3/8 ratchet extension bend

[billrobbobjo]

I was thinking of taking a 6 inch 3/8 ratchet extension and bending it to be on a t5 as the gear shifter. So i was thinking of 2 foot one then putting the 6 inch one on top and bending it at like a 70 degree to make it like the old shifter then put a 1 1/2 inch socket at the end as the ball? what you guys think? then weld the joints. Im afraid im going to mess the chrome up bending it first off when bending it. I was also thinking of welding wrenches together to make a gear shift. Any one got cool ideas for some cheaper but cool looking shifters?

[mongocanfly]

It would be nearly impossible to bend an extension without heating it as they are heat treated...you could build what you want and have it rechromed or powdercoated..

[billrobbobjo]

I was thinking I would only be able to bend it with a torch, I dont think a propane torch would get it hot enough without hitting it with a hammer.

[mongocanfly]

Yeah your gonna have to get it rosie red to get it to bend..any torch work will mess up the chrome...

[MiraclePieCo]

I used a long bolt as a T5 shifter. Had a neighbor bend it in his hydraulic press - effortless. Can't imagine a ratchet extension would even be a challenge for a big press.

[mongocanfly]

Lot of differnce between hardness of a bolt and a ratchet extension...extensions are very hard steel meaning if you try bending one 70 degrees I don't want to be around it when you try..it will most likely break and send pieces flying..a bolt is nowhere near as hard so yes it will bend..

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Lot of differnce between hardness of a bolt and a ratchet extension...extensions are very hard steel meaning if you try bending one 70 degrees I don't want to be around it when you try..it will most likely break and send pieces flying..a bolt is nowhere near as hard so yes it will bend..

Ha ha, you must be using those Snap-On tools! The Chinese extensions I use are not hard at all - I've bent them in normal use.
And of course, because you're going to ruin it, those are exactly the ones you'd want to use for something like this.


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[1project2many]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

Ha ha, you must be using those Snap-On tools! The Chinese extensions I use are not hard at all - I've bent them in normal use.
And of course, because you're going to ruin it, those are exactly the ones you'd want to use for something like this.

Funny... that's the same thing I was thinking. Buy a couple of Chuck Homier $2.99 socket sets and you can bend those extensions like pretzels.

I don't think I'd use a socket for a shifter handle, although I might use the socket to connect to a nut that's welded to another part.

[mongocanfly]

Haha I must have better tools than I thought...no snapons here..but I can promise you that you won't bend one of em without it breaking...they will torque and twist back..or break...I'm a master of breaking tools so that much I know ..

[jremig]

Put a big enough socket on the end and you can use it for a cup holder, dual purpose
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