Turn Your Wrenches Into New Tools for Your HD Mechanic Toolbox

Almost every heavy-duty mechanic has had to modify their tools at one point while doing repair works. 

Suppose you’re working in a remote area and realize you don’t have a certain tool. You can’t just run to the store and get it. Now you need to think on your feet and figure out a way to work with what you’ve got. 

That’s when knowing how to modify your tools can come in handy. Wrenches are particularly versatile like that. You can easily bend and re-shape them to fit your situation.

Modified tools aren’t the replacement for the proper tools, but modifying your tools can save time when you’re in a tight spot.

Wrenches are some of the most straightforward tools to modify. They are readily available, don’t cost too much, and modifying won’t ruin them (too badly).

Although the wrenches are now available in all types and sizes, enough to satisfy any technician’s requirements, sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you need to modify what you’ve got to get the job done quickly. Or perhaps you’re a heay-duty apprentice who is still building up their toolbox but you were smart enough to make sure you’ve got wrenches.

You have to be creative to modify tools, if you are unable to reach the exact locations for electrical repairs with what you have, then you have to think out of the box. Some minor heating to bend the wrenches will help with the modification.

As an example, let’s say you have to remove a fuel pump from an engine, but the right-angled wrench is unavailable. With a butane torch and some pliers you can quickly heat up one of your existing wrenches and bend it. Now, the wrench is bent at the right angle at the site to get the fuel pump removed.

Wrenches can also be shortened if required. Like if you’ve need to remove a bolt from a tight location. You can simply cut it to the appropriate length. 

Likewise, you can make a wrench longer by welding two wrenches together. Maybe you need some additional torque and require a longer wrench for changing mini excavator tracks. Measure the length you want the wrench to be and then cut them to size, from there you just weld the two pieces together and it’s as easy as that.

An efficient mechanic must learn the art of tool modification. This isn’t new, and mechanics have been doing it for quite a long time. When you don’t have the option to resolve an issue with what you’ve got, you’ll have to make adjustments with the tools you have to save time or money.