Home made Third-hand tool?
10-08-06, 08:50 AM
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Home made Third-hand tool?
What do you use for your brake third-hand tool? I need some ideas other than LBS to purchase one.
10-08-06, 09:12 AM
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Can usually be found at your local hardware store.
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10-08-06, 12:27 PM
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I use a mini bungee cord wrapped and hooked (Yes, another use for a bungee cord!). Now, where did I put that duct tape and 7 different hammers?
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10-08-06, 01:11 PM
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Eh? What does one need a third hand for? I install/remove/adjust brakes all the time and only have two...
10-08-06, 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by scotsman
What do you use for your brake third-hand tool? I need some ideas other than LBS to purchase one.
Sheldon "Skip #3" Brown
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10-08-06, 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Sheldon Brown
I haven't used a third hand for many years. Ever since I got a 4th hand, I've never found the need for a 3rd.
10-08-06, 02:38 PM
#7
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C-clamp.
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Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
10-08-06, 02:45 PM
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I took Mr. Brown's advice and got a 4th hand tool. One of the most useful I've got. However, I think a decent pair of locking pliers probably work just as well as a regular 4th hand tool; don't think there's much of a difference in price, but with locking pliers, you get more uses.
But to answer the question, for a quick fix:
3rd hand tool options:
-QuickGrips clamp
-Extra toe-strap
-friend's hand
Good luck. Proper tools are key to easy brake cable tensioning.
But to answer the question, for a quick fix:
3rd hand tool options:
-QuickGrips clamp
-Extra toe-strap
-friend's hand
Good luck. Proper tools are key to easy brake cable tensioning.
10-08-06, 05:13 PM
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With caliper brakes, I've had success with a cable tie.
10-08-06, 05:18 PM
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I've never used either a 3rd hand or 4th hand to install caliper brakes. I have used a 3rd hand when working on MTBs or Hybrids with cantilever brakes but it was just a convenience, not a necessity.
10-08-06, 05:21 PM
#11
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I like the cable ties, or tie wraps, or whatever they are. I bought one of those Pedros cable yankers or whatever. More a pain in the behind, than a help.,,,,BD
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10-09-06, 05:49 AM
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I use an old toe strap and /or a small pair of mole grips, that way I can carry on dancing wildly and still adjust cables on my bike!
10-09-06, 09:54 AM
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The Quick Grip third hand tool sold by Bike Tools Etc is exactly the same tool as the Quick grip 6" bar clamp sold everywhere, including Home Depot. That's what I've been using for years.
10-09-06, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by HillRider
I've never used either a 3rd hand or 4th hand to install caliper brakes. I have used a 3rd hand when working on MTBs or Hybrids with cantilever brakes but it was just a convenience, not a necessity.
Just b/c this works for a person doesn't mean it'll work for everyone. I'm going to bet you're not working on many older brakes with larger clearances (I've found it virtually impossible to properly tighten a cable on old centerpull caliper brakes using just my hands, and I'd bet that's true for 99.9% of people who'd try.) I tried being "Hand MacGyver" with brake adjustments for awhile, but the amount of time saved with the proper tools is well used in other pursuits.
10-09-06, 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by San Rensho
C-clamp.
10-11-06, 06:15 PM
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Used an old toe clip strap. I knew there was a good reason to hold on to it...
10-11-06, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Little Darwin
Go to the local hardware store and check out the mini bar clamps... they work pretty well.
10-11-06, 07:09 PM
#19
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zip ties. Most of the suggestions above are probably easier to use if you have them, but I've always got some zip ties handy, sot that's what I use.
