Crowsfoot Wrench

[hemmjo]

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

Hydraulic manifold



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.






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




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)




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.



“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.





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.




You can reach as deep as you have extensions.