OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Collectables Spanners Wenches and Manuals

Morning,
I was trying to identify a bunch of spanners I was given...... Might just put them in the VE Commodore tool box...
Came across this old mower manuals. Someone might just find one they want..... for a price of course. Maybe something for CyberJack...

cheers
speedy

Hi speedy,
of little use anywhere on a VE Commodore, they will only gather dust on the bottom of the toolbox

Hi Norm,

I'd say Speedy was "takin the piss", ...................just a little.

Cheers,
BB.

Hi speedy,Norm BB and all,

When I empty my trailer of scrap metal at the scrap yard I always see old spanners like in the image at the top
just lying on the ground but I don't pick them up ,unless it's a Victa spark plug tool ,last time I was emptying
the trailer there were these two pullers on the ground so I naturally took them home but I am guilty of throwing
out old spanners like the ones above when buying a toolbox from a swap meet .

Cheers
Max.

Basically those sort of spanners are worthless compared to genuine Australian made Sidchrome.

Cheers,
BB.

Every so often I need a thin spanner to get in somewhere, might even have to grind one to fit a certain nut, I wouldn't be throwing them out, I keep all those odd spanners in a drawer just for that unexpected problem situation. Often get difficult things working on old Brit bikes.
Max,
Good find, they look new compared to my poor old pullers that have worked so hard over the years

Norm so you are guilty too of tool mods. I got some pretty weird looking ones but they are time savers.

I got several cheap Chinese made tools that I modify when I need a service wrench to get in an extra tight place. I also design some my own tools at time. Just an electric PTO double D holding tool so torque the retainer screw. Currently done in aluminum but may need redo in steel. Currently set up for 1-3/8 and 1-1/2 double D's.

Here is another tool I had made as the machinist next door has access to the needed tools to do it. It is a chain brake reset tool for Husqvarna saws. Funny I was getting a lot these chain brakes where the customer would remove them without reset the brake but since I had the tool made I have only seen a couple. Sounds just like my luck.

AVB, over here husky now put a chain brake reset tool cut outs on the bar nut remover side of the supplied screw driver plug spanner (scrench)

Don't know how long they have done it for

Maybe they pickup on the ones I was making out the screnches here 5-7 yrs ago. They just weren't all that strong or provided enough torque with them only having 6" lever that could eat up your hand it you slipped off. They also want spread apart when loosing over tight bar nuts. Of course Husqvarna may have strength the area now.

The impact socket with a pull bar works with less effort on my part. Besides there is a lot metal to metal contact and safer to use especially on those worn chain brakes that are tough to reset off the saw.

AVB, I made this socket many years ago to fit the crank nut on the Enfield twin motors, it is the only one we have in the club and it is borrowed quite often. It is pretty rough but it does the job perfectly and that is all that matters

Hopefully you charge a deposit on it. Here I need to or the items never returns if ever loan one my custom tools but I don't like to as some are hard to remake.

As you I have made some various tools that are needed but not available tools as it just makes the work easier to do. I currently working on a new spring tool in my head just haven't started the physical making of it yet but of course there will probably changes as a working design is created.

Hi everyone,
years ago, I invested in these. They are a special design that grip by the sides and not the corners. Multihex ring spanners and sockets use this principal these days.
These single hex ones are designed to work on both metric and imperial fasteners which why they have the name Metrinch. Sometimes they can even fit the next size down.

Funny thing is I often just use my old regular sockets and spanners instead of getting these out.

These are Metrinch tools aren't they ? I've got a combination spanner set of these and are my go to's when everything Sidchrome I own fails.

Yep all Metrinch B_B.
I got my first one as a single 19mm/3/4 combo spanner when I needed one for a one off job and was immediately impressed with this innovation. I bought it in BBC Hardware days in the 1990s and still use it regularly to this day (see picture).

I bought a 1/4" dr, 3/8" dr, 1/2" dr sets as well as the premium polished finish combo spanner set on special order from Bunnings through the local distributor Tridon 15 years ago. The spanners and sockets are fine, but the ratchet handles, particularly the 3/8 one are not the best. I've actually replaced the 3/8 one with a Stanley I found on the road(!) and the 1/2" handle with a better one from Supatool premium I got on the cheap at Kmart on clearance. Supatooll Premium were actually made by the same company who make Kinchrome.

Oh that is the flank drive version as compare to the older corner drive wrenches.

But there are several variates of wrench design like the v and slip open end but I do like the ratchet design though I am a little afraid to do high torque applications with them.

Oh I do stop for those lost road tools too. Some are very nice to have.

A set of reversible ratchet spanners. I have encountered a situation where the one way almost became trapped!
A body repair shop left a 13mm ratchet spanner in my engine bay. I still have it.

There second pic shows my motley "treat it any old how" collection. I prefer using them!

Hi MF,

This is the set I've had for well over 20 years now.

Right beside the set of timing chains the Alloytec V6's are notorious for 😂😂

I ordered that set but some of the spanners had unacceptable imperfections in the forging so I returned then and ordered the premium polished set in a hard case and was very pleased with them. If not for the terrible quality of the ones I got, I would have kept those. My lone 19mm is faultless.

I like how well you've kept them.

[quote= I like how well you've kept them.[/quote]


Yep, I keep all my tools like that, I've spent lots over the years on buying Sidchrome Australian made units and am not in a position to replace any of them as the prices just keep on heading skyways and when I'm gone the kids have either got themselves some damm good tools or an investment to make some decent money by selling them all.

Cheers,
BB.

I clean my quality tools with a rag before I put them away. I have a tool cleaning spray I got from Bunnings years ago made by the WD40 company. It has an interesting smell.

I usually give my tools a clean every 10 years or so, but maybe that is stretching the truth a bit.

Doesn't the grit wear away the faces of the tool where it grips? That's my main reason I clean them after each use. There is supposed to be a thin layer of hard steel before it becomes prone to wear.

Never noticed MF and I guess it is a bit late for me to find out and if something I have wears out I know it has well and truly earned its keep because all my tools get a good workout. Not many tools I have bought over the years have not paid for themselves many times over. Some tools I have bought over the years for one particular job but I always figure the cost of the tool against what money I can save by having that tool.

You could sell those Metrinch metal tools for at least the nominal price you paid for them -they look new including the packaging. Do they get much use??
Where did you buy them?

Just makes sense to cleanup you tools instead having to reach into a tool box full dirty grease. Unless you like reaching to used oil pans noodling (hand fishing) for tools.

I agree AVB, I heave plenty of chances to get my hands dirty after grabbing the tools.

If my tools get dumped in oil they get cleaned but I try to avoid that happening

The set I have were bought for me by my brother-in-law when he worked for an Adelaide Distributorship called "A.E.Bakers", which no longer exist.

Yes they have had minimal use as they are a last port of call tool for when my Sidchrome, Metric, AF, BSW, BS, or W stuff didn't do the job.

These stay in the lower drawer of my Roller Cabinet, but mentioned all of my tools are looked after much the same, even my hammers lead a very sheltered life.

Cheers,
BB.

I bought mine as primary tools. Funny enough, when I went to undo some tiny nuts off a speaker, non of the Metrinch 14"dr sockets would do it. It took an AF from my el cheapo $8.00 1/4/3/8 combination set to do it.
Another time the Metrinch let me down again with a badly rounded 3/8 bolt on a Victa. It took one of my rarely used Super Wrench set to undo it successfully. You remember that topic don't you?

Very last choice spanner ?????...................... a set of vice grips.

Don't know about that as I find them used all over the place. It seems to be whenever the one trying to do repairs don't have the right they reach for the vise grips. I have replaced no telling how many screws on account of this.

Here I do take good care of my tools as they are my living. I however do break some every so often as they do eventually wear out.

They have gotten me out of trouble many many times -oh BTW my dad found my first vice grips on the road about 30 years ago and I still have them.
They do a number on screw heads though, that's for sure. You usually can't use them again after turning to the VG.
Here's some more of my metal tools. The offset ring spanners I bought at Aldi for $10 (made in India) and the 1/4 dr metric socket and bit set $24.00 at Aldi. Very well made Taiwan made set. Both reside in the boot of my car.

When I refer to using a set of Vice Grips as a last resort, I must stress whatever fastener I use it on is already buggered by a previous operator and is going to be replaced after it is finally removed.

I always find myself using VG's on stuff that others have butchered previously.

Cheers,
BB.

PS. MF, I'm a Sidchrome / Snap-On kinda guy.

BB, That what all us good techs prefer to do I would think. Here they see more use than they need to be, but those DIYers keep using the wrong tools. Even when they use they just don't know how shock screw to loosen it, so they just mess it up, especially the cross point screws. The tool here that cops the most wear and damage is my brass hammer, but it is meant to get damaged.

I reckon after 30 yrs I should buy some new vise grips.

Hi AVB,

I can't remember the last time I used a steel headed hammer. I'm either using a Copper faced or plastic assembly hammer for most things as there's no damage done to the product and the hammer faces are easily replaceable as that's what they are designed to have done.

Cheers,
BB.

Most of my problems are getting things a part with out damage which why the 2 lb brass hammer gets a workout. I do consider the hammer expendable.

Once I get things a part enough then its the other pullers and presses that get used. I didn't think the 12 ton press would get that much use but it does. My biggest there is having the right anvils for the press. Most are shop made ones due the type work I need to do.

Same here AVB when I bought my 12 ton press many years ago, I thought I was only going to use it for pressing apart and pressing crankshafts back together but it gets very regular use and I couldn't operate without it these days

A press is a must nowadays. Gathering all the toys that go with a press which takes time to gather is the hard part. I've got a bucket full of pipe off cuts that continue to get me out of the proverbial along with many press plates from various Servex Presses that I've had association with over the years.

Cheers,
BB.

BB, For me it seems that I never have a particular arbor I need. Unlike you I don't yet have a bucket of pipe off cuts, all I got is the press and the two press plates that came with. Everything else is shop made as almost everything around here is automotive related and not easily converted to a small engine shop needs or at least not for my needs.

Now of course I do use a lot my deep well impact sockets for the smaller stuff but there still bearings that are more picky. I usually use an old bearing that is lightly ground so it doesn't stick while pressing in a new bearing if I having to press the outer bearing part in place. Now I have one that I had made for changing idler pulley standoff bushings as have fewer different idlers just they have different standoffs.

But I agree it does takes time to find the right one even when you got them stored one particular place. I got one tool cabinet dedicated just for this which makes it a little easier.

I am thinking about a metal lathe as I am getting to be a pest for the local machinist on some my projects. Besides I kinda want to keep some my designs secret from the local competing shops.

I have had my small lathe for over 40 years, I couldn't do this sort of work without it, always having to make up bushes, turn things down. I often think I would like a bigger one but I don't think I can justify the expense with the type of work I am doing and the years I have left doing what I am doing. Bit of a catch22
MF, I doubt you will find any BSF threads on any mowers, the odd one may turn up on some old English cylinder mower, much better chance on old Brit bikes but don't go out and buy one so you can use that die.

I have been considering a small milling version myself, just haven't had the funds to spare as other tool needs keeps eating into funds saved for it.

The milling version can do both turnings plus flat and other types of milling.

I would love a mill but at my age I can't justify getting one now, I don't have enough of that sort of work, but would be a great toy to play with.
As for the saw, I'm not really sure what it was that fixed it, just a combination of things not working properly

That is one of the things about 2 cycles. They might as simple looking as can be but everything got be working together to be right. Often times here it is multiple problems mainly due to lack of maintenance or the fact they have been sitting for years without use. Most of the handheld usually comes with when they won't start then I find multitude of problems.

With four cycles it not that way. A lot easier to pin point problems but they can be a pain in the rear at times.

So glad that I trained myself on 2 cycle by getting a whole load broken ones from another shop with lots of time and reading I manage to fix over half of them. But boy taking all day to fix one was not profitable but i now got it with experience and troubleshooting skills down to under an hour on most of them. Some are just not fixable any more due OEM changes to short blocks vs a PNC kit as it cost as much as a new unit to repair them.

I did the same thing AVB, started with a $10 1980's line trimmer with points and float carby (took days to get it going), then a 31cc ryobi (quicker), then a talon (would have been quicker if not for a fake new NGK I didn't know about), then a series of newer and older ryobis and homelites, have got most for free, paid up to $15 for good ones. Can usually can get it done under 1 hour.

Have been fixing some MTD/Yard Machines 31cc brushcutters this week - 1 with bull handle, the other J handle - rip apart carby, new carb kit, new lines, rip gear head apart, clean and regrease, regrease flex cable, and other little things and they are going. 1 free, the other $10 at the tip.

Only got burnt 2 times with the 2 stroke handhelds - a $15 mcculloch tm251 (Weedeater featherlite) which ended up having insufficient compression (had 20 odd ml of oil squirted down the plug hole to make it seem alright)

and a homelite mighty lite leaf blower (had a slipped pull cord spring with only 1 ft of retractable rope - I was standing out in the open looking at it at the recycling centre and out of no where there was this god almighty lightning bolt very close by followed by deafening thunder - ran undercover and bought it as it looked good and I didn't feel like putting it back). Straight fueled only paid $5 so no great loss.

That being said, the mac ended up giving its coil and throttle lever to my mates one, and the homelites carby and filter housing went onto another mates one (his had the rotochoke without air filter which is just asking for dirt ingestion).

Hey Speedy,


I'm starting to wonder what "Wenches" has got to do with this thread ?


Below is my understanding of a "Wrench Wench".

Yes I wondered why no one picked it up earlier....
cheers
speedy

Hawhawhaw!! Not suggestive at all.

Something to be said about brown/hazel eyes with blonde hair.

That is because I allow for misspelling a lot considering the users I deal with on various forums. I didn't even catch the misspelling as I normally use the quick reply feature.

Besides considering my age I am no longer interested in Wenches. Now 40 yrs ago it was different.