Crowsfoot Wrench

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

Hydraulic manifold

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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You can reach as deep as you have extensions.

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