03-17-2023, 09:34 AM | #1 |
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Location: Southern Illinois
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Radiator Comb
I'd like to straighten some fins on radiators that have gotten bent flat. Can anyone reccomend a good radiator comb? The plastic ones for sale on line are too wimpy.
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03-17-2023, 10:50 AM | #2 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
If you can’t find a good comb, you can use a pair of duckbill pliers, that’s all I’ve ever used.
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03-17-2023, 10:58 AM | #3 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
Curry-comb for horses comes to mind. Check Tractor Supply, I've never tried it tho. The teeth/bristles might be a little too short.
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03-17-2023, 11:42 AM | #4 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
I seem to remember Eastman had them.
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03-17-2023, 12:03 PM | #5 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
I have used the plastic fin combs and find you have to get several different widths. The fins seem to vary in width some tighter together and some slightly wider on the same radiator. Some fins are bent too sharply and have to be picked apart. I have seen fin combs made of metal with four different combs around a central handle. Visit your local HVAC supplier.
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03-17-2023, 12:42 PM | #6 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
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03-17-2023, 03:29 PM | #7 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
snap-on tools sells one with several different fin widths and thicknesses, although the "teeth" are plastic
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03-17-2023, 03:34 PM | #8 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
I have always used a couple of putty knives.
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03-17-2023, 03:56 PM | #9 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
I have had this one for years and have never broke a tooth out of it. If I remember right, I picked it up at Harbor Freight.
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03-17-2023, 10:13 PM | #10 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
I’ve always used popsicle sticks two of them takes a ton of patience.
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03-18-2023, 07:55 AM | #11 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
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03-18-2023, 02:55 PM | #12 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
I used a metal fingernail file and popsicle stick, and it took only a few hours to do both sides of the truck radiator in my '41 coupe.
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03-18-2023, 04:31 PM | #13 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
The tool that Snap-on sells looks exactly like the one that Merc Cruzer posted pictures of. It works pretty well.
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03-19-2023, 04:16 AM | #14 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
hard plastic work better than the metal one. If you get to enthusiastic the metal ones can tear the fins
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03-19-2023, 05:49 AM | #15 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
Google "radiator comb" and you will find lots of these tools.
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03-19-2023, 05:57 AM | #16 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
Maybe the combs are different now; but the one I bought never matched the fins on my radiators. Fin counts were always different.
Read they were actually made for HVAC condensers and evaporators. Used flat nosed pliers, putty knives, and sticks to straighten my stuff. |
03-19-2023, 10:19 AM | #17 |
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Re: Radiator Comb
I have the Snap-On tool. It has several combs of different widths for the fins. It works well for me.
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