You Gotta Make Some of these Valve Wrenches. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

americanflyer · #1 04-05-2007, 04:38 AM

whipped up a couple of these valve adjusting wrenches today after learning they would make life much easier while attempting to adjust the first exhaust valve with two stubby 14 mm wrenches. Using these bent wrenches makes adjusting the valves SO much easier! Don't bother spending 50 to 80 dollars for these wrenches when you can make your own. I just took two cheap Chinese wrenches and heated them in my coal forge (i was out of acetylene) and put the proper bends. Then I welded in a piece of 1/2 round bar and ground it to shape. Took about an hour to make them.

#2 04-05-2007, 05:04 AM

You might cut those handles shorter to limit torque potential. I'd hate to see someone snap off a valve tip.

americanflyer · #3 04-05-2007, 05:26 AM

Good point although the extra torque came in handy breaking loose a couple of mine that were TIGHT! I try to never over tighten anything and it is always in the back of my mind.

I think I will shorten them a few inches though as I made them in a hurry today before I left for work and haven't quite finished grinding them yet.

mespe · #4 04-05-2007, 05:44 AM

Looks good, however you really only need one, I use a regular 14mm for the cap nut, and a MB wrench for the locking nut,,, works out pretty good.

biobenz240d · #5 04-05-2007, 08:48 AM

I'm going to make a set when it stops snowing

and the temps warm up a bit. I'll probably make a couple sets if anybody is interested. Just the cost plus shipping

SwampYankee · #6 04-05-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biobenz240d

I'm going to make a set when it stops snowing

and the temps warm up a bit. I'll probably make a couple sets if anybody is interested. Just the cost plus shipping

I'm interested, bio. Let me know how much and when.

tobybul · #7 04-05-2007, 09:42 AM

Try some of this .... long box wrench from sears..

scoodidabop · #8 04-05-2007, 11:16 AM

I'd buy a set!

Cephallus · #9 04-05-2007, 11:16 AM

nice work!

Hit Man X · #10 04-05-2007, 11:29 AM

I still prefer the Hazets that I have due to the angle on the head of the ones you can purchase to modify. I've tried both... Hazet just work better.

natelienn · #11 04-05-2007, 11:37 AM

biobenz, I'm definitely interested as well.. nate-myers[at]peacemail[dot]com

americanflyer · #12 04-05-2007, 11:42 AM

It is much easier with two bent wrenches. I tried with one bent one first and one regular stubby wrench and it is MUCH easier with both. Especially when the wrenches are bent to where they both nestle or 'nest' together. I was able to adjust all the valves without even getting my hands dirty.

dannym · #13 04-05-2007, 11:53 AM

Nice job, I need to do that too.

*thinking* where can I get a coal forge??

americanflyer · #14 04-05-2007, 12:37 PM

You don't need a coal forge

oxy-acetylene would work great and faster. I built my coal forges years ago as I am a blacksmith also. I prefer to use a forge when heating tool steel because better control the degree of heat and observe the color of the metal as it heats. The 1/2 inch round bar I used is an old car spring I had laying around the shop. I had straightened it years ago to by heating in my forge so I could use it to make chisels and punches. The average car spring has 60 points of carbon making it tough enough for simple tools. If you want to use this method make sure and anneal the steel after you bend it to your final shape. Anneal by heating to a light cherry red and placing the steel in ash or lime (I use lime) which will allow it to cool very slowly. This process will relieve any stress caused in the steel by bending it. After that you can re heat the wrench to an even light cherry red one more time and quench it in a can of oil or water. I use oil so it will cool a little more slowly and have less chance of being brittle. This should give you a very strong and reliable valve wrench that wont snap and bust a knuckle. Maybe overkill for a low torque tool of this nature but that is the method I use when making all my tools. Besides, you never know when you may need it to break free some other PITA stubborn bolt elsewhere on you Benz.

tobybul · #15 04-05-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannym

Nice job, I need to do that too.

*thinking* where can I get a coal forge??

Like americanflyer said, all I used was a propane torch. It gets the wrench red hot. Good to have a vise to clamp the wrench on to while its being torched and a vise grip or beefy pliers on the other end. Then, when its red hot, start bending.