My wife and I changed out the flex-key's on the bedroom window awnings. Wasn't difficult except for un-crimping the crimps. I tried different screwdrivers, pliers, vise grips, and neither worked well. In fact it only caused the channel to break. The crimps looked like they used a screwdriver blade and hammer.
I still have the 2 front awnings to do and wondering if the Zipdee pliers will make it easier?
Anybody bought them and have opinions on how they work?
If the crimp breaks while straightening then maybe use the screwdriver and hammer to put in a sister crimp next to it?
Checked on their webb site and on Ebay,no pliers,what exactly are they?
I did a Google search and got confused. Never heard of them in all my Zip Dee years! Neat if someone finds a pic. ^.^d
Here's some pix Mike;
LIVING THE DREAM - Plan B: FLEX KEY REPLACEMENT . . . (http://airstreamn.blogspot.com/2014/05/flex-key-replacement.html?m=1)
I have a pair of them, all they are is a cheap pair of vice grips with one lip ground down sharp to fit in the channel. I'll see if I can dig mine out and post a picture, easy to make your own. Yes they do work well.
Thanks Bruce, a picture will help.
Here ye be, had to dig them out. Cheep pair of medium vice grips fromHarbor Freight. These are from Zip Dee. They don't charge much for them.
Thanks Bruce! So only ground on 1 side?
I'll pull out the Dewalt grinder and make a pair. I must have 6 pair of vise grips, won't hurt to sacrifice a pair.
You hook the ground side into the groove and clamp them down and GENTLY open the groove.
Ditto,I even have a couple of USA made,the one that won't bend.
Bruce. A picture showing the cross section of ground part would be nice, so, take a pic with camera pointing at the end (as if you where pointing the camera at your finger tip.
JohnH
A few more pictures
Thanks Bruce, I modified a pair of Visegrips and just used them to replace the driver side long front flex-key. Worked great! wish I had made them to do the other 2 rear ones.