# DIY chainring bolt spanner
**URL:** https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463
**Category:** Help
**Created:** [August 26, 2013, 4:12am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463 "2013-08-26T04:12:05Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Bigadz](https://fixed.org.au/u/Bigadz)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2013, 4:12am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/1 "2013-08-26T04:12:05Z")
Has anyone ever made one from things lying around the home, or otherwise improvised?
I want to get a stuck chainring bolt off and the bolt protrudes through a little bit, precluding the use of a screwdriver.
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### Author:  [@generic\_hipster](https://fixed.org.au/u/generic_hipster)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2013, 4:19am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/2 "2013-08-26T04:19:25Z")
I once bent the prongs on a fork so it’d hold the bolt, it kind of worked.
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### Author:  [@Bigadz](https://fixed.org.au/u/Bigadz)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2013, 4:22am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/3 "2013-08-26T04:22:12Z")
> [@generic\_hipster](#):
>
> I once bent the prongs on a fork so it’d hold the bolt, it kind of worked.
Brilliant. I’ll be back
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### Author:  [@Bigadz](https://fixed.org.au/u/Bigadz)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/4 "2013-08-26T04:38:24Z")
It almost worked. Unfortunately the notches on the bolt were already worn a bit from previous attempts so the fork prongs just slip. Thanks anyway.
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### Author:  [@generic\_hipster](https://fixed.org.au/u/generic_hipster)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2013, 4:41am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/5 "2013-08-26T04:41:18Z")
It was a fairly ghetto option. In my experience with worn bolts even a proper holder wont work too well.
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### Author:  [@a.davis12](https://fixed.org.au/u/a.davis12)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2013, 4:48am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/6 "2013-08-26T04:48:54Z")
> [@Bigadz](#):
>
> It almost worked. Unfortunately the notches on the bolt were already worn a bit from previous attempts so the fork prongs just slip. Thanks anyway.
did you cut them so they were blunt?? may aswell try now the fork is dead. and +1 to matthias, the park tool one still sucks
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### Author:  [@Bigadz](https://fixed.org.au/u/Bigadz)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2013, 4:54am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/7 "2013-08-26T04:54:39Z")
No, but I had stuffed the bolt quite a lot already so I don’t think anything would have much chance.
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### Author:  [@boyracer](https://fixed.org.au/u/boyracer)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2013, 5:55am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/8 "2013-08-26T05:55:20Z")
Those PARK ones are only there to make up the numbers in XX piece kits aren’t they?
I made one years ago out of an old (stubby) screwdriver using just a file… works a treat. the taper of the old screwdriver blade helps to locate the tool in the slot. Give it a bit of a love tap with a leather mallet…I haven’t met a CR bolt that didn’t take to its charms.
I also made an angled nipple driver/an awl/ a burnisher.
Man, i have too many tools.
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### Author:  [@snowflake](https://fixed.org.au/u/snowflake)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2013, 1:21pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/9 "2013-08-26T13:21:37Z")
> [@boyracer](#):
>
> Man, i have too many tools.
Impossible.
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### Author:  [@P\_N20](https://fixed.org.au/u/P_N20)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2013, 4:53pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/10 "2013-08-26T16:53:34Z")
I modified a small wall bracket to fit in the slots. It didn’t work. I ended up buying a proper one.
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### Author:  [@Captain\_Commuter](https://fixed.org.au/u/Captain_Commuter)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/11 "2013-08-27T00:48:22Z")
I’ve got a BBB one that is (uncommonly) better than the Park one I had. It was only about $10-$15…how much is your time worth?
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### Author:  [@MikeD](https://fixed.org.au/u/MikeD)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/12 "2013-08-27T00:49:34Z")
^ and your knuckles.
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### Author:  [@Bigadz](https://fixed.org.au/u/Bigadz)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/13 "2013-08-27T04:49:38Z")
> [@Captain\_Commuter](#):
>
> I’ve got a BBB one that is (uncommonly) better than the Park one I had. It was only about $10-$15…how much is your time worth?
I was trying to get it done last night so I could ride the bike today.
Thanks for the BBB recommendation. I was going to get the Park one from wiggle for the same price but now I won’t.
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### Author:  [@Lorday](https://fixed.org.au/u/Lorday)
#### Post date: [August 27, 2013, 9:36am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/14 "2013-08-27T09:36:35Z")
> [@MikeD](#):
>
> ^ and your knuckles.
One week old. Fresh chainring to the finger after tool slipped. You win some you lose some.
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### Author:  [@Cons](https://fixed.org.au/u/Cons)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2013, 6:11am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/15 "2013-08-28T06:11:35Z")
while this is up the top, I thought I’d ask, what do you guys do with chainring bolts where some sod has put a non-grooved part on the back? It’s upsetting me greatly.
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### Author:  [@P\_N20](https://fixed.org.au/u/P_N20)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2013, 1:36pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/16 "2013-08-28T13:36:25Z")
^ drill?
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### Author:  [@red](https://fixed.org.au/u/red)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2013, 3:09pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/17 "2013-08-28T15:09:29Z")
^^^ this is what i would suggest for all chainring bolt problems… drill those crappy alloy ones out, spend 20 bucks and go get some stainless ones
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### Author:  [@Bigadz](https://fixed.org.au/u/Bigadz)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/18 "2013-08-28T15:35:33Z")
> [@red](#):
>
> ^^^ this is what i would suggest for all chainring bolt problems… drill those crappy alloy ones out, spend 20 bucks and go get some stainless ones
I’ve got to drill out mine. It’s a decent stainless one.
/sadface
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### Author:  [@supermanlegs](https://fixed.org.au/u/supermanlegs)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/19 "2013-08-28T20:08:52Z")
Dremel or angle grinder.
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### Author:  [@P\_N20](https://fixed.org.au/u/P_N20)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/diy-chainring-bolt-spanner/62463/20 "2013-08-28T20:11:46Z")
> [@Lorday](#):
>
> [](http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd395/Sydcat1/D682CD42-F961-45F6-8F26-CD21A2EA9F3A-2891-000003326A5CBECF_zpsc72e667d.jpg)
>
> One week old. Fresh chainring to the finger after tool slipped. You win some you lose some.
Hope you’re okay, man.