Where can I find a thin wall M5 (8mm) box spanner?

N

NPMR

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 Feb 2006
Messages
2,295
Location
Cornwall
Visit site
I have redesigned the way the two sides of the engine control unit are held together but as the 'web' on the old design was too thin I could not open out the hole (in which a nut now sits) to take a standard socket spanner. It needs a thin one.

So far mr Google has failed me. Any ideas
 
Last edited:
If you have a grinder, it may be easier/quicker to adapt a socket. I had to do this to fit an Alfa hub nut. By the time you have searched around, you could have the job finished.
 
What you really need is an old fashioned box spanner - you can't get more thin walled than that. Unfortunately they seem to have disappeared - I bought one about 15 years ago from the late lamented Martin and Newby shop in Ipswich. I was once told by my marine engineer guru that Snap On make the best and slimmest sockets but are really aimed at the garage trade and are elusive as far as amateurs are concerned. That advice is probably 10 years old so maybe they are more accessible now.
 
reeac said:
What you really need is an old fashioned box spanner - you can't get more thin walled than that. Unfortunately they seem to have disappeared - I bought one about 15 years ago from the late lamented Martin and Newby shop in Ipswich. I was once told by my marine engineer guru that Snap On make the best and slimmest sockets but are really aimed at the garage trade and are elusive as far as amateurs are concerned. That advice is probably 10 years old so maybe they are more accessible now.
Click to expand...

How about changing the fastenings to SS allen cap screws& tighten from one side with allen key

cheers jim
 
bristoljim said:
How about changing the fastenings to SS allen cap screws& tighten from one side with allen key

cheers jim
Click to expand...

Thanks Jim,

But using Allen keys was the system that a) corroded, through poor design and b) took me 2 days of bashing and cajoling to break open. Not wildly keen to go back to it. I can see where the original designer got his idea from though, as on the face of it, it looks sensible.
 
NPMR said:
Thanks Jim,

But using Allen keys was the system that a) corroded, through poor design and b) took me 2 days of bashing and cajoling to break open. Not wildly keen to go back to it. I can see where the original designer got his idea from though, as on the face of it, it looks sensible.
Click to expand...

How does the head style of the bolt affect its corrosion characteristics?
 
reeac said:
What you really need is an old fashioned box spanner - you can't get more thin walled than that. Unfortunately they seem to have disappeared - I bought one about 15 years ago from the late lamented Martin and Newby shop in Ipswich. I was once told by my marine engineer guru that Snap On make the best and slimmest sockets but are really aimed at the garage trade and are elusive as far as amateurs are concerned. That advice is probably 10 years old so maybe they are more accessible now.
Click to expand...

Replying to myself ......seems that you CAN get box spanners . look at Amazon. You can get a metric set for under a tenner. My original comment is out of date.
 
Just tried eBay. About a fiver for a set, going up to £8 or so if you want them in a fancy toolroll.

Seems that plumbers use them for monobloc taps, so a plumbers' outlet might be good for them.
 
The deep 1/4 drive sockets I have are quite thin walled, IIRC they were from Machine Mart or Halfords....
Nut drivers, possibly 1/4 hex drive type another possibility?
If it's stainless in alloy, use lots of copper grease at least!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top