Lever Lock 4-in-1 Tool

[huxleypig]

So I managed to make up a tool I have had in my head for a while. This is just the initial proof of concept tool, that is why it is for just 3 (+1 to throw the bolt) lever ye olde Union locks, and similar.



The ends are brazed on...has anyone ever tried brazing something at 90 degrees on this scale? Because I found it very difficult. In the end I had to make up a jig to hold the parts because I only have 1 pair of hands! Here is the tool in an earlier incarnation along with a couple of glorious failures. Because where would we be without fail?



I lost the long socket head screws because the tool is not yet complete, there is still a very crucial part to be added yet. It was all I had in the right size at the time. Here is a video showing the general idea:



Like I said, this is just the start, look out for more.

[davesnothere11]

Quite ingenious and very impressive!

[lockpicker]

Very good!!

[Robotnik]

Respect. I've tried to make something similar; the result was some combination of "totally inoperable," "structurally deficient," and "spectacularly bad." Yours, on the other hand, looks great!

[Papa Gleb]

Very impressive mate. Your work is very inspirational.

[huxleypig]

Thanks for the nice words everyone. It was just to demonstrate that the principle was sound. I am now adding a 'sleeve' to go over the handles, to allow each one to be locked into place relative to each other. Also, so you don't have to arse around with a tiny allen key to move them! Again, this is just to demonstrate that it works...old Union 3 lever locks are not to be sniffed at but they were never the final goal here!



The arms need adding to the tool yet too. These are the final piece of the puzzle and are probably the most complicated little bits.

[femurat]

You never cease to amaze me. Nice work mate.

Cheers

[nozza36]

Excellent work Huxley ! dammit , now i've got to finish mine and shoot a video , mine is a little different (3 part) and the idea is to open 5 lever Curtain wheel locks
well done mate , your dedication shames me into action !

[entropy]

What did you use for the tubes?

McMaster Carr sells hypodermic tubing (stainless steel) all the way down to 0.008" outer diameter, and I had always thought about making something like this.

[budget1977]

hats off to you sir. keep up the good work!

[huxleypig]

Thanks Fem, I aim to please!

Nozza, I can't wait to see your tool. I remember you telling me about it a while ago and I still wait with bated breath.

Entropy, the tubes are a very good question. I first got a pack of micro-tubes and they're great for showing what is possible but were just too unnecessarily small for this job. In the end I 'made' my own tubes. The material needs to be brazeable but also very tough. So they are made from tool steel that has been bored out to varying diameters...this gives me 100% control over what final shape they take too...with premade tubes I would have to be adding bits on here and there...once bored out and everything is ok they are then very, very carefully heat treated. If it gets too hot then it will warp...also, quenching thin-walled pipes can be very hairy, this too needs to be done very carefully.

This tool has 4 tubes (well, 3 tubes and 1 thin bar). I estimate that the concept can be extended to the point where maybe 1/3 wall thickness will still be ok (if the tubes are made as decribed above). This means that up to 10 (maybe more?) tubes can be utilised.

Just a shame life is getting in the way of tool dev!

Budget1977 - thanks, I will keep going indeed!