Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2000 13:04:15 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@HIWAAY.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@HIWAAY.NET>
Subject: Re: Axle Rebuild Notes & Wrenches
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Years ago when I first stared out in the aviation mechanic trades, I was given a
list of recommended tools o acquire for my aviation tool box. One was called a
"Ford wrench". It looked much like a pipe wrench but was made so the jaws were
smooth and always parallel. The parts were more precision made than those of a
pipe wrench, and there fore the adjustments were smooth.
John Rodgers
"88GL Driver
Rico Sapolich wrote:
> In a message dated 1/27/00 11:10:48 PM, revtek@GREENNET.NET writes:
>
> << big old plumbing type wrench (when you don't have
> the right big socket and the axle has to come off and you have a six
> foot pipe, it comes off with minimal damage to the nut (a few teeth
> marks >>
>
> An ideal tool for this circumstance is one that is often overlooked because
> it seems to be an anachronism: the monkey wrench. For those not versed in
> mechanical antiquities, a monkey wrench is like an adjustable Stillson pipe
> wrench with jaws which are parallel and smooth. It was designed when men
> were men and nuts were big and square.
>
> I once found an 18" one at a yard sale for 2 bucks. It was branded Armstrong
> so I bought it as sort of a curiosity not knowing exactly for what I would
> use it. When I had a loose axle nut and had to wait for one of those
> slugging wrenches, I tried the monkey wrench. It worked great. One thing,
> before I used it I took the time to remove the evidence of some of the sins
> this fine tool had suffered. This amounted to straightening the shank
> (cheater bars have been around since the first threaded connection) and
> truing the jaw surfaces. These tools are bulky but, I would not hesitate to
> use one anywhere it fits. There is a subtlety in the design of the one I
> have that causes the jaws to grip tighter with increasing torque. A Crescent
> wrench does not even come close to performing as well.
>
> So, think again when you see a box of grimy tools at the flea market. The
> shame of it is that a lot of excellent tools are lining the dens of tool
> collectors instead of living a life of honor in a toolbox.
>
> Rich
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