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Thread: Crowsfoot Wrench

  1. #1
    Supporting Member hemmjo's Avatar
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    hemmjo's Tools

    Crowsfoot Wrench

    Needed a 7/8 and 1 1/4 crows foot wrench to get into a tight space.

    Hydraulic manifold

    Crowsfoot Wrench-01-manifold.jpg

    Failing to locate them locally, with broken equipment to get back into service, I headed to the shop.

    After accurately laying out the proper size opening, traced the outline of a wrench on an appropriate steel plate. 3/8’ for the small one, 1/2” for the large.

    Crowsfoot Wrench-02-clamp.jpg

    Crowsfoot Wrench-03-layout.jpg


    I often use a paper pattern for repeated layouts. Tape the 1/2 square drive pattern to the plate . Center punch through the paper .

    Crowsfoot Wrench-04-layout-square.jpg


    Drill the corner holes through and start the center hole with a small bit, about 0.070”(5/64 is close enough). Then enlarge the center hole to 3/16 then 3/8 then 1/2”.
    (Note to self: make one of those optical center punches as seen on Homemade Tools)

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    It is then pretty easy to file the excess material from the corners. The edges of the drilled holes serve as file guides for size.

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    “Sneak up” on the finished size for a snug fit. It is better to have to tap to remove from your extension than to have it fall off into someplace difficult to retrieve.

    Name:  07 snug fit.jpg
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    Finally, bandsaw, grind and file the finished shape. The offset hole allows you to turn the tool over for different offset if necessary. I made the large one first. Learn from experience.

    Crowsfoot Wrench-08-finished.jpg


    You can reach as deep as you have extensions.

    Crowsfoot Wrench-09-inch-one-quarter.jpg

    Crowsfoot Wrench-10small-one.jpg

  2. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to hemmjo For This Useful Post:

    clydeman (Apr 19, 2025), Jon (May 1, 2025), nova_robotics (Apr 19, 2025), Philip Davies (May 4, 2025), sdunt (Apr 20, 2025)

  3. #2
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    Thanks hemmjo! We've added your Crowfoot Wrenches to our Fastening category,
    as well as to your builder page: hemmjo's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:


    Last edited by Jon; Apr 19, 2025 at 05:47 PM.
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