How To Make Oil Filter Wrench
Auto Engines,  Cars

How To Make Oil Filter Wrench In A Quick, Easy Manner?

Do you want to detach your car’s oil filter by yourself? Have you ever had the thought of making an oil filter wrench by yourself? Oil filters are an essential part of your car’s engine system. Their function is more akin to the human lungs.

If we talk about the blood of the car, then it is the best diesel engine oil. Add oil in the AC compressor or lubricating oil for the maintenance of your car’s body parts, and oil filters aid in purifying all types of oils, which are used in your car.


What is an Oil Filter Wrench?

An oil filter wrench is a piece of equipment that is used to detach the spin-on oil filters, which are most commonly used in the automobile industry. The spin-on filters are the oil containers, which have a cylindrical shape and smooth surface. Hence, the grip of the oil filter wrench must be efficient to make the process of removing the oil filter easier.

These filters eliminate the impurities from all types of oils, which are used for various purposes, such as engine oil, lubricating oil, or transmission oil.


Types of Oil-Filter Wrench

oil filter wrench

Photo Credit: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-2nd-gen-2006-2013/201983-how-to-change-your-oil-2.html

There are many types of oil filter wrenches available in the automotive industry. However, by material used in grip, the oil filter wrenches can be classified as below:

1. Chain-type oil filter wrench

The chain-type oil filter wrench is most commonly used for the removal of spin on filters. The chain loop is used as a grip, and it is put on the filter. The grip of this wrench is excellent since it has better tractive teeth, which clenches the oil canister tightly without slipping. The chain starts covering the filter as you start turning the anti-bar clockwise.

When using a socket wrench, the excessive tension produced by the chain is more than by turning the bar. Hence, the canister material can be clenched efficiently without any slipping.

2. Metal band type oil filter wrench

Metal band type oil filter wrench comprises two loops, which are fixed at any end of the handle. It is used to tighten up the bands surrounding the oil filter. It also rotates the filter from its rigid place. Without any shadow of a doubt, the anti-clockwise twisting motion of the handle is good enough to produce adequate tension for the removal of the oil filter.

3. Plastic or metallic cup type oil filter wrench

The profile of a plastic or metallic cup-type oil filter is more akin to the socket. The grip of any wrench is highly affected by the knurling given at the bottom of the filter. Hence, the cup, which is fixed at either filter’s end, is directly linked with the knurling.

The socket extension is used to remove the filter. The luxurious cars such a BMW and Volkswagen cars entail such type of oil filter wrenches.

4. Claw type oil filter wrench

A claw-type oil filter wrench comprises three metal legs or claws and a ratchet driver. When you put the wrench on the filter and turn up the driver anti-clockwise, the metallic prongs start detaching the oil filter.

These types of wrenches are used when the filters are fixed into the narrow spaces. Moreover, it is also handy for the removal of tight filters.


How to Make an Oil Filter Wrench?

There are numerous ways to make an oil filter wrench. Well, if you want to make a wrench that can be used for multi-purpose jobs, then the given procedure is apt according to your needs. Follow the below steps by using the required equipment, which is mentioned as below:

  • Seat belt material
  • Square tubing
  • Socket extensions
  • Drill bit
  • Driller
  • Sewing awl
  • Lighter or fire starter
  • Socket wrench
  • Welding machine
  • Paint

Below is the procedure for making a strap-type oil filter wrench:

oil filter wrench

Photo Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2nDh93-Yog

1. Take a seat belt material and square tubing

The seat belt material is quite flexible and compatible during the tightening and losing process of the oil filter. Its good elasticity and durability makes it an apt option for the strap-type oil filter wrench. Hence, take a seat belt strap of 24 inches. Moreover, choose ½ inch square tubing, which elongates up to 6 inches.

2. Make a cut on either side of the tubing

To slide down the seat belt strap, you have to make a cut on either side of the tubing. Make a mark at a distance of two and a half inches. Start cutting the side of the tubing from the middle point of either edge up to the mark using a circular saw. Clean out the left metal at the end of the cut using a drill bit.

3. Drill a hole on the cutting edge of the tubing

Drill a hole on the other side of the cutting edge of the tubing to get the screwdriver in using the driller. The screwdriver acts as a handle for turning the oil filter wrench. Make sure the hole should be made in a suitable size of the screwdriver.

4. Make a few loops of belt

Melt the frayed ends of the belt together using a lighter or a fire starter. Take up the belt and fold it in a way that both ends overlap each other. Before sliding the belt into the cutting portion, make a few loops so that the belt cannot pull out during the turning of a wrench since the loops enable some bulk.

5. Stich the loops

oil filter wrench

Photo Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPVs03aZjmc

Now, stitch the loops using a sew-awl. Hence, the belt strap will clench the tubing tightly so that the concern of pull out of strap will be avoided during the job.

6. Cut the socket extension into two pieces

If you want to make a multi-tasking oil filter wrench, the idea of welding two fragments of socket extension is relevant. Cut your socket extension in two pieces. The upper portion of the socket extension is welded into the tubing on the opposite side of the stitched strap portion. The lower portion is welded at the right angle of the upper portion on the upright side of the tubing.

7. Fix the socket wrench at the end of tubing

Fix your socket wrench with the welded upper portion at the end of the tubing. Hence, the upper welded portion of a socket extension is used for the turning of the wrench, whereas the lower welded portion is used to take out the plug of the oil paint. You can also dress up the homemade oil filter wrench using different colors of paint on the tubing.

There are many types of oil filter wrenches which are used for the different types of filters. According to the toughness level of the removal of the oil filter, you should pick an apt filter wrench. However, you can also choose another option called the DIY technique for the making of an oil filter wrench.

First and foremost, take the material of the grip into consideration during the making of the filter wrench. The seat belt strap is used as a grip material in the above procedure. All in all, follow the above procedure and feel privileged by detaching your own car’s filter by yourself.