Spinner Wrench - A New Color 'Twist' In Design

[pkmh]

Sorry about the punn, folks,

But I thought I'd share with you a solution I came up with to my existing spinner wrench.

Because of its excessive use and abuse, areas of my wrench have developed grime, nicks and splinters.

So, after cleaning it up and easing the edges as much as possible, I have decided to spray enamel the wrench based on the same color theme as my Healey (or close as possible) and of my own design.

I am still experimenting with patterns and other colors (ie: applying a third color, 'black' to compliment my black interior).

And for whatever it's worth, I purposely chose the darker (red) color on those areas subjected to the most contact or abuse while leaving the remaining field white (in my case).

I've already used this finished wrench once and developed nicks or chips on it, as I suspected. But doing touch up work after by applying the spray enamel directly onto a Q-tip or brush has proven an easy fix. And cleaning enamel has also proven much easier than say, trying to remove the grime from the natural wood.

I would of preferred to have kept the original wood finish.

Whatever pattern or colors I end up with, I'd like to think of this as a nice compromise.

Criticism appreciated.

Paul

Paul

 

[John Turney]

I use a "rubber" coated dead blow mallet. It works just fine unless it's cold (then the mallet coating can fracture). So far, no marks on the knock-offs.

 

[AUSMHLY]

Hi Paul,

Looks beautiful!

I've found that the wood will start to splinter where it meets the metal ears of the knock-on. To rememedy that, I placed leather in those areas. I also use a dead blow hammer which doesn't damage the wood as a lead hammer does.

Cheers,
Roger

 

[Randy Forbes]

Two (2) hammer method here: rawhide hammer held against the spinner and whack the opposite side (also rawhide) with a heavy lead or copper hammer.

I get the wheels as tight as I want them, and the spinners still look like new.

 

[Legal Bill]

I bought the wood wrench and immediately made a copy which is the one I now use. When it wears out, I'll make another copy from the original.

 

[drambuie]

Be sure to jack up the car to take the weight off the tire first, Then tighten the knock off enough to seat the hub all the way, lower the jack and beat the @#$%!#$^&* out of it with a big plastic dead blow hammer, Then follow up with a thin piece of wood and a lead malet. I would rather know the spinner is on tight driving at 80 mph then to worry about chrome smugges! About 4 weeks ago a big dodge ram passed my healey on the left at 80 mph, All of a sudden his left wheel fell off and shot out in oncoming traffic at about 120 mph like a bouncing rocket. You should have seen the sparks fly off his brake disk and front bumper!!!!! I passed his front wheel and tire about 1/4 mile down the road! Wow... Michael.

 

[pkmh]

Hey Legal Bill,

Good to know you can make a repro. Does one need special equipment or tools?

I figure if I were to make one from scratch, then I would used an electric drill with one of those core bits and just work with it for the center.

Also, do you use a solid piece of wood or as manufactured/sold (layers of laminated wood sheets glued and pressed together??).

 

[tahoe healey]

I've been using a hard resin one for 5 years now and it does not mar the chrome in any way. Its two inches wide and has wings to prevent miss striking with the hammer. The Moss one lasted two years and split. This one looks like new. It is now made in black but mine was an early one in yellow. At least I can find it.

 

[AUSMHLY]

I've been using a hard resin one for 5 years now and it does not mar the chrome in any way. Its two inches wide and has wings to prevent miss striking with the hammer. The Moss one lasted two years and split. This one looks like new. It is now made in black but mine was an early one in yellow. At least I can find it.

TH,

I've seen the one you bought years ago at one of the car shows.
Got a link to where others could buy the new version you have?
It's a better design, being it does not splinter like the wood version.

Cheers,
Roger

 

[Legal Bill]

Hey Legal Bill,

Good to know you can make a repro. Does one need special equipment or tools?

I figure if I were to make one from scratch, then I would used an electric drill with one of those core bits and just work with it for the center.

Also, do you use a solid piece of wood or as manufactured/sold (layers of laminated wood sheets glued and pressed together??).

The hard part is finding stock that is thick enough. I could not, so I bought a 2 foot by 2 foot sheet of 3/4 plywood. I then traced two patterns on the sheet using the new wrench as a template. I used a jig saw to cut the outsides of the two patterns, then I used a drill to start a hole for the insides and again used the jig saw. After both patterns were cut out, test fit them onto a spinner to make sure they would fit. Then I then joined them face to face with wood glue, squeezed them together at the bottom in the wood vice, added some clamps on the top and ends and then screwed in four or five 1 and 1/4 inch screws from both sides. After it sat for a couple of days, I took off the clamps, removed it from the vice and tested it out. Works great. It rides in the trunk and the original stays at home.