Make your bottom of the line clamptite tool (Link here) as functional as the one that costs more than twice (Link here) as much for practically free! Of course I won't argue with anyone that has the money to pay for that much nicer premium model tool. I just don't think it is forty dollars nicer is all!
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| BEFORE |
Materials: Some scrap handrail dowel rod ( About 1-1/2" diameter piece about three inches long).
Tools required:
- Backsaw, 5/16" drill bit to make the central hole.
- Xacto knife.
- Standard Clamptite Tool CLT05.
- Optional ... Drill press (makes drilling more accurate than hand drill).
Steps:
- Drill 5/16" hole in center of your dowel deep enough to accommodate the fully tightened exposed length of the clamptite tools central screw.
- Cut a 3/16" slot across the open end that you drilled into to accomodate the wing nut's "wings". This will need to be about 1/2" deep measured from the end of the dowel.
- Use your Exacto knife to clearance the opening of the hole at the end so that the tapped part of the wing nut can go more fully into your new handle.
- Now for strength you can use your clamptite tool to reinforce the business end of the handle to resist splitting when you are really tightening something very tight as I needed to recently. I resorted to using pliers on the wing nut which of course was quite awkward and burred up both the nut and the threads of my clamptite tool. This is how I got the idea for making this project.
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| Finished Handle? |
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| After |
Extra Credit?
I may drill across the grain on the opposite end for an appropriately sized t-handle dowel rod on the other end and put another clamptite clamp on that end to resist splitting. If I wind up doing that I will probably cover the whole handle with gorilla tape or something so those wire tips won't be able to bite me when I use the handle. I will put photos on here if I wind up doing any of that.
