Oil/Fuel Filter Opener

If you have several cars, or let's say you are trucks owner who run transportation business, then you have several types of car or truck. Do you plan to buy various size of oil/fuel filter wrench? It will costs you a lot. Why don't we make one for variable size of oil/fuel filter?

Step 1: Materials Needed

• A chain. It is better a bicycle chain for it is smaller and has more nodes for the same length. But here I only have a broken motorcycle chain.
• An iron pipe of about 15 to 20 centimeters as the handle.

If you find it is hard to make a hole on iron pipe, then consider using a truck wheel wrench which already has holes on it, but you need to cut it into half or one third in length, otherwise it will be too long for working in narrow space.

I have this old water valve that already has holes wide enough for the chain to go through. A lot of things can be used, as long as you have a good grip on it.

Step 2: The Making

We need only about 30 to 40 centimeters of the chain, so we need to unchain it. It is okay if you bend it in the unchain process. They are made of hard steel but bendable. You can measure it directly with the largest oil filter can that your vehicle uses, remember to leave it a little bit longer so that you get better grip between the chain itself.

Let the chain goes through the valve/pipe that we are going to use as handle.

Now re-chain it to make a closed path.

Step 3: Give It a Try

I think using this old valve is also good for narrow working space. It is not too big, yet gives us several hand grip positions to pull or push (loosen or fasten the filter can). Filter can has a polygonal side where there are many vertices (plural of vertex - the outer point of a polygon) that make grips to the chain. You need to use the other hand to align the chain to the can's polygon neatly so that they bite. Sometimes you need several tries to get a firm grip.

You might see this as a wearable necklace, but I tell you what : "Wear it at your own risk!" :D

Step 4: Field Test and Simulation

Here I add on field testing pictures. As you can see we are working in a limited space most of the time. Use both hands to align the chain circling the can. Arrange the position of the handle so that it is possible for you to pull.

Then I make a simulation where the table and cardboard represent the parts under the hood. We can put the valve horizontally in normal use. If you get some parts are blocking above or below, you can set the valve 45 degrees up or down. That is why I use "go-through-hole" on the handle instead of welding the chain on the handle.

Okay, now what if you get even narrower space? I put a silver box on the other side. Then this is the advantage of using water valve. Set it firm on one side, then we pull the valve wheel. The wheel gives us better grip than a straight pipe handle in this case. Otherwise you can make a "T" shape pipe to get this kind of grip :)