Mickle's tip of the day - Making tools

[mickle]

Some of the most useful cycle specific tools of all can be made at home. Indeed my favourite one cannot be purchased, so if you want one you're gonna have to make it.

The Jibber.

The Jibber begins life as a spoke - stainless ideally, though any sort will do. A Jibber made from a used spoke is every bit as useful as a new one.

Bend the head end around and over itself as in the picture so that the elbow engages to form a rudimentary handle. Add a little kink to bring the handle in line with the business end. Now file the threaded end into a point.

Behold. The Jibber.

Use it to open up and pre-form the nylon sleeve within the ends of freshly cut cable housing.




Credit for naming the Jibber must go to Giles 'Giler' Meaden off of Bracknell Cycles.

 

[PoweredByVeg]

So much better making tools than buying them, but I am a tightwad

So far I've made a bottom bracket facing tool, chain whip, tool for fitting crown races, tool for fitting star fangled nuts, wheel truing stand, rudimentary workshop stand...................mmmmmmmmmmm what next

 

[gbb]

So much better making tools than buying them, but I am a tightwad

So far I've made a bottom bracket facing tool, chain whip, tool for fitting crown races, tool for fitting star fangled nuts, wheel truing stand, rudimentary workshop stand...................mmmmmmmmmmm what next

Me too.
Cone spanners made from 'proper' spanners that'll never break or wear out. Angle grinder with a sanding/flap disc and gradually thin the spanner head down. Gradually so you don't generate too much heat and soften the metal.

Chain whip, two pieces of old chain, one length of steel bar about 5mm thick, drilled in the appropriate places then bolt the old chain to the bar.

I have made a workstand...but made it to fit in a workmate but then it became a bit bulky. The stand itself was ok, should have made it with legs. No loss...its all interesting.

Cartridge bearing pullers/extractors easily nade with studding, nuts and washers.

Spoke wrench..i needed one at work for someones bike, hadnt got mine with me. 16mm hex nut, grinder and a 1mm slitting disc. Cut a small groove in the nut then gently open it up till it's a snug fit on the nipple. Worked a treat, still got it.

 

[guitarpete247]

I too made a simple workstand

Though I've since bought the Lidl stand

 

[Night Train]

Making tools is a great way to get the tool you need that works properly.

I was always encouraging my students to make tools but not many had the inclination.

 

[Fnaar]

Having cracked a nut with a rock and dug ants out of a rotting trunk with a stick, I thought I'd invented a couple of new tools, till I watched that pesky Attenborough on the telly.

 

[bobg]

Anther handy use for a spoke. If you have an old bike with rubber /plastic handgrips that wont come off. You could pour water over them but ... get a old spoke, push it down between the handlebar and the grip, spray some lube between the spoke and the grip ( leave the spoke in place) and twist! Job done. The twisting the grip with the spoke in place causes the spoke to break the seal all round the bar end as it twists and does no damage to the grip. Causes less damage then using an old screwdriver too.

 

[Fiona N]

Use it to open up and pre-form the nylon sleeve within the ends of freshly cut cable housing.


Credit for naming the Jibber must go to Giles 'Giler' Meaden off of Bracknell Cycles.

I have a tool for the same job - it's known as a broddler and comes from rug / taprestry making

It's just a wooden handle with a pointy bit for making holes in canvas to stitch. Also used in saddlery for the same reason. But very convenient for cable housings.

 

[zigzag]

small allen key can do the same (that's what i use)

 

[mickle]

small allen key can do the same (that's what i use)

With all due respect, an Allen key cannot do the job of a Jibber. I used a small Allen key before I discovered the Jibber and I'd never go back.