Spanner kits

Di Bono would also weep in his tea.

I have a different approach to spanners - and have spanners for as many situations as possible - as on a yacht a standard set of spanners is inadequate. Not helped in our case as some of the componets are imperial some are metric

I've trimmed down spanners to allow better rotation of the studs, nuts and bolts securing the water pump on a MD20. You need a full length spanner to 'crack' the connectors and then a little, short handled, spanner to rotate more that a few degrees.

I have cranked ring spanners where a conventional 'flat' spanner, open or cranked, needs bit of clearance. You could bodge and use a flat spanner at an angle - but then you risk damaging the nut or bolt head.

I have sockets that fit many situations when a spanner is useless and I have long sockets for deeply recessed bolts, or nuts.

Then I have had to source a specially large socket so as the remove the large nut on Josepheline's props (Volvo prop). The socket is only needed for that specific nut.

I also have ratchet spanners.

Those that criticise, the kit in post 1, might need a bit of exposure to real life - but I have not had time to try them in anger - I'll report back in a year.

The kit only needs to be perfect once - and its been worth the investment of Stg10.

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
Di Bono would also weep in his tea.

I have a different approach to spanners - and have spanners for as many situations as possible - as on a yacht a standard set of spanners is inadequate. Not helped in our case as some of the componets are imperial some are metric

I've trimmed down spanners to allow better rotation of the studs, nuts and bolts securing the water pump on a MD20. You need a full length spanner to 'crack' the connectors and then a little, short handled, spanner to rotate more that a few degrees.

I have cranked ring spanners where a conventional 'flat' spanner, open or cranked, needs bit of clearance. You could bodge and use a flat spanner at an angle - but then you risk damaging the nut or bolt head.

I have sockets that fit many situations when a spanner is useless and I have long sockets for deeply recessed bolts, or nuts.

Then I have had to source a specially large socket so as the remove the large nut on Josepheline's props (Volvo prop). The socket is only needed for that specific nut.

I also have ratchet spanners.

Those that criticise, the kit in post 1, might need a bit of exposure to real life - but I have not had time to try them in anger - I'll report back in a year.

The kit only needs to be perfect once - and its been worth the investment of Stg10.

Jonathan
Click to expand...
Yes it only needs to be perfect once and it will perfectly round off the nut or bolt that you have butchered leaving you with a worse problem.
I come from a family of engineers and fitter turners who once owned an engineering works and small furnace. I was taught from a very early age that there is a correct tool for every job. When I managed a works I ensured that all the fitters had the necessary tools for their work and the specialist spanners and tools were available in the fitting shop such that no one would be faced with butchered bolts and nuts. They were told that adjustable spanners / shifters / movers were banned and would not be tolerated yet still one or two thought that they couldn't do without them. The first one I saw with one I took it off him took him and his implement into the fitting shop and cut it into 3 pieces with the gas axe. Then issued the warning that any subsequent attempt to use such a thing would result in the same action plus disciplinary action.
A boat and it's mechanical parts primarily engine, driveshaft and gearbox plus steering are all simple and as you say apart from fabricating a few spanners by shortening them there is nothing that cannot be worked on with the spanners you mention plus a decent range of sockets. There is absolutely no need for shit like in the OP to ever find its way near to a bolt or nut.
Rant over.
 
nevis768 said:
Ratchet spanners are the dogs b+llocks for awkward or tight spaces
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A friend of mine built a Caterham kit car. The suppliers recommended the kit of tools to buy for the build. He bought along some ratchet spanners to assemble our new launch trailer & I could not help feeling how poor the ratchet part seemed. I was frightened to put any weight on the ratchet as I felt that I was going to smash the ratchet. I also noticed how far apart the ratchet mechanism was. I am surprised Caterham recommended it.
A decent set has a close spaced ratchet. I have a very small (expensive) handle with a set of BA & metric sockets. The ratchet is beautiful to use as the clicks are so close & good to use in a tight space.
 
Daydream believer said:
A friend of mine built a Caterham kit car. The suppliers recommended the kit of tools to buy for the build. He bought along some ratchet spanners to assemble our new launch trailer & I could not help feeling how poor the ratchet part seemed. I was frightened to put any weight on the ratchet as I felt that I was going to smash the ratchet. I also noticed how far apart the ratchet mechanism was. I am surprised Caterham recommended it.
A decent set has a close spaced ratchet. I have a very small (expensive) handle with a set of BA & metric sockets. The ratchet is beautiful to use as the clicks are so close & good to use in a tight space.
Click to expand...
I have a 1/4" and 3/8th set of metric sockets by Teng they were obtained for my first boat. Excellent tools I also have a large 1/2" set of Britool AF and metr which must be over 80 years old as it was my uncles along with matching torque wrench. countless spanners open ended, ring, cranked all Britool or Snap On most bought for me by uncles and my farther over my early years. It's very rare I come across something that I don't have the correct tool for, if it's the case I will usually buy it or hire it. I don't loan my tools out but will usually go and do the job if someone is stuck.
 
nevis768 said:
Ratchet spanners are the dogs b+llocks for awkward or tight spaces
Click to expand...
They have their place, as do the stubby versions. I have both.

The ratchet mechanism on cheap ones can be very flimsy...mind your knuckles!
I wince when I see certain "TV Mechanics" (who should know better...they have ALL the gear) really heaving on ratchets. They're not meant for that, use a breaker bar!

However, you will too often find that the ratchet spanner heads (particularly the ones with hinges) are too bulky to access the targetted nut....back to sockets!
 
Fr J Hackett said:
Yes it only needs to be perfect once and it will perfectly round off the nut or bolt that you have butchered leaving you with a worse problem.
I come from a family of engineers and fitter turners who once owned an engineering works and small furnace. I was taught from a very early age that there is a correct tool for every job. When I managed a works I ensured that all the fitters had the necessary tools for their work and the specialist spanners and tools were available in the fitting shop such that no one would be faced with butchered bolts and nuts. They were told that adjustable spanners / shifters / movers were banned and would not be tolerated yet still one or two thought that they couldn't do without them. The first one I saw with one I took it off him took him and his implement into the fitting shop and cut it into 3 pieces with the gas axe. Then issued the warning that any subsequent attempt to use such a thing would result in the same action plus disciplinary action.
A boat and it's mechanical parts primarily engine, driveshaft and gearbox plus steering are all simple and as you say apart from fabricating a few spanners by shortening them there is nothing that cannot be worked on with the spanners you mention plus a decent range of sockets. There is absolutely no need for shit like in the OP to ever find its way near to a bolt or nut.
Rant over.
Click to expand...
Was your father a tool maker? 😉
 
Neeves said:
I, very recently, bought and received some of these 'things', they are multiple spanner kits. I've put shrink covers on the handles.

Mine came as a set of 4 and I bought the 'silver' one as an extra.

The top one is 5mm thick and is said to be made from chrome vanadium (but how would I know?).

I've not tried them in anger but they seem to do what it says on the box. Oddly they come in Imperial sizes.

The top 4 pieces cover the exact same sized nuts, or bolts, the long one allows more tension the short one works in tighter spaces (and the little black on is for smaller bolts).

The silver one is simply a variation on the theme.

They would 'make' a shackle key

They are as cheap as chips from Time and seem to offer an alternative to a heavy spanner set.

https://www.temu.com/ul/kuiper/un9....MI0q2v8-j1jQMVatMWBR2Slx82EAQYASABEgK89_D_BwE


View attachment 194857


Jonathan
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These were called alligator wrenches when they were invented in the very early 20th century. 1900s-1930s. I have several I inherited from a great uncle. One has a 1902 patent date.

I think they are terrible things. I display them with some other unique early failed wrench and tool designs I have collected.


Alligator wrenches
 
Fr J Hackett said:
There is no such thing as a good adjustable spanner let alone a really good one.
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My Father taught me as a youth to avoid adjustable spanners, but they have their uses.

They are OK for nuts or bolts which don't require much doing or undoing force.

And for sure they are 1000x better than the monstrosities in the OP, which do indeed look as if designed to ruin fasteners efficiently. Or -- shudder -- pliers.

But otherwise, there's little excuse not to use a proper spanner. I have a big bag of them as I'm a compulsive buyer of tools, but my latest favourites are in a roll of Wera "Joker" ratcheting spanners, here: Amazon.co.uk

These are positively luverly -- same size as a normal spanner, but with an ingenious ratcheting mechanism, and unusual geometry of the open end side which allows you to take strokes as little as 15 degrees. They come in a handy roll which is hardly more difficult to take with you to something you need to work on, than adjustable wrenches.
 
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