woodlands farm, I suppose if you showed a rude picture of him you could claim it was a tool you had made.
Sorry no photos, and it was a simple tool, nothing like some of you blokes have made, so does not really need a photo. After having a hay crop cut by a contractor, there were a few patches that were very thick and needed spread. Problem – no spreader. I knew I had a piece of 3/8ths inch sprung steel round bar, so bent it into the shape of a two pronged fork, cut a notch in the end of a short piece of pipe, welded the two together, stuck an old curtain rail into the pipe, and bolted through the pipe and rail. Time about 15minutes. Cost one welding rod and a tiny amount of electricity. The alternative was a drive into town and spend some money.
Spreading and then turning back the hay was good exercise for me over the next week. It was a simple tool, but by applying the same principle, and using an angle grinder/cutter as necessary, I realised it was possible to make several other hand tools, including a spanner to fit the 3” nuts on the irrigation taps and a shepherd’s crook. I also made a Hula Hoop from some old plastic water pipe when my wife decided she would like to reduce her waist measurement. Pity somebody else invented this 50 years earlier.
