Hold down clamp from a rocker arm

[Frank S]

I have mentioned these several times in the past but never published one, so today when I found one while rummaging around looking for something else I decided it was time to make one again.
I started with a rocker arm from a SB gm engine, with a bur file on a die grinder I enlarged the hole to accept a 1/2" T bolt then drilled out the threads from a lug-nut to become the swivel washer

[metric_taper]

That looks like the same rocker arm in my 1962 Pontiac 389 V8.

[Frank S]

That looks like the same rocker arm in my 1962 Pontiac 389 V8.

the rocker arm clamp works really well I will have to try and find the rest of the ones I know I have squirreled away somewhere and make up a set of them

[Toolmaker51]

the rocker arm clamp works really well I will have to try and find the rest of the ones I know I have squirreled away somewhere and make up a set of them

I'll be careful what I drive then, for a return visit.........

[wizard69]

the rocker arm clamp works really well I will have to try and find the rest of the ones I know I have squirreled away somewhere and make up a set of them

Anything that works and is safe is good by me. I'm trying to put together a small home shop and honestly it is expensive even if you try to DIY a bunch of needed tools.

[Frank S]

Anything that works and is safe is good by me. I'm trying to put together a small home shop and honestly it is expensive even if you try to DIY a bunch of needed tools.

Trust me I hate to be the barer of bad news but the more you get into putting together your home shop the more you are going to find things to spend money on. Search for the best deals you can and buy quality tools or tooling even if you have to stretch out buying them over a period of time, it will be cheaper in the long run, when you absolutely cannot or do not have the means or materials make them yourself.
My theory is buy quality use it forever, buy cheap for emergencies then either try to make it better or plan on replacing it as you can.

[madokie]

That looks like the same rocker arm in my 1962 Pontiac 389 V8.

I will see your 389 and raise you a 400 out of my 1977 Catalina Police Enforcer....now to those folks not aware,it was PONTIAC that came up with the stamped rocker arm back in 1948,chevy heard about it and demanded to use it in the new chevy v8 in 1955...usually when a division came up with something new they got a one year exclusive use of it before the other divisions could use it..not this time both chevy and Pontiac used the new stamped rocker arm in their new OHV V8 engines introduced in 1955...Pontiac was responsible for a lot of things back then,,including the mighty 426 HEMI !!!Pontiac was dominating NASCAR 1960-1963 and the Mopar guys could not keep up, so they were asked what would it take to beat Pontiac ?? the answer was always the same "Bring back the Hemi"!!!!! and thus was born the 426 Hemi....out of the ashes of the 392 Hemi...a talented mechanical engineer by the name of John Delorean worked at Pontiac,,, when he left almost 150 patents with John Deloreans name were on those patents...including a temperature controlled fan clutch that goes between the water pump and radiator..no telling how many millions of those fan clutches have been made...if you want to read a great book about the muscle car era , its "Glory Days" by Jim Wangers,who was there when the GTO was born and is considered the Godfather of the muscle car era..

[Rikk]

Brilliant idea Frank!

I always replace these halfway through the race season and I generally toss them in the scrap recycling pile. I am pretty sure I have a set of them laying around in a coffee can somewhere complete with the pivot balls. A little machining and I'll have a nice set of "rocker clamps". Thanks for the idea!

[Toolmaker51]

Frank S's theory and practice is exactly correct. There is no savings in bad tools, nor excess tools; unless distributed across different worksites.
There are limitations for every tool, of course. Frank S's rockers for example are fine in many instances, but not always. The limit is in the design of maybe 1:1.5 to 1:1.6 ratio of clamping, the fastener is right in the middle. Strap clamps work best with the mechanical advantage taken at the 'toe', object being clamped.

One benefit of the web, a little search will turn up good old brands, in usable or better condition, taking some of the pain out of expenditure.
But work to a list, arranged by what priority suits you.
It can double as an inventory, when time comes.

[Jon]

Congratulations Frank S - your Hold Down Clamp is the Homemade Tool of the Week!

Another big week around here, but this one wins on ingenuity. We have seen tools made from rocker arms before, but usually as a spring compressor (here and here). This is clever, complete with "why didn't I think of that", and the use of the lug nut furthers the automotive theme.

Some more good builds from this week:

Wire Twisting Tool by orioncons36
Sheetmetal Forming Tool by diy creative crafts
Welding Third Hands by Andrii Pysarenko
Belt Grinder Contact Wheel Attachment by anthonyget
Spider Mandrel by neilg4dbn
Wrench Size Reduction for Jam Nuts by Frank S
Forge by ArmaBianca Creations
Coolant Tray Filter by thehomeengineer
Lathe Cut Off Tool by winkys workshop
Hole Cutting Tool by mr_modify1
Framing Square Stand by orioncons36
Sandblasting Cabinet by fox craft
Awls by Make Things
Temporary Chuck Key by Frank S
Space Saving Steps by Frank S
Wire Twister by Andrii Pysarenko
Pizza Cutter by Philip Davies
Electric Bicycle by fawabros
Lathe Stand by e_m_maker
Chuck Mount Modification by Frank S


Frank S - you'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and gift card choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

This is your 9th Homemade Tool of the Week. Here are all of your Homemade Tool of the Week winning tools. Congrats again

Bolt On Receiver Hitch by Frank S

tags: portable, towing, adjustable

D10 Bulldozer Blade Conversion by Frank S

tags: blade, modification

Trailer with Cranes by Frank S

tags: trailer, crane

Wood Stove Heat Recovery Unit by Frank S

tags: heater

Panel Bandsaw by Frank S

tags: bandsaw, hydraulic

Rolling Scaffold by Frank S

tags: portable, adjustable, platform

Gin Pole and Hoist by Frank S

tags: hoist, lifting

Keyway Cutting Tool by Frank S

tags: keyway, cutting tool

Hold Down Clamp by Frank S

tags: clamp, hold down