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Awning tool

FIRST... This was not my idea, I stole it from someone else, I don't want to take credit for someone Else's idea.
My awning tool is a long aluminum rod that is hard to hold on to, especially when it is wet and/or my hands are having a bad day. The grip on the club shaft is easier to hang on to.
This tool was made from an old golf club shaft and a #10 90degree hook.
The hardest part is removing the head from the golf club shaft.  MY method is to heat the head and shaft with a torch and drive the head off with a hammer.  Apparently the club is assembled with some type of heat setting adhesive.  After cleaning out the hollow end of the shaft with a drill bit and using a solvent ta make sure it is really clean the shaft is filled with JB Weld and the threads on the hook well coated also.  After curing a wire brush on a bench grinder is used to clean up excess JB Weld.
Not a very fancy tool but it works.
Gary B
Note that this will not work with a fibreglas or carbon fibre shaft.

Re: Awning tool

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Gary Bouland –
FIRST... This was not my idea, I stole it from someone else, I don't want to take credit for someone Else's idea.
My awning tool is a long aluminum rod that is hard to hold on to, especially when it is wet and/or my hands are having a bad day. The grip on the club shaft is easier to hang on to.
This tool was made from an old golf club shaft and a #10 90degree hook.
The hardest part is removing the head from the golf club shaft.  MY method is to heat the head and shaft with a torch and drive the head off with a hammer.  Apparently the club is assembled with some type of heat setting adhesive.  After cleaning out the hollow end of the shaft with a drill bit and using a solvent ta make sure it is really clean the shaft is filled with JB Weld and the threads on the hook well coated also.  After curing a wire brush on a bench grinder is used to clean up excess JB Weld.
Not a very fancy tool but it works.
Gary B
Note that this will not work with a fiberglass or carbon fiber shaft.

I have one of those Gary,
Great tool.
One of our members Phil Bostrom made a bunch of them and use to give them out to friends.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Awning tool

Reply #2 –
Gary,
 Great looking tool thanks for the pictures and Idea! Don't like the awning tool either. That is the reason we are looking to buy a FT with the auto awning!  Or that is what I am trying to get Donna to believe.

Barry & Donna
2003 U320 PBBS 4020
Build #6165
Dodge RAM Crew Cab 3500 4x4
2001 Jeep Cherokee Limited
Skip # 102803 Motorcade # 17271
FMCA # 408218

Re: Awning tool

Reply #3 –
We were gifted with one of those by the former owners of this coach.  It is MUCH better than the old aluminum rod that we all used for years. I do like your design, because the hook extends a good bit farther from the shaft than ours does.  At times, our model is almost too short for me to reach that elusive strap that can disappear above the slide and underneath the slide awning.  We also have locks on all our awnings, and this sturdy hook is much nicer to use on the stiff locks. 
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Awning tool

Reply #4 –
Great idea and design and timely as well.  Last month we had the coach detailed.  Between all the awnings out and in and out to wash and dry and turning around for the sun direction we left our's hanging on the fence in Port Aransas TX.  I guess I need to either make one out of old clubs I have never used, or plan a return trip to the coast.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Awning tool

Reply #5 –
Carol, Next time specify a five iron, the shaft is longer :) , Dave if you are in the ATL area give me a call and I'll give you one of these.  At $1.25 for the hook, $1 for the club at a thrift store and 10 cents worth of JB Weld its not an expensive item. :)
Gary B

Re: Awning tool

Reply #6 –
Where does one get the hook? Home Depot? Lowes?
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Awning tool

Reply #7 –
Dave, The threaded hook is available at all  the big box stores and is usually a pegboard item in the hardware section.  This last batch I made I had a coupon at Ace Hardware and I used it.  They only had brass hooks so that is what I used.
Gary B

Re: Awning tool

Reply #8 –
Only found one Carbon shaft club at the flea market.  But Dolly had a corn dog and funnel cake for her breakfast, plus found two trees she has searched four years to find.

Thanks for the offer Gary.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Awning tool

Reply #9 –
Dave, Carbon shaft will NOT work, it will split apart when you try to remove the head.
Gary B

Re: Awning tool

Reply #10 –
I remembered you said, metal or fiberglass shafts only.  I got a very nice gift today from Jeff and Carol, of their spare old silver hook with the red plastic end cover.  They have been using a very nice golf club model, to lock and unlock their awnings, and had read I was without a hook.  No more now, and even put it to use tonight.

So we are good, till I can make my own, or retrieve mine left at in Port Aransas, and then I will have one to pass along to the next someone in need.

Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Awning tool

Reply #11 –
Dave, Glad you got one.  Fibreglass and Carbon shafts will not work , they will split when you take head off, IF you can get head off.
Gary B

Re: Awning tool

Reply #12 –
In keeping with the desire for multi-use tools, we have a Awning/Snake Hook combo (see photo). It works great for both uses.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Awning tool

Reply #13 –
Kent, My SNAKE tool is simple...... A good pair of running shoes.. and as fast as I can.
I have not reached the point where I see snakes YET, but with all the pain meds, who knows, may need your tool. :)
Gary B

Re: Awning tool

Reply #14 –
Thompson Contender with 45/410 barrel.
G2 Contender Pistols - Thompson/Center
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Awning tool

Reply #16 –
Talk to some people with the electric awnings...
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT
 

Re: Awning tool

Reply #17 –
How right you are.  If I had at Thompson Contender with me last June, that electric awning would have been history! 
Tom & Bill

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee