My take on scale tow shackles

[steele42]

I've seen this idea in other peoples build threads but couldn't find it in here. I liked the idea so I tried it myself. Cost was about 15¢ per shackle (and my time of course, but that's the fun part). 1/4" cotter pin, 3mm x 1/2" bolt, and a nut.

I used a table vice, a hack saw, and a grinder wheel to clean up the cut. I used a 1/16th drill bit to make sure my hole was centered, then the 1/8th bit to make the hole the right size for the bolt. After I drilled my holes I rounded the edges of the cut so the shackles could swing on the bumper mounts (you'll know what I mean if you mount them without rounding the cut edges.)

And they are heavy enough to be good vertical indicators

 

[Big Daddy]

Definitely stealing.

 

[adamargue]

That last picture is prolly my new favorite scale picture.

 

[Numbcrawling]

Definitely stealing.

+1 on that! I am going to make a set of these when I get home for sure!

 

[Dam]

Great idea, just ordering bit's of the 'bay Nice one "thumbsup"

 

[Mt.Dew]

Definitely stealing.

X2.... Easy, Cheep, and they look Sweet, nice job. and nice JEEP!

 

[stelerzman]

SWEET, alum or steel????

 

[steele42]

Definitely stealing.

Steal away! Post up pics here when you get them done. It'd be fun to see them on other peoples rigs.

That last picture is prolly my new favorite scale picture.

Thanks! I really like that one too :mrgreen:

+1 on that! I am going to make a set of these when I get home for sure!

Post pics when done. I want to see how they turn out for everyone else.

Great idea, just ordering bit's of the 'bay Nice one "thumbsup"

Thanks!

X2.... Easy, Cheep, and they look Sweet, nice job. and nice JEEP!

Thanks I appreciate it "thumbsup"

SWEET, alum or steel????

That is a good question. I just asked the clerks at the local hardware store for 1/4" cotter pins, so whatever is the "norm" I would think. I will see if I can find that out from them tomorrow.

 

[DwaneO]

Very cool. They look great , are functional, and the best part is you made them.

Good Job

Dwane

Ohh yea, GREAT PICS

 

[lost-Bunch]

Those are great going to make some tomorrow. I could not bring myself to pay 7 or 8 dollars a piece.

 

[nebie545]

I got the stuff in my basement now. time to play

 

[steele42]

SWEET, alum or steel????

Turns out they are steel.

Those are great going to make some tomorrow. I could not bring myself to pay 7 or 8 dollars a piece.

Post up picks when you are done "thumbsup"

I got the stuff in my basement now. time to play

Show off you finished product here please :mrgreen:

 

[sumquak]

i like the vertical indicator visual. nice idea.

i've been making and giving these away for about a year now.

5/32 and 1/8 stainless cotter pin and 0-80 screw.

 

[steele42]

i like the vertical indicator visual. nice idea.

i've been making and giving these away for about a year now.

5/32 and 1/8 stainless cotter pin and 0-80 screw.

Dang, those look nice! "thumbsup"

 

[maley607]

Looks great! Good job. But I know most cotter pins are soft metal, ran into any issues with functionality?

 

[steele42]

Looks great! Good job. But I know most cotter pins are soft metal, ran into any issues with functionality?

They are a softer metal which makes them easy to work on. I haven't ran into any issues yet. They've only had two good runs on them, and the last one I drug them around alot, but it didn't affect them. I haven't used them to tow or pull anything yet, but I imagine my bumper will get pulled off before those things will do anything. If something ever did happen to them I would just make them again they were so cheap :mrgreen:

 

[Spizo43]

This is a must add to my rig...score! Nice job too.

 

[Mt.Dew]

Well I made some, need to use soft jaws in vice next time. drilled and taped the holes so I can just screw the bolt in. Also tried to make one out of aluminum with a file but not too happy with it. I'll make more out of cotter pins when I have time.

 

[steele42]

Well I made some, need to use soft jaws in vice next time. drilled and taped the holes so I can just screw the bolt in. Also tried to make one out of aluminum with a file but not too happy with it. I'll make more out of cotter pins when I have time.

Nice! I think they look good "thumbsup" Good idea tapping the holes. Post up a pic when you get them mounted up on your rig

 

[FlightInstrukta]

steele42, what camera and lens were you using to take those pics? they look crisp...

and great job on the shackles..."thumbsup"