Remove your Allen Bolt!

Step 3: Remove your Allen Bolt!

Put the newly assembled tool into the Allen Bolt and start turning! To prevent the top nut from just spinning off, make sure you turn the bottom (closer to the Allen) nut to remove - turn the top (furthest away from the Allen) to tighten.

Success!!!!

Now, throw that little sucker into your tool kit with pride...you've made your own tool from basically nothing!

James Irmiger
Lead DC - Facilities Manager
TechShop SOMA
www.techshop.com

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ffgrif says: Oct 6, 2012. 7:59 PM

I needed a 14mm Allen wrench and bought a 9/16, then turned it down on the CNC. Some times you kick yourself thinking, "I didn't I think of something so simple?!" This is a great idea. I hope I remember it next time... Thanks!

DoDo729 says: Jul 26, 2012. 5:13 AM

Brilliant, so simple, yet so smart. Thanks great tip

adunster says: Jul 2, 2012. 9:46 PM

Great idea, thanks!

DEDELIE says: Jul 2, 2012. 3:51 PM

Bravo pour l'astuce ! Il suffisait d'y penser en effet.

bahi says: Jul 1, 2012. 2:18 PM

We should post instructables about basics or tricks like this more often, sometimes they can be very very useful.

rickster454 in reply to bahiJul 1, 2012. 3:10 PM

as times get tough, we need to get back to some old ways of doing things.
-like snoop said, Every penny counts.

bahi in reply to rickster454Jul 2, 2012. 6:12 AM

You're right man!

fallis says: Jul 1, 2012. 11:05 PM

Another cheap option is to buy a coupler in the size of the allen head, and put a socket on the other end. I've been in a situation (removing a Suzuki wheel axle) where the bolts + 2 locking nuts trick wouldn't work and it took all day to figure out that I could buy a $3 part at the hardware store and have it handled in seconds.

The right size allen wrench is always the best option, but they're often expensive and special order. In a pinch the coupler works great.

http://www.allproducts.com/tool/qiaoshen/17-coupling_nut.jpg

pyletfly says: Jul 1, 2012. 3:07 PM

Excellent idea my friend, thank you for sharing this. I will be putting this to good use.

spring97 says: Jul 1, 2012. 9:02 AM

I did something similar for a one-time use by using a longer bolt and bending the shank at a right angle. However, I like your reusable approach better.

spizzak says: Jul 1, 2012. 7:58 AM

Just had to run to my toolbox and grab this for a picture:

http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/danbujak/2012-07-01-113.jpg

Great instructable... making a tool here and there has saved me quite a bit of time and money while working on my bikes!