Free 186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook:  
Get tool plans

User Tag List

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12

Thread: McLeod

  1. #1
    Supporting Member forgiaro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    italia
    Posts
    27
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 13 Times in 8 Posts

    forgiaro's Tools

    Lightbulb McLeod

    hello could you help me to build a hand tool called mcleod used by firefighters thanks

    McLeod-460px-mcleod-tool.jpg

    McLeod-821481d1375468210t-my-mcleod-look-alike-tool-trail-tool-001.jpg
    McLeod-821482d1375468242t-my-mcleod-look-alike-tool-trail-tool-002.jpg
    McLeod-821483d1375468268t-my-mcleod-look-alike-tool-trail-tool-003.jpg

    186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook
    Che tu creda di farcela o di non farcela avrai comunque ragione

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to forgiaro For This Useful Post:

    Seedtick (Sep 14, 2017)

  3. #2
    Content Editor
    Supporting Member
    DIYer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    3,055
    Thanks
    793
    Thanked 1,888 Times in 1,683 Posts
    Doesn't seem too difficult if you have access to a waterjet or plasma cutter.

    2,000+ Tool Plans

  4. #3
    Supporting Member Altair's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    12,020
    Thanks
    1,365
    Thanked 30,317 Times in 9,998 Posts
    I agree with DIYer. And remember to use the right plate thickness. Preferably tool steel.

  5. #4
    Supporting Member Christophe Mineau's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    France, Brittany !
    Posts
    913
    Thanks
    832
    Thanked 1,705 Times in 481 Posts

    Christophe Mineau's Tools
    Hi friends,
    Waooo, plasma or waterjet, that's not the common tool everyone has in his shop :-)

    But, it's true that it's difficult to answer such a question without knowing what is in the shop and what's the skill of the builder ...
    and it depends if it's just for making one or a full equipment for a company of firemen ...

    My just two cent idea, assuming at the opposite that it could be a single tool, on the low tech side, I would just say that a reasonably thick steel plate can be cut with a jigsaw with HSS or bi-metal blades (probably several), and a lot of patience.
    I would add some elbow grease, for the filing after that in order to clean up the cut.
    Some oil to lubricate the cut can help also.

    For attaching the handle, you will probably need to weld a piece a steel pipe.
    Please give us your feedback !
    Christophe
    Cheers !
    Christophe
    ________________________________________________________________
    Visit my Website : http://www.labellenote.fr/
    Facebook : La Belle Note
    All my personal works, unless explicitly specified, are released under
    Creative Commons BY-NC-SA license.

  6. #5
    Content Editor
    Supporting Member
    DIYer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    3,055
    Thanks
    793
    Thanked 1,888 Times in 1,683 Posts
    That's true Christophe, only a few of us would have a waterjet or plasma cutter. But there are services for that, and the handle is easily fabricated. Your suggestion though, would work excellently.

  7. #6
    Supporting Member Hotz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South of Brazil.
    Posts
    360
    Thanks
    157
    Thanked 76 Times in 51 Posts

    Hotz's Tools
    To ease the finish before cutting with a hand saw, drill holes (1/2) in the top with the correct divisions. you will have a better finish.

  8. #7
    Supporting Member forgiaro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    italia
    Posts
    27
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 13 Times in 8 Posts

    forgiaro's Tools
    thanks for your cooperation if you have other tips I invite you to write
    Che tu creda di farcela o di non farcela avrai comunque ragione

  9. #8
    Boating Bill
    Guest

    The sharper edge

    I live in he Sierra where these are used by almost all of the fire crews. It's difficult to tell from your pictures but it looks like the straight (back) edge hasn't been honed. The Calfire crews file these down to a razor edge so the tool can be spun 180° and used to cut through roots and small brush.

    Quote Originally Posted by forgiaro View Post
    hello could you help me to build a hand tool called mcleod used by firefighters thanks

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	460px-Mcleod-tool.jpg 
Views:	510 
Size:	50.8 KB 
ID:	2082

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	821481d1375468210t-my-mcleod-look-alike-tool-trail-tool-001.jpg 
Views:	546 
Size:	48.2 KB 
ID:	2083
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	821482d1375468242t-my-mcleod-look-alike-tool-trail-tool-002.jpg 
Views:	924 
Size:	56.5 KB 
ID:	2084
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	821483d1375468268t-my-mcleod-look-alike-tool-trail-tool-003.jpg 
Views:	771 
Size:	54.1 KB 
ID:	2085

  10. #9
    Supporting Member Toolmaker51's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Midwest USA
    Posts
    5,334
    Thanks
    7,044
    Thanked 3,012 Times in 1,901 Posts

    Toolmaker51's Tools
    Quote Originally Posted by forgiaro View Post
    hello could you help me to build a hand tool called mcleod used by firefighters thanks
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	460px-Mcleod-tool.jpg 
Views:	510 
Size:	50.8 KB 
ID:	2082] Click image for larger version. 

Name:	821483d1375468268t-my-mcleod-look-alike-tool-trail-tool-003.jpg 
Views:	771 
Size:	54.1 KB 
ID:	2085
    All the cutting suggestions are practical, and I lean towards the solutions of Christophe and Hotz; drill tooth apexes and bandsaw the profile. Of the tool steels H-series might be a good choice, I'd be surprised commercial versions are anything but 10 gauge [.135/ 3.5mm] hot-rolled stampings with reinforcing ribs. Trimming the blanks first will produce parts quickly. I'd tack weld 4 to 6 blanks together, drill, then saw profile. The extra thickness will saw better than a single blank and fine teeth. Band saws like 3-4 teeth involved in the cut. I'd bet 4-6 drilled blanks would saw in 15 minutes or less. A 3/16"-1/4" [4.8-6.3mm] diameter rod intermittently welded to back side would substitute for ribs in stamped version, if desired.

    There are 3 distinct features missing in the copy from that held by fireman. The teeth are more parallel and deeper, spigot holding allows replacement of handle and is wood. The teeth are important to penetrate ground cover [called breakdown] more effectively. The wood handle puts more balance [weight] to the blade, adds portability, and [since fire is involved] swapped out when charred via the spigot.
    I do like the idea of sharpening the back side. I was in Sparks Nevada during their July and August brush fires. A huge variety of California fire agencies were on scene and that mod was typical.
    Sincerely,
    Toolmaker51
    ...we'll learn more by wandering than searching...

  11. #10
    Supporting Member Frank S's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Peacock TX
    Posts
    11,638
    Thanks
    2,189
    Thanked 9,137 Times in 4,367 Posts

    Frank S's Tools
    A lot depends on where and how the tool is needed for use.the Mcleod has been around since 1905 and is manufactured in a few variations in size. There are several brands on the market and can range in price from $40 to 80.00 made from the same type of tempered steels that shovels and hoes are made from usually either 12 or 10 ga in thickness from around 9 to 11 inches wide and from 7 to 8 inches tine tip to blade edge some of the brands are th eNupla, Zak, Corna, and Lamberton
    Home Depo sells the Nupla brand, I think outdoor world may have a collapseable folding variation for carrying in a pack
    the ZAK is preferred by many because of its tine configuration allows for stacking the spigot of one into the tine of another this allows for less space required to transport plus helps keep the storage area tidy.
    If I were going to make one I might use 10ga AR 400 or ASTM 516 boiler plate or possibly ASTM 514 T1 any of these are restaurant to bending have good welding properties for attaching the spigot. and can be drilled or cut with a band saw though not easily. also they can be hardened
    Since weight is a factor in the use and comfort of any tool 3/16" thick steel could be used for a more robust striking force when cutting through ground cover or roots but it make the tool much heavier to carry and wield kind of like the difference between using a large common garden hoe and grubbing hoe some call it an eye hoe
    Additionally if I were making one I might forge the spigot out of 12 ga mild steel by rolling it to a taper, flangeing the narrow end then drilling and rivet it to the center of the blade instead of welding it then attach a common heavy duty hoe handle like one found in a 10" garden hoe. I might even use the thinner 12 ga material for the blade but forge a slight rearward "V" shape to the tines for added strength
    Last edited by Frank S; Sep 13, 2017 at 11:15 AM.
    Never try to tell me it can't be done
    When I have to paint I use KBS products

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •