Clevis Tool

[Andy J]

Noticed on the Scratch Built SE5a thread Greyhead46 had a natty tool for opening sprung clevis, see page 8, although the picture is not the best. Given that I am all fingers and thumbs fitting or adjusting sprung metal clevis both 2 and 3mm types it got me wondering how others solve the issue.

Tried a flat screwdriver on many occasions but that's not the best and a slip can easily damage any covering in proximity to the clevis.

[Simon Tufnail]

I want one of those tools as well, I hate those spring clevis. I like to keep my fingernails, I play guitar.

[leccyflyer]

I use a Sullivan Clevis Tool - wouldn't be without one,

 

[Bruce Collinson]

#metoo but can't readily find one in UK ($3 in US ....)

BTC

[John Lee]

I've got one of these:

 

Can't remember where it came from. Perhaps a free gift with the magazine sometime?

 

Dubro used to do a more exotic version:

 

 

but it appears to be no longer available. 

 

Seems to be a gap in the market.

 

 

[Masher]

If someone can find it, Alex Whitaker 'designed' and described a multi-tool for the magazine. Maybe 5 years ago 🤔 

[Wingman]

 Mini circlip pliers work very well. Sold in a set of, usually, 2 outies 2inies straight and right angled. Also handy for modelling type circlips on motors etc.

 

[John Lee]

3 hours ago, Masher said:

If someone can find it, Alex Whitaker 'designed' and described a multi-tool for the magazine. Maybe 5 years ago 🤔 

This was in the September 2018 edition where Alex described the contents of his bench tidy:

 

[Andy J]

19 hours ago, leccyflyer said:

I use a Sullivan Clevis Tool - wouldn't be without one,

 

On the Sullivan tool what was the purpose of the slot and tang on the bottom left of the picture?

[leccyflyer]

According to their website

 

S524 Sullivan Clevis Tool, a simple, inexpensive tool to open clevises easily. A magnetized slot holds the clevis retaining clip in place, the tab assists in installing and removing retaining clips, and the inset sections will hold the clevis open while installing in model.

 

Personally I've just always used the inset sections, to lever the clevis jaws apart and keep them there when installing the clevis. I tend not to use Sullivan clevises, but the tool works great on other brands.

[barry tume]

Found these,  but a  bit pricey 

[Andy J]

Not sure how you get a magnetized slot but it is an American product.... say no more!

[Andy J]

Nexus do these

[Andy J]

This also may be of interest to some.

[leccyflyer]

17 minutes ago, Andy J said:

Not sure how you get a magnetized slot but it is an American product.... say no more!

Stand too close to a van Der Graff generator?

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

Oh dear, is there something wrong with me using a screwdriver, or my finger nails ?.🤢, by the way, I don't varnish mine🤣

[Andy J]

6 minutes ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said:

Oh dear, is there something wrong with me using a screwdriver, or my finger nails ?.🤢, by the way, I don't varnish mine🤣

Re the varnish is that your nails or the clevis Paul?

[Gary Binnie]

To save the grief of fitting and removing clevises multiple times during initial set up I use a clevis with the hole side cut off, when the correct length is achieved I wind the locknut up to the clevis to mark its position, then fit an unmodified clevis (once). 

 

I must stress that this is for workshop use only, I posted this on another forum and the readers didn't note what I had written, getting very negative about flying with half a clevis.

 

I found some Multiplex clevises in a Multiplex glider that didn't have a pin, just two half spheres that gripped the holes in the servo arm, not seen them before and removed them quietly.

 

[Outrunner]

5 hours ago, Gary Binnie said:

To save the grief of fitting and removing clevises multiple times during initial set up I use a clevis with the hole side cut off, when the correct length is achieved I wind the locknut up to the clevis to mark its position, then fit an unmodified clevis (once). 

 

I must stress that this is for workshop use only, I posted this on another forum and the readers didn't note what I had written, getting very negative about flying with half a clevis.

 

I found some Multiplex clevises in a Multiplex glider that didn't have a pin, just two half spheres that gripped the holes in the servo arm, not seen them before and removed them quietly.

 

That's a great idea Gary, thanks for sharing 👍

[Bruce Collinson]

£45 seems a bit steep.   Paul d T, I have tried with a ground down screwdriver but it can slip too readily.

 

At $3 US, if I get my son to bring a handful back from L.A. in June, is there an appetite for the proper Sullivan ones?

BTC

[Ron Gray]

3D printed version?

[Andy J]

1 hour ago, Bruce Collinson said:

£45 seems a bit steep.   Paul d T, I have tried with a ground down screwdriver but it can slip too readily.

 

At $3 US, if I get my son to bring a handful back from L.A. in June, is there an appetite for the proper Sullivan ones?

BTC

Please count me in Bruce for 1.

[Engine Doctor]

1 hour ago, Ron Gray said:

3D printed version?

Great idea Ron if you already have a printer . Fortune for a 3D printer ?

Or do as I did  buy and set up a milling machine to make a replacement  crankcase that was unavailable/extinct .cost when available was about £30. Ended up costing  nearer to £1000 for that crankcase but enjoyed the experience and still have the mill etc  😀 and new skills to make and repair other things👍 . It must be a mdeller thing .

Edited April 29, 2023 by Engine Doctor

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

Thanks Bruce, but it would take me 2 days to find it in my garage full of junk, it's bad enough finding the end of my fingernails to unclip my clevises,,,

[Ron Gray]

23 minutes ago, Engine Doctor said:

1 hour ago, Ron Gray said:

 

Great idea Ron if you already have a printer

Well we are a community and there are 3D printer owners, me being one! As a result I just knocked up this one for either 2 or 3mm clevis:

 

 

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by Ron Gray