Tightening a 100mm nut

[Wandering Star]

Anyone have any bright ideas for tightening the plastic locking nut on a skin fitting? I thought a plumbers immersion heater element spanner would fit but it’s 87mm so I’m stuffed. The only 100mm spanner’s I can find on the internet are priced in the hundreds of pounds! Must be a cheaper option - it’s just identifying it!

 

[Wansworth]

There are grips that have wide opening jaws quite common ,probably plumberskit

 

[V1701]

Strap wrench or make your own spanner from ply...

 

[Fr J Hackett]

If you have room, two pieces of timber through drilled at each end then some studding bolts and washers to make an improvised clamp which can be placed over the nut and used to turn and tighten it as it shouldn't being plastic require too much tightening.
You will need to size the timber according to space available and dimensions / thickness of the nut.

 

[Norman_E]

Several options:
These 12" Oil Filter Pliers Adjustable Wrench Mechanics Tool Oil Engine Filter Removal | eBay
Or these if access is difficult Draper 77592 Oil Filter Removal Tool Chain Wrench 1/2" 24mm 130mm Capacity 5010559775927 | eBay

 

[Bodach na mara]

There are grips that have wide opening jaws quite common ,probably plumberskit

Slip-joint pliers.

 

[penberth3]

Anyone have any bright ideas for tightening the plastic locking nut on a skin fitting? I thought a plumbers immersion heater element spanner would fit but it’s 87mm so I’m stuffed. The only 100mm spanner’s I can find on the internet are priced in the hundreds of pounds! Must be a cheaper option - it’s just identifying it!

Plenty of options, or cut your own spanner out of a piece of steel, 3-4mm should be OK.

 

[VicS]

Anyone have any bright ideas for tightening the plastic locking nut on a skin fitting? I thought a plumbers immersion heater element spanner would fit but it’s 87mm so I’m stuffed. The only 100mm spanner’s I can find on the internet are priced in the hundreds of pounds! Must be a cheaper option - it’s just identifying it!

+1 for the suggestion of a spanner made from ply

.

 

[Pye_End]

Big adjustables:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sashtech-W...cphy=9045057&hvtargid=pla-1192383819580&psc=1

 

[Boater Sam]

Tap it round with a piece of wood and a hammer.

 

[Neeves]

Don't waste your money.

Go to your nearest store specialising in kitchen/catering equipment and they have devices to open large jars (jam jars). We have one (unbranded), it measures 100mm, exactly. They are usually cheap. If you use it carefully you can re-pack it and give it to some worthy individual as a Christmas present

Jonathan

 

[Lightwave395]

I bought one of these, cheap and made of aluminium but it tightened the new trudesign skin fitting nuts well

Adjustable Spanner Wrench Tool Wide Jaw Large Hand Nut Opening 16-68MM Steel Key | eBay

 

[Wandering Star]

Thanks for all the ideas & suggestions which provided food for thought. I had bought the immersion heater element spanner for sub £4 from Screwfix and motivated by the the above posts I’m off to the boat now to butcher the spanner with my angle grinder to make it a) open ended and b) 100mm wide. It wouldn’t have crossed my mind to do this without the suggestions above even though it’s a fairly obvious solution!

And I do have several sailing friends, one of whom I’m sure will appreciate the tool as a Christmas present.

 

[Bouba]

If the pipe wrench won’t work (they have a lot of play in them)...this is what I did for a similar job that I needed a precision fit (getting the element out of the immersion heater)....



nowadays I won’t be without this homemade tool...by shear luck it’s also the perfect tool to remove and tightening the plastic screw lid on the black water tank....something that I do on a regular basis and used to be a pig of a job

 

[Fr J Hackett]

If the pipe wrench won’t work (they have a lot of play in them)...this is what I did for a similar job that I needed a precision fit (getting the element out of the immersion heater)....



nowadays I won’t be without this homemade tool...by shear luck it’s also the perfect tool to remove and tightening the plastic screw lid on the black water tank....something that I do on a regular basis and used to be a pig of a job

Frankinspanner

 

[Bouba]

Frankinspanner

It’s just a monkey wrench....without the monkey

 

[Fr J Hackett]

It’s just a monkey wrench....without the monkey

I wouldn't be so sure about that ?

 

[Plum]

Anyone have any bright ideas for tightening the plastic locking nut on a skin fitting? I thought a plumbers immersion heater element spanner would fit but it’s 87mm so I’m stuffed. The only 100mm spanner’s I can find on the internet are priced in the hundreds of pounds! Must be a cheaper option - it’s just identifying it!

This is my solution. A toolmakers clamp with a1/2 inch square hole. Fits all my skin fitting nuts and with an extension bar and universal joint can be used in some tight spaces.
www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Neeves]

This is my solution. A toolmakers clamp with a1/2 inch square hole. Fits all my skin fitting nuts and with an extension bar and universal joint can be used in some tight spaces.View attachment 141823
www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

Magic.

I really like this idea.

Two bits of steel, offcuts . Two bolts with appropriate nuts, a big tap and a square hole.

I'd stick with mild steel, use HT bolts, available from any hardware store - and keep oiled.

Easy

 

[Bouba]

The square hole might take some effort