Pull Pal's on the cheap

[Propane]

I lost my original pull pal and needed to replace it. Problem is I have a few rigs and really needed a few pull pal's to cover my needs and can't afford to buy a few of them.

So I went to work.

Material
3/16 brake line
1/4 brake line
Sheet metal

Tools
Tin snips
Hammer
1/2 socket extension
Channel locks
Brake line bender
Brazing tools

First I cut the sheet metal to make a shield like piece for the head.


Next I bend the 3/16 line and cut it down to make the arm. I like the length to be about 60mm.


Use the 1/4 brake line to cut a small 3mm piece. This will mount to the end of the arm as a hook point.


File a small fish mouth into the straight end of arm. This will cup around the 1/4 piece we just cut.


Now you need to shape your sheet metal. This is preference so figure out the shape that works best for you. This is what I end up with after a hammer and a 1/2 socket extension.

How I held it to hammer and shape it.


All three pieces ready to go. Sand them and clean them to prep for brazing.

After I get the kids to bed I will come out and braze it together. More pics as I go.

[Propane]

All pieces clean and ready to go.


Set up a jig of sorts to hold the arm vertical so you can set the 1/4 hook ring on top.


Hook mount done.


Now it's time to line up the arm and head. Make sure to set your arm and head angle so it works for your rig. I use an allen wrench to prop up the hook mount end. I place a magnet on top to weight it down and keep it from moving.


And here it is done. Takes about 25 to 30 minutes to make one. If you do a few at a time you can make 4 or 5 in an hour.




Coated in some spray on Plastidip.

[BigSki]

great job! It's always better when you can build your own parts. I like the idea of using the magnets to hold the arm upright to braze the upper eye. I always manage to set my magnets on fire!

[crowninshield3]

awesome!
Great work, get out and test it and report back please

[easyroller]

Nice good job.

[jessegallet]

So any testing yet just wondering how strong it is and if it will hold up to some pulling power

[Propane]

Well they can hold my 8.5 pound rig with a solid pull and hang.(No my winch cable isn't that long. Hooked to the garage door for picture only.)




Still need to do some real world trail tests as well as a running start pull.

[Propane]

I hooked the pull pal to a concrete ledge in the backyard and hooked up the winch line from the jeep. I left a few inches of slack in the line so I could get a running start at a pull. So wide open reverse I go on the sidewalk and bammm.....The whole rig pivoted to the front wheels and then it made a huge hop in the air and snap. Front driveshaft! Changed it and made a few more less WFO pulls. Each pull was still with good force, more than what I would pull hooked to another persons rig. After about a dozen pulls the pull pal looked great. No bends, no breaks in the joints, just ripped through some of the plastidip. I have a few made that will get a G6 double header test next month.

[ColquittCustom405]

pretty slick "Rick"

[Daredee]

nice piece
but I think you need a lil more angle between head and arm

[Propane]

Originally Posted by Daredee

nice piece
but I think you need a lil more angle between head and arm

Thought about it, but I like this better. The angle and design of a pull pal is to dig into the ground, in our scaler world I have yet to see a pull pal work like in the real world. We usually just use them as a bigger hook to grab onto various winch spots. Also the way it's so flat when you set it to a ledge you don't always have to hold it in place as you tension the line. It's all preference in what you like and how you use it.

[Devil Inc]

I think I'm gonna try my hand at one of these soon. Thanks tons for the tutorial.

[rchrdwiid]

nice job, bring some to the next G6 so we can have a better look

[Propane]

I should have a few to give out at the G6 to those who don't have a pull pal for their rigs.

[sickcivic95]

A bit off subject here, but where did you get those magnets from? I like how the sides allow you to be able to position them differently etc etc

--Dan

[Propane]

Originally Posted by sickcivic95

A bit off subject here, but where did you get those magnets from? I like how the sides allow you to be able to position them differently etc etc

--Dan

Harbor Freight. You get a few for $5.

[Propane]

I found that the body post mount is a perfect size to grab hold of the 3/16 brake line. Just a couple cuts and you have an easy mount for quick access to your pull pall.