Thread: Tite totes

Originally Posted by MartinCH

..... That particular tote was tightened a month to 2 ago. Change of season?....

Probably. When you consider that the widest part of the rear handle is across the grain, the height is going to be the dimension that responds most to humidity changes. But totes seem to work loose of their own account too, I find I have to twitch one up every now & then. It's definitely not a good idea to leave them loose, it greatly increases the chance of it splitting...

Cheers,

It's the change in weather pattern. Last couple of wet years all mine have stayed nice and tight but lately most have needed attention. The real pain is having to grind down the end of the rod when there is no more room to tighten. I never seem to have a washer that will fit both the rod and in the wood recess. This time round I found a pack of small spring washers that are a good fit and they work very well.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by orraloon

I....... The real pain is having to grind down the end of the rod when there is no more room to tighten. I never seem to have a washer that will fit both the rod and in the wood recess....

Yairs, thick-ish washers with a 7/16" OD & 7/32" ID are not standard hardware store fare! I made a couple in the past before I had my metal lathe (by a very cumbersome method), but now I have a metal lathe I just drill out some 7/16 brass rod & part off whatever thickness is required.

Someone on the UK forum reckoned the little knurled nut that holds an old-style bicycle valve in place, fits nicely, so if anyone else is having a problem & there are any old bikes around.....

Cheers,

Ian
Cool sideways concept.
The presta valves are remain a standard. looked up the pitch they were -wondering if they matched any Stanley now odd ball threads

Threading. The valve threads for Presta valves follow the ISO 4570 standard. The external threads at the tip of both "threaded" and "unthreaded" Presta valves are 5V2 (#12-24TPI), which measures out to 5.2×1.058 mm, the same thread size as the tip of a Dunlop valve.

Unfortunately not, but should make handy "thick" washers

PS - Had a few planes go slightly loose, pair to meeting it here. It's one of the first things currently checking, if a plane feels a bit off in performance.
And now I have learnt a new "trick"

Hi all. I have had some success with using leather to make washers. Hollow punches of the right size make them quickly and they are easy to poke down around the rod.