Hi, First post

[Fabian]

Hi
Fabian here from the UK.

I'm trying to build a similar tool to the wire tightening tool 'Clamptite' that's sold in the United States as I'm using a thicker wire to strengthen a load of garden fencing that was damaged by the left overs of one of those US hurricanes that's hit the US coast.

The 'Clamptite' tool I own is too small for this so I thought I'd have a go at making one which will take the much bigger gauge wire.



Could anyone here tell me if the part which is arrowed has been machined on a lathe out of steel or has it been cast in a foundry. The body of the Clamptite is copper , but the top or head part is an alloy or stainless steel.

Please forgive my bad description as I'm not an engineer, just a guy trying something new.

Thanks a lot.

Fabian.

[mklotz]

I don't know about the commercial version but the one I made...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/wire-tie-tool-27186

was made completely of steel (except for a brass tightening nut I had lying about) and the conical section was turned on the lathe.

I wouldn't use copper for the body. Beyond the expense, the body of the tool experiences a lot of stress in use, particularly so with larger wire. Also, copper does not turn nicely in the lathe; it's a rather "gummy" metal to work.

[Fabian]

I don't know about the commercial version but the one I made...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/wire-tie-tool-27186

was made completely of steel (except for a brass tightening nut I had lying about) and the conical section was turned on the lathe.

I wouldn't use copper for the body. Beyond the expense, the body of the tool experiences a lot of stress in use, particularly so with larger wire. Also, copper does not turn nicely in the lathe; it's a rather "gummy" metal to work.

My thought's exactly
The feel of the 'Clamptite' is all wrong. Its no bigger than a pencil, hardly something you'd use as a wire baler.

Anyway I took a look at your's and would like to know how you put the slots in the side. I've got a CNC Router so I'll use that to do mine unless you have a better idea.

The conical section is a stumbling block for me as I don't have a lathe or access to one. Think I might buy a cheap second hand one to get me started.

Just one other thing and that is 'Why are is there a pin in the end of the conical. I don't see the point as once you've got the wire in the groove at the top of the conical the wires fall away to the back pin. There's no groove in the forward pin to hold the wire steady.

Thanks again and sorry for the drawn out reply, but there are loads of questions I've got about this tool.

Fabian.

[mklotz]

The slots were done on my mill. If a "CNC router" can handle milling steel, that should work.

The tapered end or, at the minimum, a reduced diameter tip is needed for clearance. I suppose one could grind it to shape but it's certainly a lot easier to form it on a lathe.

I don't really understand your next-to-last paragraph. However, if you watch the video on the Clamptite site as I suggested, you'll see how it's used.

There are numerous Clamptite videos on Youtube; perhaps they will help. These instructions...

https://www.wirecare.com/help/how_to...l-instructions

may also be of help.

[Fabian]

Thank's Marv
Never seen it explained like that, but now the pin in the conical makes a lot more sense than it did previously.

[mklotz]

If the router won't handle making the slots, an alternative is to chain drill the slots and file them to shape.

Alternatives for the conical tip include:

Neighborhood machine shop or Makerspace
Local model engineering clubs might steer you to a lathe owner willing to help out. It's not a difficult or lengthy job.