
Mike
You are probably right that smaller would be better--but we are creatures of habit.  I cobbled the one I use 20+ years ago and it is usually handy and "just feels right".  I too have a "streacher" spark cable and coil cable.  Sometimes in the field and I want to see if the coil is bad--just replace with known good one before removing the machine coil from the engine.  I used to could--as I remember--hold three things with two hands and read a meter while doing so.  Now I do good to hold one small thing with two hands and call for help in reading the meter.
Bear


Live every day of your life like a three year old.  Get down in the dirt with it, roll in it and smile a lot.  Bear


--- Mike Sloane <mikesloane@verizon.net> wrote:

From: Mike Sloane <mikesloane@verizon.net>
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 06:33:47 -0500
To: Antique tractor email discussion group <at@lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject: spark checker (was Re: [AT] Chineese yunk--now vice grips

I like your trick. Rather than use something as heavy and cumbersome as 
a vice-grip pliers and getting involved with the welder, I use an old 
battery charger clip and a hose clamp. See: 
<http://public.fotki.com/mikesloane/tools__equipment/ignition_tester.html>
(The image was posed, obviously, and in actual use I would have to find 
an unpainted surface on which to place the clamp.) The advantage is that 
it doesn't weigh much and can sit in the corner of a "field" tool box. 
It is also easy to change the position of the clamp, if necessary. 
Another handy accessory is a 1 or 2 foot length of HT cable with male 
and female ends for when you need a "cable stretcher" to place the 
tester in a more convenient position. This is more often needed with 
servicing lawn mower and similar one cylinder engines that have very 
short ignition cables.

Mike

Bill Bear Hood wrote:
> 
> Bear Vice grip trick.  For checking fire from mags, just weld a ok
> spark plug to spare vice grips and you can ground the plyers to a
> bolt or the frame and hook up wire and turn mag/engine.  As I get
> much blinder at my young age--I need to be able to see easier.  Lay
> your hat to block the shop or sun light and this is easier for me to
> see the spark and I am not caught going Ho, Who, Hooo, Whoot when
> holding the plug wire in my hand.
> 


-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
mikesloane@verizon.net
Website: <www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>

The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of
those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have
too little. -Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd US President (1882-1945)


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