wrench for push-pull set collars

[Robert Rogers]

How could i make one that is easy to hold on to when im working on my guitar especailly in tight places?
Thanks,
Robert

[Chris Lucker]

I have two favorite tools for working on Push Pulls. One is a pin vise with a comfortable handle that holds a straight length of cut-off allen wrench. You can buy the pin vises at a good hardware store or www.smallparts.com. Get one with a collet that is the right size. The other tool I use is one of those ratchet screwdrivers that holds screwdriver bits (the same kind you put into the chuck of a power drill). I found a set of hex bits at the hardware store that fit in the screwdriver. I had to buy an entire set of bits.
The pin vise I use also holds a small drill bit when I need to drill pilot holes in the underbelly of a guitar. There never seems to be enough room between the rods for a real drill and you aren't drilling that far anyway so it is not that difficult.
My tuning wrench is a length of allen wrench epoxied into a drilled out birch dowel plug. It is light enough that it sometimes won't fall out of the allen socket head I stick it into and the little ribs on the outside of the dowel plug offer a bit of grab for your fingers.
I prefer the ball head hexes to the straight ones, although the straight end hexes can be ground away at the tips to resore a good sharp and tight fitting working end.
Small Parts also sells smallish ballend hexes in the Push Pull sizes. They come with the easy to grip translucent yellow plastic handles.
SmallParts is also where I bought my tool for removing and replacing the bellcrank swivel retainer clips.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Chris Lucker on 19 May 2003 at 02:22 AM.]</p></FONT>

[Robert Rogers]

Thanks Chris.Anybody else have any suggestions?
Robert

[Herb Steiner]

Get a 5/64 T-handle hex (Allen) wrench.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association