Homemade Tools

By Mike Godwin

Recently I came across a couple of home made items one that can save you several dollars and for sure some time and aggravation the other could find your survivors cashing in your life insurance policy.

 The first item is a set of guide pins, for installing everything from water pumps to transmissions. A rather complete set of this item is marketed by various manufactures. Two things that all manufactures seem to have in common is that the set is manufactured in China and contains both standard (SAE) and metric threaded guide pins. Now the down side of all of this is the quality of some of the material used in the pins and definitely the quality of the craftsmanship in producing the threaded portion of the guide pins.  The mix of standard and metric threads can spell disaster should a pin threaded for metric be inserted into a standard hole serious damage could result. As an example if the guide pin was being used to install a intake manifold and the metric bolt damaged the threads in the cylinder head it could result in a trip to the machine shop and a new set of head gaskets.

Now the made at home alternative fits perfect and can save you between $19.95 and $32.50 besides this trick provides a solution to the metric verses SAE problem. Many of the bolts we remove from our cars really should be replaced when new parts are installed.  Since these bolts are replaced they can be recycled as pins for years of future use. The procedure is simple and straightforward. First cut the head off the selected bolt as close to the head as possible. Now position the remaining potion of the bolt in a vise and cut a slot, just wide enough to accept a slotted screwdriver, in the center of the bolt body. After cutting the slot round over and taper the end of the bolt with the slot cut in it. This will result in a guide pin that is of the proper size and threads for the application. I have found that these guide pins are a big help when installing water pumps and cylinder heads as they prevent the gaskets from slipping out of position. Mark a see through positive locking style freezer stowage bag with the name of the part the pins are to be used with and add them to your collection of tools. A couple of hints from past bad experiences: First never touch the bolt shaft or try to pick up the cut off head immediately after cutting both are hot enough to burn your fingers. When making guide pins for the transmission you may want to purchase a new shoulder bolt that is slightly longer than the bolt removed from the transmission. This will allow you to bottom out the guide pin in the engine block and provide maximum strength.

At a swap meet I came upon a home made tool that is nothing more than a serious accident waiting to happen. An old gas powered engine had been adapted to a angle iron frame with a single stage high pressure compressor with a home made pressure cylinder mounted at the bottom of the contraption. The idea here was to have a portable source of air to inflate tires and run air power tools. The problem is not that the stowage tank was home made but rather that it had never been tested for safety. Several agencies are charged with insuring that a cylinder designed to contain pressure meets numerous safety related requirements. These cylinders are classified as “Hazardous Vessels” for very good reasons. Building one at home to save a few dollars or to demonstrate your welding expertise is the equivalent of playing Russian Roulette. Without testing and certification of the cylinder it is nothing more than an unexploded hand grenade. If you find that you own one of these uncertified units keep the compressor and power portion of the unit and throw the tank out. Only good use for these items is water troughs for livestock or birdbaths.