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Date:         Sat, 5 Feb 2000 12:34:51 -0800
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

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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