Ferrous Beuler Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 A monkey tool is nothing more than a stick, sometimes just a long blade of grass. A long time ago a monkey figured out that when he stuck a stick into a hole in a termite mound and pulled it out it was covered with termites and he could lick 'em off and go back for more. Now, not ALL monkeys is that smart, some of 'em just watch and watch and get frustrated and get to throwin' stuff around and never get with the learnin' curve by gettin' their own stick... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I use hexagonal sucker rod and drill the hole all the way through the middle. I find that it's better to have something a bit harder than mild steel so unhardened tool steel works well enough. I normally make tenons under the power hammer using swages so typically drill the hole in the monkey tool 1/32 larger than the desired finished size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Welcome to delurk mode Kube, glad to have you playing with the gang. No, those won't work as a monkey tool, they're for cutting disks in soft material, maybe soft metal if you buy a good set. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minifarmer Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Idont mean to sound really spupid, but what is a monkey tool, what does it look like and what do you use it for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Jim Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 It is used for cleaning up the shoulders of tenons. Basically it has a hole the size of the tenon, you slip it over the tenon and whack it flush against the shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Idont mean to sound really spupid, but what is a monkey tool, what does it look like and what do you use it for? If you look at the previous pages in this post you will see information and drawings about monkey tools, courtesy of Mark Asprey I believe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sukellos Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Hello everyone. Been lurking for awhile but this is my first post. I was surfing around on harbor freight the other day and found these. - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices I'm wondering if in a pinch they would work as monkey tools. I know everyone says their tools are crap but I guess Ive just always been lucky with the ones I've gotten. Not all HF tools are junk. Or perhaps I should say that not all HF tools are made from cheap steel. I bought a set of cold chisels and punches there once to use at a job where pilferage was common. Figured I could better afford to lose them than one of my best hand-forged chisels. Of course, the first time I tried to cut a bolt head with the cold chisel I ended up with a "half moon chisel". I went to the grinder to try and salvage it and noted that the sparks indicated high-carbon steel. It was just poorly tempered. I assume that they were oven tempered to minimize chipping and law suits. I hardened them then drew them to a light straw color. It's been 9 years and I haven't had to re-sharpen them since. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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