Rebuilt metal ball hook

[PIEFURZ]

I rebuilt a metal ball hook using an 8" x 1/4" eye bolt and the eye bolt from a 1/4" turnbuckle. The turnbuckle had a smaller eye than the 8" bolt but was a little loose in the ball, the set screw did tighten it up enough. I was going to use the next size up turnbuckle but it was to big for the ball and I didn't have time to grind it down. The 8" bolt had enough shank without thread to make the hook. I used the right had threaded bolt from the turnbuckle so I could salvage the rest of the turnbuckle by adding a regular bolt. Sorry, no video or pics. I can explain how I did it if anyone is interested.

[fingers]

Great job!! well thought out!

[Speedbag]

Why did you need to do that? was the eyebolt on the original worn out? did you need to put a bolt on top of the shank or did the set screw hold it tight enough. Lately I'm having trouble with metal ball setscrews not holding.

IF I read this right, you also Made the S-Hook from the turnbuckle shaft? so the only original equipment was the ball?

In the recent past, another member machined some very awesome metal balls. They hold an everlast shank/eyebolt pretty well.

This makes me think that with his balls and your shank + S-hook we could make a pretty mean swivel.

I always be thinkin'

[PIEFURZ]

Take a look at the worn center hook, 1st pic

Why did you need to do that? was the eyebolt on the original worn out? did you need to put a bolt on top of the shank or did the set screw hold it tight enough. Lately I'm having trouble with metal ball setscrews not holding.

IF I read this right, you also Made the S-Hook from the turnbuckle shaft? so the only original equipment was the ball?

In the recent past, another member machined some very awesome metal balls. They hold an everlast shank/eyebolt pretty well.

This makes me think that with his balls and your shank + S-hook we could make a pretty mean swivel.

I always be thinkin'

The original was almost worn thru, center hook, first pic.
The top eyebolt is from 1/4" turnbuckle because it has a smaller eye. It didn't fill the hole in the ball but the setscrew makes it tight enough. The hook was from the 8" eyebolt. I didn't include a pic of this bolt as the pics were after fact. It has a bigger eye but that is the only way I could get a long enough shank to make the hook. I tried to make the top part as short as possible but that may not be best. I don't know if this metal will last long, only time will tell. Would be interesting to make all from scratch but would take some trial and error to get it wright.

[novaspeedbagger]

How did you bend the bolt into a hook?

The original was almost worn thru, center hook, first pic.
The top eyebolt is from 1/4" turnbuckle because it has a smaller eye. It didn't fill the hole in the ball but the setscrew makes it tight enough. The hook was from the 8" eyebolt. I didn't include a pic of this bolt as the pics were after fact. It has a bigger eye but that is the only way I could get a long enough shank to make the hook. I tried to make the top part as short as possible but that may not be best. I don't know if this metal will last long, only time will tell. Would be interesting to make all from scratch but would take some trial and error to get it wright.

Hey Piefurz, I am interested in how you heated and shaped the hook. I have been thinking about making my own hooks as well but need info on possibly heating and bending a bolt or metal rod Haven't done that before, so any insight would be appreciated.

[PIEFURZ]

Hey Piefurz, I am interested in how you heated and shaped the hook. I have been thinking about making my own hooks as well but need info on possibly heating and bending a bolt or metal rod Haven't done that before, so any insight would be appreciated.

Nova,

I didn't use any heat, just shaped it using a bench vice. I've made a second one with hardware from Lowe's. The metal was harder to bend. Basically the to part is made from one eye bolt from a turnbuckle because the eye is smaller. Just cut it to length. Be careful since the eye is probably bigger than the original it won't go up into the ball socket as far to allow you to get the alen wrench into the set screw. Also don't make it to short or the eye will strike the socket instead of the shank of the bolt when it swivels. The bottom hook is harder to make. I took an 8" long eye bolt with as small an eye as I could get and a long enough part of the shank without thread to make the part for the bag strap to go on. I then clamped the eye in the vice between thick cardboard to protect it with the shank resting on a !/4" piece of bolt that I put across the jaws of the vice where I wanted to make the first bend. Using the leverage of the 8" shank, I bent it, with the parts from Lowe's I had to use vice grips to more leverage. The bolt has a tendency to not just bend at the point wanted but the shank will end up with a curve in it. You can probably see in the pictures where the parts of the hook aren't as straight as an original hook. You can use the vice to squeeze it and shape it as straight as possible. You will have to use the vice to squeeze the hook to make it close more. Be careful to get it into the vice properly or it will shoot out. The second bend will be made similar to the first. Before finishing the second bend you will have to cut off the excess bolt and clean up the end with a file, grind stone and buffer. Be careful with small parts they will shoot out of your hands when using motorized tools. Basically you just keep shaping it until you get something that will work. To join the eyes, put the eye of the hook in the vice so you can bend the eye open sideways then put the other eye in it and bend it back closed. You may want to squeeze the eye tighter if there is a gap where it closes on itself. File down and buff or sand any rough spots that will affect the action of the eyes or strap area. It would probably help to heat the metal but I didn't have a torch or furnace. Also tempering it would probably make it wear better. Google that. I can't stress being careful enough. Let us know if you make one.

[novaspeedbagger]

Thanks for the Great explanation! I'll give it a try when my present hook gets close to wearing out and I'll post some photos. Great Idea PIEFURZ... Looks like high quality work!