Big spanners for stuffing boxes

[KAM]

I'm just helping with a boat which has traditional stuffing boxes on the prop and rudder shaft. We just bought a huge adjustable spanner to fit the prop shaft only to find we need an even huger one for the rudder shaft. In fact two would be ideal to break the locknut. We used a pipe wrench just now but it's a horrible tool to use on bronze. Anyone got any recommendations other than cutting one out of mild steel with a hacksaw.

 

[bikedaft]

cut one out of ply with a jigsaw, hopefully not much torque on those gland nuts?

i bought two open ended steel 65mm spanners from ebay. needed a 70mm one for a friend's boat, 18mm ply worked well...

 

[Poignard]

My stuffing box has a gland but and lock nut which are, if I remember correctly, 47mm a/f.

I found 2 spanners cheap in a second-hand tool shop. This was before eBay which is where I would look now.

 

[CM74]

How big? I have one of these (up to 68mm) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B085NN3YWZ/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_ACT3DJGRF47BAGJZ2Y92
It's not a very good quality tool, and has a very short handle so no use for big torques - depends what you need it for really

 

[Goldie]

I had a similar need for a large spanner short enough to use in a limited space. Try searching for ‘slogging spanner’.

 

[KevinV]

Strap type filter wrench?

Depends how big "big" is ?‍

 

[escapism]

Although the stuffing box adjustment and lock nuts are so big, they only need a small torque. I made a spanner using two bits of ally sheet pop-riveted together. Started by making a cardboard template. So much better than trying to use a pipe wrench.

 

[penberth3]

Although the stuffing box adjustment and lock nuts are so big, they only need a small torque......

You're an optimist!

 

[Supertramp]

Mine is made from an 8mm sheet of fibreglass. The original is made from ply and works fine. I have about 8 tools made from wood to fit water strainers and big size rank fittings.

 

[Stemar]

How about one of these?

 

[coopec]

I got one of these for about $8.00 .

But prior to that I had cut one out of aluminum sheet just as Supertramp has done.


adjustable aluminum thru hull spanner: Search Result | eBay

 

[rotrax]

I purchased an oil filter removal tool based on a mole grip. Used it twice, it worked very well.

Then I decided to deep six the Victorian Engineering of conventional stern gland/stuffing boxes for the Volvo type. Currently on an 'Orbitrade' with vent pipe and grease port, 1 1/4" shaft, 2" tube. Cost just over £100.00.

Used three on three boats in 17 years, never had a leak, or had to change one through wear when inspected. My area underneath the shaft is as dry as a nun's crutch.

Get into the 21st Century..........................................

 

[Poignard]

I purchased an oil filter removal tool based on a mole grip. Used it twice, it worked very well.

Then I decided to deep six the Victorian Engineering of conventional stern gland/stuffing boxes for the Volvo type.

Used three on three boats in 17 years, never had a leak, or had to change one through wear when inspected.

Get into the 21st Century..........................................

If I have understood him correctly, the OP wants to use it on the rudder shaft stuffing box[es].

 

[KAM]

Thanks for the tips. I have a Volvo seal on my own boat so going back to stuffing boxes on my friends boat in Norway took me by surprise with spanner sizes required. I think we'll be sorted soon.

 

[Mudisox]

Try "Men in sheds" they have all sorts of tools for sale at ridiculously low prices.