Dino is also a positive contender but without much clarity on why it's worth more... And no real clear yah/nah on the HPC, Rytan, or the "Pocket Sized" one...?

So basically what I'm asking is for a few posts of what people have used and like... And more importantly what you don't like. And maybe some tips on springs, springrates, and other plug-spinner DIYs.


Cheers.

[vector40]

The two Rytans and the HPC are probably the best buys, frankly. Good quality, replacable springs, easy enough to use, effective enough. Nice solid tools.

[wsbpress]

I decided I'd off and machine one out... Several hours later I was the proud holder of a very neatly machined plug re-locker

Way to go Vague . I'd really like to see a picture if you could post one.

[n2oah]

http://peterson-international.com/tensiontools.htm
First two tools at the top.

[n2oah]

http://peterson-international.com/tensiontools.htm
First two tools at the top.

[vague]

I don't have any pictures of it... It basically looks like:

___ __
| |: | |
| |\/\/\/\-| |------ _______
| | * * |
| |-\/\/\/\| |------ ----------
| | |
---- ----

A really bad ascii sketch.. But there is a spinning shaft which is pressed into the rear cylinder (~1/2" thick by 1 1/2" diameter) which has the torsion spring between it and the front cylinder (which has a nylon insert pressed in as a bearing). The shaft is milled flat with two holes for a length of spring steel to be used as the tip which goes in the lock.

I'm probably going to pick up the petersons spinner for now and keep an eye out for the right spring to use...


Cheers,

[n2oah]

I don't have any pictures of it... It basically looks like:

___ __
| |: | |
| |\/\/\/\-| |------ _______
| | * * |
| |-\/\/\/\| |------ ----------
| | |
---- ----

A really bad ascii sketch.. But there is a spinning shaft which is pressed into the rear cylinder (~1/2" thick by 1 1/2" diameter) which has the torsion spring between it and the front cylinder (which has a nylon insert pressed in as a bearing). The shaft is milled flat with two holes for a length of spring steel to be used as the tip which goes in the lock.

I'm probably going to pick up the petersons spinner for now and keep an eye out for the right spring to use...


Cheers,

When using ascii art, use the code tag and disable similies. The preview post button also works well. Here's what you wanted the spinner to look like:

Code: Select all

___          __
|  |:       |   |
|  |\/\/\/\-|   |------  _______
|                         |  * *   |
|  |-\/\/\/\|   |------  ----------
|  |       :|   |
----          ----


[vague]

n2oah: Ooops... Your good. Thanks!