Internal o-ring inserter tool

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Not a welding project... but I thought someone would enjoy how I spent my Saturday in the shop.So I have a lot of 1/2" o-rings (112) that need to  be installed into a groove that a half inch into the bore. It's not tough to install by hand... but a tool would be nice. So today I made a small spring loaded tool. It works very fast and puts the o-ring into the part without damage every time. Basically the tool consists of the adjustable head, the catch hook bar, a spring, a thumb plunger, and the body.To use you depress the plunger, lay the o-ring in the hook, release the plunger and let the o-ring be taken up. Put the tool in the bore and depress the plunger and this pushes the o-ring into the groove. Takes about that long. I have a few build photos... but forgot to take a picture with all the pieces laid out. Figures I can't find an allen wrench in the house. Are these available commercially for cheap? I need one for a 114 also but I'm not excited about building a second one.  Attached Images
Reply:That's pretty badass.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Really clever idea!
Reply:i can see that being copied in work. as when we do major service on our macine we have to change the o-rings in the blowing blocks.theres 4 in each block and 14 blocks absolute nightmare job to do.
Reply:Look at that slick little tool, I would have been cursing till my fingers bled, this one is added to the archives.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I can see why you don't want to make many more. You have a little machining time involved in that, but it looks great. Awsome design and I'm sure it works as well as it looks.
Reply:Very cool, I am still trying to visualize how it works.  May just take a few more minutes.
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverThat's pretty badass.
Reply:Here are a couple of pictures of the internal parts. Enjoy! Attached Images
Reply:Is this tool intended to be used in a manufacturing enviroment where it would install a specific oring in its bore? I only ask because i have used much simpler tools for service and repair.Here is a examplehttp://www.hidromar.es/m/pdf/en/util.pdfBriggs weldnpower 225/210/cvLn-25 suitcaseMillermatic 130
Reply:Originally Posted by WinmacIs this tool intended to be used in a manufacturing environment where it would install a specific oring in its bore? I only ask because i have used much simpler tools for service and repair.
Reply:Reworked the upper plunger. I didn't like the threads rubbing on the bore. I also lengthen it a bit to take up some slop. I shaved a 100 thou off the flat bar and added a roll pin to ensure the spring tension. Ideally I would have used a little longer spring... but I used what I could find locally. I included a picture of how I install small short roll pins. Drill the hole. Wrap the pin with a tape tab (I would have held with pliers if I had the room). Press in the pin with the drill bit and quill. I'm sure it's drill abuse but it works.  Attached Images
Reply:Turned a nice little knob to finish it off.  Attached Images
Reply:Very good, Forhire!! If you can't find it,build it!!                                                MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by mla2ofusVery good, Forhire!! If you can't find it,build it!!
Reply:Wow, that's really cool.  Thanks for the video
Reply:Nice one!  That's gonna save some time.(Retired) Professional firefighter, amateur everything else I try to do...Oh yeah:  Go Big Red!   (You know: one of the 12 members of the Big 10 cuz we left the 10 members of the Big 12...)
Reply:I first thought this was going to be for diesel injectors.Its much more cooler though! -Golf ClapLincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:excellent work!  thanks for the vid.I can see a pistol grip operation on that.
Reply:Originally Posted by filletheadexcellent work!  thanks for the vid.I can see a pistol grip operation on that.
Reply:beautiful.
Reply:Good job!  Here's a similar grasping/bending concept for a semi-automated machine.  http://www.otbdesigns.com/Product-OR...prod_ORing.htmA video of it in use:  http://www.otbdesigns.com/Movie/O-Ri...taller%201.wmv"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireGreat minds think alike!  Before I built it... I thought some kind of pistol grip or pliers type handle/mechanism would be nice. During the build I decide to keep it simple and see how it goes. They syringe style is working well. The thumb is the strongest digit so it takes no real effort. I'm sure I'll know if a change is in order after 50 or so rings. If I get really lazy... I'll put a pneumatic cylinder on it.
Reply:"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I've enjoyed the insertion tool for the small 112 o-ring (1/2") so much... I decide I'd go ahead and build one for the larger 114 o-ring (5/8"). Crazy I know.  On the last one I was really flying blind. Make a part, massage it to fit, blah, blah. Now that I know how it goes together... the parts are a lot easier to make. This time I modeled  the business end and let the cnc handle the finer details.  The result is a much smoother operating head. The last one I just buzzed off the corners with an endmill... the rounded nose really draws the ring in smooth. I still need to slot the upper plunger, pin the flat push bar, and put the retainer screws in. I'm waiting on the spring so it might be a few days. Here are some pictures so far. Attached ImagesBadass!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by AcemanBadass!!!
Reply:Great work!-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Finished the plunger. Now all I need is the spring to do the the final fit up.  Attached Images
Reply:I spoke too soon. After robbing the spring from the other unit it was soon discovered that I hadn't measured something right. I had to remake the plunger.  I could have shaved 3/8" off the body but I couldn't figure an easy way to hold it without swapping chucks.  I was already setup for the plunger... so I made a new one. In the end it was the better option.I used a screw to index the set screw holes. Basically put a screw into the first hole the correct distance. Then the second and third are equally spaced when rotated against the bottom of the vise. Quick and dirty. Works good for thirds. Yes I have an indexer but this didn't require any setup. The second unit is done and has been tested. Worked every bit as good as the first. Note that this ring isn't seated as deep in the bore as the other. The curved entrance draws the ring up real clean and smooth. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by fillethead+1  to thatwhat cnc program do you use may i ask?
Reply:The spring arrived this morning. Both insertion tools are ready to go. I'm finally done! Here's a picture with both together. The top version inserts a #112 ring and the bottom does a #114. Now I can get back to some paying work.  Attached Images