Cut Dowels using Old Wrenches/Spanners

Large dowels are difficult to make as they require repeated cuts with calipers. This is a work around.
Become a patron!: Patreon.com/makethings/
Thank you to my patrons!
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Jerry Adams
Tommy QR
Zach Finch
Rich Lightfoot

[@MCsCreations]

Brilliant, Rob! 😃 And you could even heat treat it! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@makethingswithrob]

Thanks MC! Yes you definitely could!

[@wb_finewoodworking]

I’ve seen wrenches used to cut to exact sizes on turnings but never for the complete length to form a dowel. Great idea.

[@jasonbailey9139]

My turning teacher used to that for making sure pieces were turned to the proper dimension when he was going to do thread chasing, finials, or other such things. Like you, I'd never seen someone make a dowel this way.

[@makethingswithrob]

Well the big turn off for me was that I knew that the size inside of a wrench wasn't really the correct size. That means you can't cut a perfectly shaped dowel unless you found some metric equivalent. But then I realized...why would you want to make a perfectly dowel that you can't sand and polish? Thanks Don, I appreciate it!

[@wb_finewoodworking]

Rob, great point.

[@TheMessyStudio]

Cool, Rob. I use these to cut tenons on finials.

[@makethingswithrob]

That's a great idea!

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

Finally a good use for those cheap Chinese wrenches :-)

[@makethingswithrob]

haha, I didn't want to say it on the video, but that was the exact thought I had, pound for pound!

[@SujMenon]

Cool lateral thinking idea Rob 💡. Seems to be working well. 👍😁

[@makethingswithrob]

Thanks Suj ;)

[@teeringzooi]

pure genious

[@makethingswithrob]

Not close, but I like the compliment!

[@MarkMcCluney]

That's really interesting Rob. I have a few cheapie spanners in my spares box, I think I'll give it a try. Cheers mate.

[@makethingswithrob]

The only suggestion I have to is to really get those corners off before you cut in. That and, of course, keeping it cool. Everything from there is gravy. I mean, wrenches are hardened steel, perfect for holding an edge.

[@talltimberswoodshop7552]

We need to see a test between Mac, Proto, and Snap-On.

[@jasonbailey9139]

Ouch--that would be expensive. I think I'll stick to flea market wrenches or cheap ones from Harbor Freight. :)

[@makethingswithrob]

I'll put up the Chinese set for the test!

[@NavinBetamax]

.....This tittle is mis-leading. ( Cut Dowels from Old Wrenches )......please replace "from"with ... "using" !!! ( Cut Dowels using Old Wrenches ).......This would be OK if one were to make steel pins...rods....?!!!

[@makethingswithrob]

You got it. ;) That does make sense.