Author Topic: A few projects I've been working on  (Read 2855 times)

Offline bonneyman

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A few projects I've been working on
« on: September 17, 2021, 06:59:27 PM »
A buddy over at the GJ had ordered a Bonney 3/8" ratchet off of ebay. When it arrived it was just the gear head with a short stub! The Post Office said the sender didn't pack it well, and the tool punched through the box while in a distribution machine and  snapped the handle off! (Ffat chance). Anyway, the guy claimed insurance and refunded my friends money and didn't want the piece back. My friend didn't know what to do with it, so mention on the forum that if anybody wanted it it could be theirs for shipping. I said I'd take it. if nothing else the gear assembly could be a spare for the other 4 Bonney 3/8" rats I have. Once it arrived I was looking at it and decided maybe I could make a subby rat out of it. Found an aluminum aircraft fitting, press fit it on with epoxy, and covered the end with heat shrink tubing. looks and feels great!
The internals are whisper clean and only needed light oiling.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2021, 07:03:10 PM »
I also had this Utica 3/8" torque wrench I wasn't using. I tend to pick up all sorts of plastic, forgings, casting, parts, etc. at pawn shops, and keep them in a metal can as someday I might use them.
Grabbed this Grohe plastic knob (had it at least 10 years now), come to find out it's a handle for a commercial kitchen fixture. (Just noticed the little wavy lines patterns under the name which gave me a hint to search for). I took the small Bonney TW head out of the wrench and modified it to fit into he hollows of the knob "fingers". Some two part epoxy and a coat of Flex Seal later - I have a 3/8" finger ratchet! It's small enough to get into tight places, but still comfortable for the hand. I could have made this thing smaller, but - with the onset of arthritis in my one hand - I've discovered a thing known as "too small".
Also the 3/8" Bonney/Utica torque wrench gear assembly will interchange with the Bonney 1/4" ratchet. So I could make another 3/8" anvil in a 1/4" body, or install the 1/4" gear into this finger ratchet to allow use of all my 1/4" accessories. The possibilities are almost endless!
« Last Edit: September 17, 2021, 07:10:29 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2021, 07:07:07 PM »
Here's some more pics. As Bonney didn't make either of these two styles of ratchets I basically almost doubled the number of kinds of Bonney ratchets I have in 3/8" drive.

Offline hickory n Steel

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2021, 07:10:44 PM »
Great modifications there.
Always lookin' to learn

Offline bonneyman

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2021, 07:14:39 PM »
Thanks, hickory! I really enjoy doing these kinds of mods, but the summer heat has prevented my from doing any extended work in my shop. Temps are finally beginning to fall, so shop time is safer.

Offline DeadNutz

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2021, 07:36:45 PM »
Pretty slick mods there George. If somebody ever gets stranded on a deserted island they better hope George is along. :great:

Offline skfarmer

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2021, 08:31:10 PM »
those turned out well.
from the ashes shall rise a phoenix

i was here when the hangout turned into mexican food site!

Offline bonneyman

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2021, 09:07:51 PM »
Thanks, gents!

And my nickname when I was at Ace Hardware was "MacGyver".  :great:

Offline Heiny57

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2021, 07:40:57 AM »
Well that’s cool!
MAGA

If you can’t fix it with a hammer, it must be electrical.

Offline slip knot

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2021, 09:51:02 AM »
Those turned out pretty nice. should come in handy.

the tool guy that shows up at your estate sale gonna be scratching his head on those two.  :lol_hitting:

Offline hickory n Steel

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #10 on: September 19, 2021, 04:16:41 PM »
Thanks, hickory! I really enjoy doing these kinds of mods, but the summer heat has prevented my from doing any extended work in my shop. Temps are finally beginning to fall, so shop time is safer.
Been really hot here too, but if I'm really really bored and got the itch I'll turn on a couple fans and tough it out to knock out some kind of small project.
I'm young enough to do so I guess, when I get older I'm sure I won't be able to stand the heat as well.
I can't stand it that well now, but I'm not really smart enough to know better.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2021, 04:18:22 PM by hickory n Steel »
Always lookin' to learn

Offline bonneyman

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #11 on: September 19, 2021, 08:16:23 PM »
Those turned out pretty nice. should come in handy.

the tool guy that shows up at your estate sale gonna be scratching his head on those two.  :lol_hitting:

Oh, I don't think so.

I count on all you guys showing up to my funeral sale. :D

Offline fatfillup

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #12 on: September 20, 2021, 08:14:31 AM »
Funeral sale,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,mine would take least a week :))

Offline bonneyman

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2021, 03:12:47 PM »
Here's my current collection of Bonney 3/8" drive ratchets. Top to bottom:

Stubby rat mod
Finger rat mod
3/8" anvil in 1/4" body
(3) standard 3/8" rats - beater, decent, and NOS
(2) flex 3/8" - new style and old style

Offline muddy

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Re: A few projects I've been working on
« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2021, 09:58:29 PM »
Nice job!

Sent from the twisted mind of the mudman