Modifying tools to meet your needs

[Timbo]

Well, it did me and I am soon to start building a saddle, so I am amassing tools and supplies to that end. The one thing I was dreading was spending $50-100 bucks on one or more sets of pliers. I need cantle pliers and horn pliers, but thought I could probably get by with just one of either. I am also a notorious skin flint.

Long story short I used to dabble in stained glass and remembered using running pliers. I didn't have mine anymore so I ordered a pair off of ebay. One thing I did forget was that running pliers jaws are weird, they have one convex and one concave jaw. You line the mark on the jaws up over the score line and squeeze and it breaks the glass. So I ordered a pair off of ebay and took my grinder and buffing wheel to them. Got the jaws a little blue but that won't make any difference. The other bonus is they came with some soft tips that will help in not leaving marks.They are 8" long overall and the jaws are 3/4" wide at the tip and 1 and 1/4" deep.Grand total...................$13.00 with shipping!!!!!

Here's how they turned out:

So what tools have you modified????

Edited November 14, 2008 by Timbo

[BearMan]

Good Morning Timbo,

I modify, & make tools all the time. You may concider narrowing the width of the jaws a little just to give a better grip on the leather. Also, the adjusting bolt could be made bigger, to give a little stronger pivot, for prying. But, it's a great idea using those. I do stained glass also.

Back Many years ago, we lived in Avondale Co. just east of Pueblo, when my father was stationed at Pueblo Army Depot.

Ed

Well, it did me and I am soon to start building a saddle, so I am amassing tools and supplies to that end. The one thing I was dreading was spending $50-100 bucks on one or more sets of pliers. I need cantle pliers and horn pliers, but thought I could probably get by with just one of either. I am also a notorious skin flint.

Long story short I used to dabble in stained glass and remembered using running pliers. I didn't have mine anymore so I ordered a pair off of ebay. One thing I did forget was that running pliers jaws are weird, they have one convex and one concave jaw. You line the mark on the jaws up over the score line and squeeze and it breaks the glass. So I ordered a pair off of ebay and took my grinder and buffing wheel to them. Got the jaws a little blue but that won't make any difference. The other bonus is they came with some soft tips that will help in not leaving marks.They are 8" long overall and the jaws are 3/4" wide at the tip and 1 and 1/4" deep.Grand total...................$13.00 with shipping!!!!!

Here's how they turned out:

So what tools have you modified????

[Timbo]

That is a sweet little round knife!!!!

The depot is still in the same place.........they still store there but now it is also a disposal plant for out of date munitions and other fun chemical stuff the military has had stockpiled for years.

Tim