Spanner kits

Mister E said:
Not if is properly rusted with bits flaking of.
As in it has been in the elements for years not new in a factory.
Click to expand...
Nah if a fitted hexagon socket fits over it then it will grip it better than a set of mole grips, I have trouble believing your scenario.
 
Mister E said:
Not if is properly rusted with bits flaking of.
As in it has been in the elements for years not new in a factory.
Click to expand...
I have to agree with Mister E. Over the years there have been a few occasions when ‘Mole’ grips have saved the day for me. They’re always the last resort but now and then - usually when some idiot has rounded a nut using the sort of tool in the OP - they’re a tool worth having.
 
I was issued with Molegrips in September 1971. I vividly remember the Training Manager saying “there will almost always be a better tool, consider these as a last resort”

Today, almost 54 years later they are still unused, in their box, wrapped in original VPI paper.

Horrid things.
 
My wife each year installs her irrigation systems and timers, she has purchased a pair of mole grips and two plumbers water pump pipe wrench / pliers. Each year she brings me some butchered fittings usually plastic but sometimes brass reluctantly asking me to undo them which is usually accomplished destructively. I have repeatedly asked her to use some waterproof grease when assembling and to use some correctly sized spanners, alas my requests fall on deaf ears, this year was no different.
 
Ok a boat example.
The transom mount bracket for outboard steering is in two parts with a stud and nut to grip the bracket to the teleflex type cable.
The stud is made from decent steel, the nut is made from god knows what.
The nut rusts and lumps flake off when you put the correct size 13mm six point socket on it the socket then will not turn the not but just round it completely.
The only tool that will remove such a rusted nut is one that has Teath that grip into what is left of the steel to turn it.
The alternative is to cut the bracket up and risk damage to the cable.

I really don't care if this is believed or not.
 
Fr J Hackett said:
My wife each year installs her irrigation systems and timers, she has purchased a pair of mole grips and two plumbers water pump pipe wrench / pliers. Each year she brings me some butchered fittings usually plastic but sometimes brass reluctantly asking me to undo them which is usually accomplished destructively. I have repeatedly asked her to use some waterproof grease when assembling and to use some correctly sized spanners, alas my requests fall on deaf ears, this year was no different.
Click to expand...
Manufacturers don't put grease on stuff as it cuts their profits. The accountants wouldn't allow it.
 
That is besides the point these things don't have rust proper protection when new.
Plus Manufacturers don't stipulate applying stuff on installation.
 
Fr J Hackett said:
My wife each year installs her irrigation systems and timers, she has purchased a pair of mole grips and two plumbers water pump pipe wrench / pliers. Each year she brings me some butchered fittings usually plastic but sometimes brass reluctantly asking me to undo them which is usually accomplished destructively. I have repeatedly asked her to use some waterproof grease when assembling and to use some correctly sized spanners, alas my requests fall on deaf ears, this year was no different.
Click to expand...
I'd guess you were fairly new to the marriage game.

From my experience with two wives, spanning many decades, I can tell you that when they make a mess of some mechanical job it is usually deliberate, and an indication that they want you to do it.

If I had a pound for every time I'd exclaimed:"Oh for God's sake, get out of the way and let me do it!" I'm sure I'd be a rich man.
 
Last edited:
Poignard said:
I'd guess you were fairly new to the marriage game.

From my experience with two wives, spanning many decades, I can tell you that when they make a mess of some mechanical job it is usually deliberate, and an indication that they want you to do it.

If I had a pound for every time I'd exclaimed:"Oh for God's sake, get out of the way and let me do it!" I'm sure I'd be a rich man.
Click to expand...
No an old hand as they say, despite offering to do all the "mechanical " bits she persists. I have to keep an eye on her as she like the cats continuously tries to get into my workshop, curiosity is their motivation, my tools is hers.
 
thinwater said:
I'm surprised Vice-Grips (and the UK knock-off Mole Grips) didn't come up. The wrong tool for most jobs, and the right tool for some.

My most common use for vice grips? Totally unrelated to wrenching. Ground clamp when welding smaller parts with some rust or paint; the jaws bite through and give a very good ground that will not slip when you reposition them to weld the back side. Very handy. After attaching the Vice-Grip you slap the main ground clamp onto the handle.
Click to expand...

My most common 10-inch Vise-Grip job - opening 200 litre drums. Use as pliers to rip off the tin seal, fixed jaw opens the large and small plugs. 2nd most common job, pulling out split pins. I found it useful for many other things as well.

I think most of us agree the OP's tools aren't very good. If I wanted something "universal" I'd go for these that fit inch, metric, male torx etc. Warning, they're not cheap!


1750441473418.png
 
As an example a set of six point combination spanners from Britool is nearly twice the price compared to 12 point from them.
First that came up is a search.
 
Mister E said:
As an example a set of six point combination spanners from Britool is nearly twice the price compared to 12 point from them.
First that came up is a search.
Click to expand...
Fortunately mine are over 50 years old and still going strong, what an investment they have been. Buy once. Buy early. Buy the best you can afford.
 
Fr J Hackett said:
Fortunately mine are over 50 years old and still going strong, what an investment they have been. Buy once. Buy early. Buy the best you can afford.
Click to expand...
My af and Whitworth ones are the same age, some are even older.
Some of the stuff I work on is even older still.
Farmers tend to grip their pockets when I tell them the price of the replacement spanners and sockets.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top