Build your own Prybar, Crowbar, Machete

[BubbaEinstein]

**These are NOT for sale or trade - just make your own..it's easy!!**


After making a bunch of tow shackles for a fellow member, I had tons of cotter pins and "remnants" left over and was looking for something to do with them. Well, here is what I came up with:
With cotter pins, you can cut them as shown:

Then grind them as shown (depending on whether or not you want a prybar or crowbar)

Then paint them and add some heat shrink tubing for a handle

Stone Cold seal of approval

For cotter pin remnants (the ends left over after making a tow shackle), just grind them down, add some paint and a heat shrink tubing handle and you've got a machete

Comes in handy out on the trail

 

[cogfounder]

You are going to have to build a tool box soon....

 

[wraithfreak]

"thumbsup"Nice...Very creative. Made some tow shackles as you did out of cotter pins. Everything went well until I tried drilling the holes, broken bits. crooked holes, off center holes. Any secrets to drilling the holes? I do not have a drill press only a power hand drill. Thanks

 

[taco08jk]

"thumbsup"Nice...Very creative. Made some tow shackles as you did out of cotter pins. Everything went well until I tried drilling the holes, broken bits. crooked holes, off center holes. Any secrets to drilling the holes? I do not have a drill press only a power hand drill. Thanks

Yeah there is a trick to it, on the end of the loop where you are drilling the holes you need to grind the crown flat so the bit doesn't walk. Dont grind the meat off of it, just hit it enough to make it flat so the bit doesn't walk. Hope that helps.

 

[taco08jk]

Btw OP, I really like the machete idea. Simple and looks good, kinda makes me wonder why I didn't think of it.

 

[mitchr97]

That looks awesome man "thumbsup" love the ideas.

 

[BubbaEinstein]

"thumbsup"Nice...Very creative. Made some tow shackles as you did out of cotter pins. Everything went well until I tried drilling the holes, broken bits. crooked holes, off center holes. Any secrets to drilling the holes? I do not have a drill press only a power hand drill. Thanks

I use a pointed dremel bit to get the hole started then switch over to a hand drill. I bought a 10 pack of bits at harbor freight because they don't last long! Also, use grease on your bits...

 

[2manyprojects]

Good idea!

 

[SwampDawg]

great idea!
using a cotterpin as the handle....how would a guy go about making the blade of a shovel for this one?

 

[Big Tex]

wow, great idea how about a longer cotter pin and grind the handle narrower for a more 1:1 look?

 

[cogfounder]

wow, great idea how about a longer cotter pin and grind the handle narrower for a more 1:1 look?

Aw jeeze, talk about missing the point........

 

[THX_138]

....., I had tons of cotter pins and "remnants" left over and was looking for something to do with them.......

Aw jeeze, talk about missing the point........

Yep...

 

[mitchr97]

Aw jeeze, talk about missing the point........

:lmao:

 

[BubbaEinstein]

great idea!
using a cotterpin as the handle....how would a guy go about making the blade of a shovel for this one?

Do this http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/scale-accessories/397371-build-your-own-pull-pal.html with a straightened cotter pin...I may try it this weekend

 

[MiniMorris]

Very creative

 

[mjderstine]

made a crowbar!

thanks for this idea man

 

[KJ10]

"thumbsup"Nice...Very creative. Made some tow shackles as you did out of cotter pins. Everything went well until I tried drilling the holes, broken bits. crooked holes, off center holes. Any secrets to drilling the holes? I do not have a drill press only a power hand drill. Thanks

Center drill! Just like I use every day at my machinist job....

5 Piece Center Drill Countersink Set with 60° Angled Tip

Just don't over-drill it. Just start the tip to keep your drill bit centered.

 

[BubbaEinstein]

made a crowbar!

thanks for this idea man

Dam that looks cool! Good Job!!

Did you grind it to get the ridges along it's length or were those already there?

 

[mjderstine]

no grinding man. its an allen wrench. heat up the ends and hammer them flat, grind the cats paw with a dremmel cutting wheel, sand it lightly by hand to make it look used.

 

[BadWagon]

f'n great idea guys. I'm gonna bust out some of these for sure.

I think I will need a tool box soon.