Have you made or modified a bicycle tool?

I find myself modifying or making my own tools all the time.
Here's a simple modification. I cut these tools down for a 4 month touring trip in South America.

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Permalink Reply by RodimusPrime on April 1, 2009 at 2:32am
u could probably put a used tire or eletrcial tape around those to make handles.
Permalink Reply by UV Metal Arts - Powder Coating on April 1, 2009 at 2:56am
You could, but I was tying to keep the wight down. Glad I did too, because my fully loaded solo assent over the Andes was on a very loose and rocky, sometimes switchback dirt road.
Permalink Reply by Lee Diamond on April 1, 2009 at 2:59am
I have done a number of tool mods over the years for carpentry and now bike-builds. Probably 15% or more of my tools, particularly carpentry tools, are either modified or made out of other stuff. May I suggest using plasti-dip for instant handle-grips. Two coatings will turn anything (!!!!) into a handle.
Permalink Reply by Homebuilt on April 1, 2009 at 3:18am
No picture of it, but to reassemble the spring on a derailleur, I took a piece of metal conduit, made a couple of notches in it, so I could twist the spring into position, then install the retainer clip from the other side.
Permalink Reply by Martin Hazard on April 1, 2009 at 3:23am
Back in the 80's when we had threaded headsets, I cut a Park headset wrench up so I had a 32mm with a 4" handle to put in my tool kit. I have often found that nobody makes exactly what you need, so you have to make it yourself. Right now I am contemplating modifying the 15mm I carry for my fixie so it fits in my kit better. After all these years I still have mixed emotions about hacking up a Park tool.
Permalink Reply by Lee Diamond on April 1, 2009 at 7:02am
i travel fixed too Martin and I use a small Craftsman adjustable wrench, which has the added benefit of being useful on a variety of nuts, bolts and flats. Alternatively, look at Crank Bros. multi tools which have a socket fitting on them, and then just carry a 15 mm socket (and 14mm for crank bolts if you have hex-head bolts on your cranks). Since they unfold, they offer greater leverage than many cut-off options will, and too often it isn't just getting purchase, it's that tiny lever that screws ya!
Permalink Reply by Chucko on April 1, 2009 at 7:30am
I've have a cut down 15mm wrench that I chopped the open end off of- just kept the box end for removing my fixed wheels when I'm out riding. I cut it down just short enough to fit in my seat bag. Damn hardened steel is a pain to cut though. Other than that, nothing much.
Permalink Reply by UV Metal Arts - Powder Coating on April 1, 2009 at 4:05pm
Great tip on the dip.
Here's a bike stand base I made for my bench vice a few months ago out of some scrap steel.

Lee Diamond said:
I have done a number of tool mods over the years for carpentry and now bike-builds. Probably 15% or more of my tools, particularly carpentry tools, are either modified or made out of other stuff. May I suggest using plasti-dip for instant handle-grips. Two coatings will turn anything (!!!!) into a handle.
Permalink Reply by UV Metal Arts - Powder Coating on April 1, 2009 at 5:00pm
Sweet, can you add some photos when you get a chance. I would love to see the headset race setting tool especially. I'll post a photo of one I have tomorrow that was made by Andy Gregg 15 years ago. I use it at least once a week now.
Permalink Reply by Primitive Don on April 2, 2009 at 8:22am
Hey Yuvie,

I made the headset tools Dave Moulton mentioned in his blog. I made the headset cup remover using a length of copper water pipe. I practiced removing the headset cups on a few trashed frames, and although it worked great for the first 3, on the fourth the copper pipe curled under, and that was that. Probably best to fork over the $29 for the proper Park tool.

I also made the tool to press in the headset cups from threaded rod, nuts and washers. Will try that on the new headset going into the frame you PCed for me. (sent you an email btw)
Permalink Reply by UV Metal Arts - Powder Coating on April 2, 2009 at 12:30pm
Cool, I forgot the camera to share the image of the homemade headset crown race setter. Oh well. Here's something I did for convenience and to de-clutter my tool box.

Primitive Don said:
Hey Yuvie,

I made the headset tools Dave Moulton mentioned in his blog. I made the headset cup remover using a length of copper water pipe. I practiced removing the headset cups on a few trashed frames, and although it worked great for the first 3, on the fourth the copper pipe curled under, and that was that. Probably best to fork over the $29 for the proper Park tool.

I also made the tool to press in the headset cups from threaded rod, nuts and washers. Will try that on the new headset going into the frame you PCed for me. (sent you an email btw)
Permalink Reply by Mike Bullis 5.5-6.5 miles on April 3, 2009 at 1:55am
I've made a headset press out of all-thread, nuts, and washers, too, but I also use a pair 3/8"x1/4" pipe reducers to center the head cups. Works great on 1", not so hot on 1 1/8". I use an old toe strap for adjusting Mafac Racer brake cuz my Third Hand tools don't fit 'em. I have a large chunk of aluminum pipe with a recess cut in it to support a Sturmey Archer hub when driving out the left hand cup and machined piece of aluminum with a large theaded rod thru it and a wing nut for rebuilding freewheels.

So far, I haven't had to cut down a 15mm wrench to toss in my seat bag. I managed to score a couple TA 'peanut butter' wrenches years ago and keep those handy.

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