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A Mod For Every Tool That Exists and Has Adjustment Allen Head Screws

2K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  splintergroup 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Got my Grizzly 531 bandsaw a couple weeks back. Adjusting blade guides results in the usual "oh hell no, I don't wanna" thing. More so because I have to grab one of the two or three Allen wrenches and loosen the locks to move the wheels in or out.

Did I mention I don't like having to find ANY wrench to adjust a bandsaw? Did I mention I am not alone in this and after market vendors sell thousands of dollars in guide kits that allow the likes of me and thousands of others to avoid tools?

ANYWAY, I bought a couple bags of special caps that press on to Allen screw heads to covert them into thumb screws for some projects I worked on. I'd only used a few, so had MANY left. I lost a few fighting the conversion to metric, but, so far they have allowed me to set bearing guides without seeking out the assistance of wrenches. The pressure they allow me to put on the screws have, thus far, shown sufficient.

Give these handy creatures a try.

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#9 ·
Yep. First saw them about forty years ago when a machinist used them for the locking screws on a tool I asked him to make me. Much prettier than wing or other types.

- Kelly
Very cool, thanks for this tip. I literally have a drawer full of allen wrenches and always have to try 10 or so different sizes before I stumble on the right size. Or worse, think its right, but its metric and then strips.
 
#10 ·
Did I mention I don t like having to find ANY wrench to adjust a bandsaw? Did I mention I am not alone in this and after market vendors sell thousands of dollars in guide kits that allow the likes of me and thousands of others to avoid tools?

- Kelly
I can't take any credit for the idea, but on my 18" Rikon, all of the allen wrenches are housed in a rubberized tool holder attached to the saw. No rattling away, always right there and waiting.

Lots of similar are available from HF up to high end wrenches, Super glue, and never spend a minute looking again.

Life's too short….... :)
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
I just sold a Rikon I bought from my buddy and upgraded to a bigger saw. It had the holder too.

For my little Powermatic, I use rare earth magnets to hold not just Allen wrenches, but, also, the stock guides (I'm running a Carter Stabilizer) and for pliers and open end wrenches too.

I had a couple flat rare earth magnets on the new saw, but, with the caps on the Allen screws, I haven't had to touch a wrench, which is far handier than a wrench holder.

Did I mention I don t like having to find ANY wrench to adjust a bandsaw? Did I mention I am not alone in this and after market vendors sell thousands of dollars in guide kits that allow the likes of me and thousands of others to avoid tools?

- Kelly

I can t take any credit for the idea, but on my 18" Rikon, all of the allen wrenches are housed in a rubberized tool holder attached to the saw. No rattling away, always right there and waiting.

Lots of similar are available from HF up to high end wrenches, Super glue, and never spend a minute looking again.

Life s too short….... :)

- therealSteveN
 
#13 ·
I just sold a Rikon I bought from my buddy and upgraded to a bigger saw. It had the holder too.

For my little Powermatic, I use rare earth magnets to hold not just Allen wrenches, but, also, the stock guides (I m running a Carter Stabilizer) and for pliers and open end wrenches too.

I had a couple flat rare earth magnets on the new saw, but, with the caps on the Allen screws, I haven t had to touch a wrench, which is far handier than a wrench holder.

- Kelly
So the press on knurled ones like these? https://www.mcmaster.com/thumb-screw-caps/mount-type~press-fit/grip-style~knurled/
 
#15 ·
I could see that the knurled, or knobby thumb hold knobs that would allow for easy grip, no slip, and may be a step up from dinkering around with an Allen wrench.

The ones in the initial pic looked smooth, and for my fingers might prove frustrating.

Old arthritic fangers kinda suck…..
 
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