Tubing bead tool and other things

[jaybee]

One of the subjects that comes up once in a while here is how to place a bead on the end of a tube to retain a hose clamp. There are a number of good solutions, but I don't think this one has come up before.

Get one of these sets of cheap crimping pliers from Harbor freight and cut the nose off. The mail side of the die should probably be eased a bit on the edges to keep the bead from looking lumpy, but you have plenty of leverage and a bead just about the right size for the job.  https://www.harborfreight.com/9-1-2-half-inch-wire-crimping-tool-36411.html

[enjenjo]

That is a great idea. And I have a pair that I bought when I was out of town, and needed to crimp some wire. I haven't used them since.

Here is another great idea. All of us have old screwdrivers that are only used as a pry bar or chisel. Hold the bit in a vise, and tap the handle off the blade with a mallet. Put the handle on the tang of a file, enlarging the hole if necessary, and tap into place with the mallet. Now you have a nice file handle to control the file better.

[jaybee]

Great idea. Decent handles make all the difference for control and comfort when you're using a file.