Tucking tool. cheap, easy,good

[kenc]

Well, it's "cheap" if you don't mind wasting half a day dicking around with it making it! Otherwise, it's cheaper to buy one.


Anyway, a pair of "alignment pins" from McMaster Carr. PN 6059A5 about ten bucks each. 15/16 down to 1/4" and 8" long.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-al...t-pins/=ht4cts

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Both ends have a parallel section. Maybe an inch or so at the fat end and 1/2" to 3/4" at the thin end. You need to continue the taper on the thin end on the bench grinder.

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El cheapo Chinese bandsaw does a good job of curtting the fat parallel end off. These two pins differed in length by 1/4" so this takes care of that.

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Give them a bit of a polish up with sandpaper - probably not necessary but what the heck. I could've gone for a "presentation" finish but got bored at 100grit!

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Carefully hold parallel with a 3/16" gap and weld to some scrap. Add a vertical scrap piece to make it easy to hold in the vice and hey presto!

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This will make tucks up to 6" deep if you're brave enough! Here's a couple of examples - less deep.

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That's it, twenty bucks, some welding, filing and sanding and you have a very strong tucking fork able to make tucks up to 6" deep.

ken

[Stretch]

^^^^^Nice!

[Dawai]

Great, but should it be saved in "free tools plans". it's a keeper. I like a 2x2 on mine to slide them in sockets I have everywhere.



Mine is HF (chinese) pry bars. Still could use a tune up. You did yours right it looks like.. Light Oil on the metal seems to help mine, so it is probably just polish and fit. (and Gawgia rust)

[kenc]

I had no luck with the HF pry bars. First time I used them they twisted like a pretsel.

These alignment pins seem to have a better shape both for strength and for the "ideal" shape of a tuck (if that makes any difference?)

[BLRussell]

Originally Posted by kenc

I had no luck with the HF pry bars. First time I used them they twisted like a pretsel.

These alignment pins seem to have a better shape both for strength and for the "ideal" shape of a tuck (if that makes any difference?)

Same experience with the HF pry bars. I thought it was just me. Yours look great! Will be trying to emulate them myself.