spindle wrench

[tom lucas]

I'm occasionally using a 1 1/4 to 1", 8 TPI spindle adapter. Anyone have a line on an inexpensive wrench to remove the adapter? TMI has one for holdfast adapters (A860) and it sells for a reasonable cost, but can't info on size of opening. Anyone know anything about this tool? Appreciate the help.

[Peter Christensen]

Take the adaptor to a store and find an open ended wrench to fit. Grind, belt sand, of have it machined by a friend to the thickness needed to fit the adaptor. Scouring garage sales, pawn shops etc are also good sources for a wrench. Or have I misunderstood the kind of tool you need?

[tom lucas]

New open end wrench to fit is like $50. I'm looking for a cheaper solution <$20 or so. I guess I could cut one from some scrap metal, and may go that route. But, I need one now; so cannot wait on an opportunity buy like a yard sale or CL.

Has anyone tried using a sink drain wrench?

[Dwight Rutherford]

I use an Armorline RP77321 plumbers slip nut wrench. Got it on Amazon for $13.

[tom lucas]

thanks Dwight. And that works well for you?

[Dwight Rutherford]

Yes it does.

[John K Jordan]

I'm occasionally using a 1 1/4 to 1", 8 TPI spindle adapter. Anyone have a line on an inexpensive wrench to remove the adapter? TMI has one for holdfast adapters (A860) and it sells for a reasonable cost, but can't info on size of opening. Anyone know anything about this tool? Appreciate the help.

What is the actual size needed? I use wrenches I bought from Tecknatool long ago to fit the Nova chuck adapters. They sell a "universal" one now which I don't like as much as the old one but it would do what you need IF it's the right size.

If you want, measure your adapter with calipers and I can check my wrenches. Would be pretty easy and almost free to make one if you have basic metalworking skill and tools.

JKJ

[Chris A Lawrence]

I made one out of 3/4 plywood. Haven't broke it yet.

[Robert Hayward]

Do a search for a "service wrench". They come in large sizes and are thin with a short handle. Just right for removing a stuck chuck. I bought a 1 1/2" one from one of the tool trucks that stop at mechanic shops. Was under $20 if I remember.

Harbor Freight sells an entire set for under $50 with a 20% coupon.

[John K Jordan]

Do a search for a "service wrench". They come in large sizes and are thin with a short handle. Just right for removing a stuck chuck. I bought a 1 1/2" one from one of the tool trucks that stop at mechanic shops. Was under $20 if I remember.

Harbor Freight sells an entire set for under $50 with a 20% coupon.

I'm glad to learn the name of this type of wrench.
Do you know the sizes on the Harbor Freight set? I don't see them on the web site.

JKJ

[tom lucas]

Thanks for the very special key words "service wrench". Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Grip-Jumbo-Service-Wrench-Set/dp/B00NUDPYQ4/ref=asc_df_B00NUDPYQ4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312003160272&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16959401636391583382&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008062&hvtargid=pla-451010150063&psc=1

It seems there a separate SAE and metric sets. I'm going to try the $13 adjustable drain wrench first. While clearly not a quality tool, might be all I need to break any size lathe nut. The homemade plywood one is also a good idea.

[david privett]

I use a 15 inch crescent wrench things have never been on so tight I could not get things apart, a lot of leverage with it so one must be careful.

[Clint Bach]

15 inch crescent wrench is the way I go. It's also good for a bunch of other things around the shop. Get one and have a universal problem solver.

[John K Jordan]

I use a 15 inch crescent wrench things have never been on so tight I could not get things apart, a lot of leverage with it so one must be careful.

You got that right - so handy! I don't think I'd want to use a big crescent wrench regularly at the lathe, though.

Around the farm there are large things to maintain. I keep crescent wrenches from tiny to one made with a 24" aluminum handle so it won't weigh so much. I have one pipe wrench even larger, and can't get by without sets of large box and open-ended wrenches and huge socket sets with 1" drive. You wouldn't believe the prices on some of these even at the "cheap" places!

And these are for my little 40 horse tractor and bobcat. Just for fun sometime, take a walk through a mechanics area in a BIG equipment dealer and look at their tools.

JKJ

[tom lucas]

15 inch crescent wrench is the way I go. It's also good for a bunch of other things around the shop. Get one and have a universal problem solver.
I have one and it's not big enough, short by 1 mm. You have to go to an 18", which I do not have.

[Alex Zeller]

I have some of the cheap "Pittsburgh" adjustable wrenches. The largest of the set is always in the tool box on the back of the tractor. It's now got plenty of dings and even a bow in the handle from when it had a chain wrapped around it to pull a stuck car out of a ditch.

[Brice Rogers]

I took a 1/4" plate of aluminum (probably 6061T6 but nothing special). It took me perhaps 5 minutes with a sabre saw and a file to complete my custom wrench. Works great. I've been using it for about 3 years. I think that I saw a picture where someone had used some of the 1/8" think steel plate that was part of the packing for their G0766.
402890

[Leo Van Der Loo]

That is the way I would go Brice, just a piece of steel plate 1/8 or 3/16 angle grinder and or saw to make one, would work just fine for a dedicated wrench like the OP needs, no need for an expensive large wrench, they do get very expensive for the larger sizes.

[Jenny Trice]

Channel lock pliers.

https://www.amazon.com/Bastex-Tongue-Groove-Straight-Cushion/dp/B073BLYC6K/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1549495884&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=channellock+pliers&psc=1

[tom lucas]

With channel locks it's too easy to chew it up with the teeth. One slip and it's bugered up for good. I have a big pair. I pulled them out and had a look at it. Decided not to do it. I got it loose this first time with a strap wrench, but it wasn't easy to get it to grip. Waiting on my sink wrench to arrive before I remove it again.

[Robert Hayward]

I'm glad to learn the name of this type of wrench.
Do you know the sizes on the Harbor Freight set? I don't see them on the web site.

JKJ

Sorry, currently only have access to the metric set.
402897

[Robert Hayward]

Thanks for the very special key words "service wrench". Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Grip-Jumbo-Service-Wrench-Set/dp/B00NUDPYQ4/ref=asc_df_B00NUDPYQ4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312003160272&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16959401636391583382&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008062&hvtargid=pla-451010150063&psc=1

It seems there a separate SAE and metric sets. I'm going to try the $13 adjustable drain wrench first. While clearly not a quality tool, might be all I need to break any size lathe nut. The homemade plywood one is also a good idea.

Your link is exactly what I was referring to. Less than 1/2 the money at Harbor Freight.

Bob

[Alex Zeller]

Are you using one of the plastic spindle washers? One came with my Vicmarc chuck. When I unscrew the chuck the adapter always stays with it.

[Richard Coers]

This might be an option.
https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-8WCB-WideAzz-Adjustable-Opening/dp/B001I70C34/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1549510056&sr=8-5&keywords=wide+adjustable+wrench

[Brice Rogers]

Alex Z., Yes, I use one of those thin plastic washers. For some reason when I unscrew my adapter, it seems to stay put on the end of the spindle.

Some people swear by them to keep the chuck or adapter from getting frozen onto the spindle. Some people swear AT them because they could add a little run out. But I haven't noticed that. Of course, getting sawdust into the "register" area does sometimes cause runout. So I try to keep the mating surfaces clean.

When I seat my chuck or adapter onto the spindle, I never slam them together. I think that helps the freezing or lock up issue.

[david privett]

earlier I posted a mistake I wrote that I used a 15 inch crescent wrench ERROR it is a 18 inch

[tom lucas]

Bob, yes the HF one's are cheaper, but they have 6 fewer wrenches and don't go big enough for my need. I need 46 mm and the HF set stops at 36 mm. Still, the HF sets are good for those that have a lot of big bolts to contend with where a crescent just won't do.

[Bill Dufour]

For smaller sizes a "tappet wrench". is the way to go they are longer and thinner then a standard wrench. made for adjusting valve tappets in a engine so max out around 3/4". Usefull for air and garden hose fittings that are too short on the hex portion.
Bil lD

[Ron Page]

I made mine out of oak. Gave it a little extra wood around the opening. Works like a charm.

ron

[Kyle Iwamoto]

I use a vintage adjustable "ford" wrench. They have thinner jaws than a "crescent" wrench, and opens really big for it's small size. I'm sure you can find them in garage sales or Craigs list for cheap. I got mine "free" when I bought a tool box of old used tools. Just wanted the tool box. Most tools got tossed out. New ford wrenches are pricey.

[Jay Mullins]

I use an adjustable wrench (cresent wrench style ). inexpensive wrench from HF. Works every time, don't over engineer it.

[tom lucas]

I use an adjustable wrench (cresent wrench style ). inexpensive wrench from HF. Works every time, don't over engineer it.

Hardly over engineering it. I would need an 18" crescent wrench. $27 for a HF one delivered to my door. I suspect it would also be too wide to fit the flat spot, because my 15" one is. The sink drain wrench, delivered to my door for $13, works perfectly. Problem solved with no engineering needed.