A spreader for fitting shoes to motorcycle drum brakes

[tonyfoale]

Yesterday, I planned to make a spreader for drum brake shoes. I considered a few ideas and decided that it would be easy to make some special jaws for a vice, but when I removed the standard jaws I saw a much easier way. I just moved the jaws along. So I did not need to make anything, just a 30 second job whenever I need to fit or remove shoes.

Jon, I do not know if this is best in tips & tricks or the tools. I leave it to you to move if necessary.

[olderdan]

Great idea Tony, saves those blood blisters for anther job doing it by hand.

[tonyfoale]

Great idea Tony, saves those blood blisters for anther job doing it by hand.

Alan, Ha, I like your take on this.

[Jon]

Congratulations tonyfoale - your extended vise jaw spreading technique is the Tool Tip of the Month for February 2024!

Simple, clever, and a classic "why didn't I think of that" Egg of Columbus technique.

Some more nice tool tips from February:

Box Clamping Aid by Make Things
$30 CNC Mist Cooling System by GBWM
Table Saw 3D Face Method by Make Things
Rotary Table Radius Cutting Method by Mook
Drill Press Accuracy Method by Make Things
Lathe Bolt Holding Method by Retro Steam Tech
RO Sander Corner Jig by Make Things
Ring Knot by Mr.DK DIY
Thin Stock Ripping Method by Make Things
Metal Storage Rack by mr_modify1
Lumber Straightening Technique by Make Things

tonyfoale - we've added your Tool Tip to our All Tool Tips of the Month winners post. And, you'll now notice the tool tip award in the awards showcase in your postbit, visible beneath your username:



And, you'll be receiving a $100 cash prize, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and prize choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

Congrats again

[tonyfoale]

Jon,

When I got your message about this I could not remember what I had posted and had to visit the forum to be reminded.
Anyway, many thanks. Here is a photo of the bike to which the brake shoes are fitted.