Making a Park Tool BT3

[Fire Lord Jim]

This is a near indispensable bending tool that is no longer in production. Like an ebike, I didn't know what I was missing until I used one. When available on eBay they command high prices for what is basically a flat piece of steel in plastic dip.
I have a piece from a crapped out Thule rack that I will try to create a new BT3.
Anyone here use this tool?

 

[Patrick]

if you trace that in the other direction.....
improve by making it a bit longer?

fire up the plasma cutter !!!

 

[Magic]

Adjustable wrench.

 

[Karate Monkey]

Adjustable wrench.

Jaws get stuck against the small chainring(s) when bending towards the centerline of the bike.

I've used them extensively, but with the advent of super-thick, spiderless chainrings, the tool is pretty much defunct. IF you bend one, it'll probably snap trying to true it.

 

[michael.su]

if you trace that in the other direction.....
improve by making it a bit longer?

fire up the plasma cutter !!!

Plasma cutter bleh!
@Jim Richardson, I may know someone with a waterjet cutter that may be talked into cutting one out for you.
I would just need to know the thickness of the material, the opening dimension and a basic length.
I've never used one but would think you would want to harden the end a bit so it doesn't bend open on you.

 

[Fire Lord Jim]

I no longer have access to a plasma cutter, it was nice. I have a carbide chop saw & a small angle grinder.
Agree that the adjustable wrench head is the wrong size and shape.
My rainy day prototype thus far:

 

[one piece crank]

I've only used crescent wrenches for brake toe-in, even when that tool was sitting on the bench. I even have a small crescent, maybe 3-inches long, dedicated for brake rotors. My favorite of all time was what we affectionately referred to as the brass johnson, but 99% of the time is was also used for straightening, NOT brake toe-in - it looked like this:


For straightening work I use a hammer and dolly, or typically a pair of ball-peen hammers. I was lucky enought to have been taught this technique my first year at a bike shop, and have used it extensively for over 30 years!

 

[mattybfat]

I was lucky to buy a full lot tool selection of a bike shop going out of business. I wanted a truing set and got a lot more. This was in there.



Though I did loath the morningstar bender which I think @Kirt has handy.
That is probably worth more.

 

[one piece crank]

Did you finish it yet?

 

[Steve Vai]

They replaced that tool with a $1 adjustable from Harbor Freight. Hard to believe someone's time is worth less than that.

 

[Fire Lord Jim]

Did you finish it yet?

I have not finished it, as I am testing it. It does seem that metal from the Thule rack is a bit too soft.

 

[DargSide]

I have not finished it, as I am testing it. It does seem that metal from the Thule rack is a bit too soft.

Temper it with a blowtorch and a tub of water