New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

[Richard M.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

I think I have it done for the C2 version. A modification to the same tool Because the C2 rubber tips are bigger, I came up with this and just did a test. It worked. I simply cut 4 slots with my Dremel. I dip the tool in the soapy water, push the fastener in, loaded it in the test piece I made using a thick piece of wood drilled 0.400", and it "POP"d just fine the first time.

More later.....Rich

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[Richard M.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

My machine shop has now moved from 15 minutes to 35 min away from me. For a few days I helped the owner, Matt, with some of the move and getting his new shop set up. His electricians spent several days powering up the new shop. My engine hoist came in handy to move the 700 lb 3 Phase converter needed to run his 3 CNC machines, a Bridgeport Mill, and a Webb CNC Mill.

His Methods Slant 50 CNC machine, which is used to make these tools, had some trouble with the new 3 phase power system. The main hydraulic pump motor needed to be rewired to swap 2 input lines of the 3. It was running in reverse. The electricians said that due to the phase converter operation, that output line is a higher output voltage and was likely the cause. A quick rewire and we had it all set and getting proper rotation and pump pressure. I learned a lot about 3 phase power the last few days. All in all, this little tool gadget has opened new horizons of knowledge for me.....CNC machines, Bridgeports, various machining methods, heavy duty AC power, and learning so much from Matt about mechanical machining processes and equipment.

Okay, now back to the tool.....

I was there yesterday and used his metal cutting blade band saw to create several C2 1963 to 1967 version tools. It's a much better method than my shaky Dremel tool cutting wheel method. He has a special ($90) abrasive wheel on his bench grinder to remove the burrs. It worked great. I need one now!

For those of you signed up for my C2 1963 to 1967 trials testing, I'll be sending this version of the tool out to you.
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I also have decided that for ease of use, this version also works best for the C3 1968 to 1975 fasteners. It's a longer tip and length so it's better suited for this version. However I don't have a C3 car here to actually test it's operation. I have one nearby I'll be able to test when I get a chance. More on that later.
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As an aside, the above C2 version will likely also work for the C1 1956 to 1962 version fasteners but for now this "closed end" version works the best on these smaller tipped fasteners as shown below.
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As soon as the machine shop recuperates from the move and makes his other customers production, I'm scheduled in next to fab a new quantity of my products. Maybe by end of week. When I'm ready to ship I'll place the appropriate ads here in the Classifieds section.

Thanks for your patience.

More later...
Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

I've received some feedback from some of you and it looks like it has worked well for you. Thanks for the info and feedback.

A while ago I also researched other cars that may use similar fasteners. Some Chevelles, Camaros, Novas use similar fasteners. Also the 1956 and 1957 Chevys. I got a note from Dan Patch to check them out. I hadn't thought of them before. Thanks Dan.

Here they are at Ecklers......

http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-firewall-insulation-pad-fastener-set-1955-1957.html#

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It's a corrugated design. Does anyone have a 56-57, 58-72 Chevy that could measure the tips on these?

I may have to take a ride up to Ecklers to buy a set and experiment also.

I also just found these for the '67 to '69 Camaros, '67 Nova and '69 to '71 El Caminos and maybe others.

http://www.classicmuscle.com/p-1521-firewall-mat-fastener-rubber-correct.aspx

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Rich
p.s. My machine shop just ordered several 12' lengths of 303 stainless stock for a upcoming build. He asked if I wanted to make them to keep costs down and use his equipment for production. I agreed and it'll be fun for me to make them. Likely next week if time permits. I have a few projects going on so I have some juggling to do. Thankfully there's a 2nd shift here too. But only one worker.

[Dan P.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

Received the tool and it worked great . I fought these for years and would always buy a extra pack because I usually ruined two or three of them .Always wondered how the factory did them .Now I know . Thanks for a great tool.

[Terry M.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

Actually Dan, John Hinckley posted a picture and descreption of the factory install process. It was not like this tool, but this would appear to work better; especially with fourty-year old push buttons.

Factory tool pushed from the inside of the car, but it had a stop to prevent push through. As I recall they heatd the rubber buttons before install as well.

[Richard M.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

Yes John has a picture of the "Push" tool. I can't find it right now.

In the past he said......
In the plant, we warmed the plugs in a bench-top tray under a heat lamp, and dipped them in a 50-50 solution of warm water and Joy soap just before installing them; it was a 2-man operation - one guy inside with the pusher tool, and one guy outside with a pair of duckbill pliers.


The originals were a soft pliable rubber. The reproductions are harder and therefore more difficult to install. They are not as soft as originals and I have found the repros tear easily. My buddy and I usually had a "....those !^%$# PITA fastener" workdays scheduled when we were restoring his '65 fuelies. Always a chore.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

I've received much positive feedback from many of you that I sent the tools to for trials testing. Thanks for your help.

This past weekend I spent time at the Machine Shop about 20 miles away from here on the CNC and the Bridgeport making them. I have 100 tools made. 50 C1 tools, 25 C2/C3 tools, and 25 premade for either version but need the last operation to make more C2 versions if needed.

I will have them up for sale in the Classifieds Section soon. I also need to put a ad in the Driveline. Prices are commensurate with the Stainless steel stock and CNC and Manual Bridgeport operations. There are 3 to 4 op's to make the parts on the machines. 3 for the C1 version, 4 for the C2/C3 version. Price will be in the ad. Not super cheap, but not too expensive either. A real timesaver so I hope it'll be worth it to those interested.

There is also interest in shipping quantity orders to one of the large Corvette Vendors for resale so you may see them in the catalogs in the future too. I just need more time and CNC scheduling to make more.

Rich

[Scott P.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

Rich, are the tools available for purchase yet. Thanks Scott

[Richard M.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

Rich, are the tools available for purchase yet. Thanks Scott

Hi Scott,

Yes they are, but I decided to hold off on the Classified ad only because I'm quite busy with my restoration tasks at this time. Please send me a email through the Messaging system with your contact info.

Rich

[Todd L.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

Hello Rich,

I am installing these fasteners "without any previous experience" and struggling, so I did a search and found your tool idea. Do you still sell these? I have a lathe, but thought it may be easier just to buy one already done.

Thanks,
Todd

[Richard M.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

Todd I sent you a email.... Rich

[Ed S.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

I've used Rich's Miracle Tool and I gotta tell you..... it is FANTASTIC! Suggest you wet the rubber grommet with some silicone lube or just good old WD 40 to enhances its slipperyness - it will go in a lot easier. Also.... FYI, if you compare a repro grommet to an original one you will see that the "shaft" portion of the repro is about 1/8 to 3/16ths shorter than the original which makes it impossible to install without Rich's installation tool. Another thing - when after the tool is pushed through the hole and is on the engine side of the firewall with the grommet inside the car (in the tool) - I inserted an 8 penny nail through the hole in the end of the tool to wrap my fingers around and improve my grip on the tool when pulling the grommet through. It is difficult to just grab the tool with your thumb and index finger and get enough of grip to do the job. The hole in the end is there for a very good reason.

[Dan P.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

I never made the tool .

[Todd L.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

Thanks for the advice Ed!

[Richard M.]

Re: New Tool - Firewall Insulation Fastener Installation

All,

When I first invented this years ago I basically was publicizing the tool and its dimensions so anyone could make it. As it turned out I had some fabricated at a local machine shop and sent them out to many of you for trials. Consensus showed it was successful. I was going to place a ad in the Classifieds but it never happened. I sold them through PM's/emails and many at the 2017 Nationals in Frisco via Gary Pronesti.

The machine shop is now gone and I'm looking at another fabricator but no definitive plans yet. If I do have more made they will be available through the Classifieds here to adhere to our "No For-Sales Threads" Policies.

So to adhere to our TDB rules, if inquiring about tool purchases please send me a email through the PM system and not post directly to this thread.

Thanks,
Rich