Channeling Doug...made a tool.

[2WheelNut]

So..I was putting fork seals in @GlFlyers GSXR and needed to compress the spring and spacer far enough to expose the damper rod threads and jamb nut to install the cap but the rod kept falling down in the tube and the springs were too stiff to compress.

I know I can buy a rod tool but I thought I'd make one and also use / modify a shock spring compressor tool.

Anyway...had everything but a 10mm 1.0 pitch threaded nut so it was pretty easy to make.

 

[OldTLSDoug]

I like it homemade fork tools are my favorites. I have done one or two. I had to hold the cartridge to get the compression and rebound valving out and made this.

 

[2WheelNut]

Your tool took more skill to make.

Mine can barely be called "making" a tool as all I really did was weld 2 nuts together and attach some all thread.

Then again...I did use a welder and a grinder...so I decided it qualified.

 

[OldTLSDoug]

Yours is fantastic, I like to see variations on fork spring compressors. Don't sell yourself short, I like it!

 

[Monica]

I like it. You done good.
Totally understand how that happens..."I need a thing to hold the thing like this so I can do this without this".

Is that a fluxcore machine?

 

[mitchntx]

There's a lot of love in this thread ...

 

[2WheelNut]

Thanks all. I feel loved.

Monica, yes, it's a flux core. It can actually run, stick, shielded mig and tig if I bought the appropriate shielding gas and tig torch.

It's my first welder and I'm still learning. My welds are strong, but usually not pretty.

 

[OldTLSDoug]

Ugly welds are ok. I have a bunch of stuff I am still learning at 60. But that dang lathe has been very handy a time or two.

 

[Tom]

Ugly welds are ok. I have a bunch of stuff I am still learning at 60. But that dang lathe has been very handy a time or two.

I have four welders and plasma but use my lathes all the time. Have made many job specific tools.

 

[kickstand~prophet]

Your tool took more skill to make.

Mine can barely be called "making" a tool as all I really did was weld 2 nuts together and attach some all thread.

Then again...I did use a welder and a grinder...so I decided it qualified.

I bow to all those who are talented enough to make their own tools.

 

[Monica]

Thanks all. I feel loved.

Monica, yes, it's a flux core. It can actually run, stick, shielded mig and tig if I bought the appropriate shielding gas and tig torch.

It's my first welder and I'm still learning. My welds are strong, but usually not pretty.

Oh nice. Multivoltage unit? Big one? I've got a little 110v but I've long eyeballed the Hobart MVP 210 that can do all the processes.
Don't worry, practice and it'll be fine. My welds are 'eh'. But they get better when I'm welding a lot. If I need something more important then it goes to a pro lol
I think the most major thing I built was a sheet metal brake out of 1/4" angle iron and strap. Was fun to run the heck out of the welds. Most delicate project was welding hex nuts to the top of the torx head bolts INSIDE the truck cab...don't burn down the truck, don't burn down the truck, don't burn down the truck....

 

[2WheelNut]

Oh nice. Multivoltage unit? Big one? I've got a little 110v but I've long eyeballed the Hobart MVP 210 that can do all the processes.
Don't worry, practice and it'll be fine. My welds are 'eh'. But they get better when I'm welding a lot. If I need something more important then it goes to a pro lol
I think the most major thing I built was a sheet metal brake out of 1/4" angle iron and strap. Was fun to run the heck out of the welds. Most delicate project was welding hex nuts to the top of the torx head bolts INSIDE the truck cab...don't burn down the truck, don't burn down the truck, don't burn down the truck....

It's the Vulcan OmniPro 220 from Harbor Freight. I think it's a bit funny that "pro" is in the name of a Harbor Freight brand but its actually a pretty decent unit for the $$. It can do 120/220 and up to about 1/2 inch so fairly versatile.

I've had it a bit over a year and am on my second 5 pound spool of wire and aside from burning a few tips up a bit faster than I thought normal, it's done pretty much exactly what I've asked it to do.

My coolest project so far was welding support trusses on the front axles of my jeep XJ and my son's JK. Lots of welding there.

My next big project is building a rear bumper for it. It will be my first project where I build something from scratch....good thing my jeep isn't a show jeep.