One Wrench Fits All

[alamogunr]

One of my biggest gripes is all the different size lock rings, clamp nuts, any thing that has a hex shape and must be turned. I'm somewhat OCD about not chewing up things with a pair of channellocks.

What is available that covers most of the sizes we encounter with different brands of reloading/casting equipment?

[Jim]

I keep one of THESE (http://www.wttool.com/index/page/product/product_id/19383/name/10+Way+Welder+s+Wrench+WT) on my bench. Comes in real handy.

[ilcop22]

I keep a couple pair of vice grips handy, and assorted crescent wrenches.

[theperfessor]

Don't know if this if this is of any interest since its a special purpose tool but I sell a handy little hex wrench that fits the die retention nut on Lyman (7/8") and RCBS (15/16") lubers. Easy to use and prevents cross threading those fine thread nuts.

[DCM]

I keep one of THESE (http://www.wttool.com/index/page/product/product_id/19383/name/10+Way+Welder+s+Wrench+WT) on my bench. Comes in real handy.

Never thought of using that.

Thanks for the tip!!

[462]

I've found Lyman's wrench to be quite useful.

[runfiverun]

3/4,7/8,1/2,7/16th's
does about 90% of things.
i have a lag screw with all these sizes hanging on it right withn arms reach of my presses.
dillon uses 1" but sells a wrench cheap enough.
i keep one and set of allen wrenches right on the back of one of the presses so i have all the tools needed to fix,adjust, or make a caliber swap over right there.
and a set of chanell locks handy for when i lock down a die ring in a press i can pop it loose.

[mdi]

Having been a mechanic/repair type guy for mebbe 50 years, I had to laugh at the first post. In the trades we used Adjustable Spanner Wrenches (aka Crescent Wrench), either metric or SAE. :Bright idea::kidding:

[Longwood]

Having been a mechanic/repair type guy for mebbe 50 years, I had to laugh at the first post. In the trades we used Adjustable Spanner Wrenches (aka Crescent Wrench), either metric or SAE. :Bright idea::kidding:

I have been a mechanic, welder, machinist for more than 50.
I bet you even have some "Left handed" ones.:bigsmyl2:
Plier marks on the outside of dies or retaining nuts, bother me not.
Shiny new tools with a fresh new paint job, on a perfectly clean and organized bench, make me one heck of a lot more nervous.

[alamogunr]

Having been a mechanic/repair type guy for mebbe 50 years, I had to laugh at the first post. In the trades we used Adjustable Spanner Wrenches (aka Crescent Wrench), either metric or SAE. :Bright idea::kidding:

I thought about that but all mine are Whitworth sizes.:kidding::kidding:

Seriously though, I think the welders wrench was more along what I was thinking about. I could probably file some openings out to fit some that are not the size I need. As cheap as they are, I could buy 2.

[KYCaster]

Run down to your local plumbing wholesaler (Lowe's is not a plumbing wholesaler) and ask for smooth jaw Channellocks.

Jerry

[Longwood]

(Lowe's is not a plumbing wholesaler)

Jerry

I went to Home Depot yesterday then Lowe's.
Left both pissed off.

When was it that they changed to "Girl stores"?

[dpaultx]

Those small plastic/rubber strap wrenches come in real handy for loosening things that have become a bit too "snug" without leaving any tool marks.

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/1501539_lg.jpg http://www.micro-machine-shop.com/ball_turn_finished_2.jpg

They're cheap enough that you can have several of them laying around the shop/bench.

Doug

[Pavogrande]

I suppose these are no longer available, but i have used "cannon plug" pliers on dies and die nuts for 50 + years --
I liberated them from USN custody -
For the youngers, "cannon plug" pliers are similar to channel lock or water pump pliers, but have curvered hard rubber covered jaw.
my tuppence

[1hole]

I went to Home Depot yesterday then Lowe's. Left both pissed off. When was it that they changed to "Girl stores"?

Started when TV 'do it yourself' shows encouraged women to do it themselves. And when so many males became "girly men" with less DIY, and tool skills in general, than many women; we get a lot of them on the web.

There's no valid reason to use a wrench to lock dies into a press, hand tight is plenty tight. That's why so many lock rings have long been knurled.

[mwk1975]

My Lowe's sells these:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_19554-943-06010_0__?Ntt=smooth+jaw+pliers&productId=1056555&rpp=32

and these also:
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=248566-943-06012&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3284786&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

[Longwood]

My Lowe's sells these:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_19554-943-06010_0__?Ntt=smooth+jaw+pliers&productId=1056555&rpp=32

and these also:
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=248566-943-06012&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3284786&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

Thanks
Those were not what I was looking for.
I had a set for years but they disapeared.
I was looking for a new seal washer for this.
Nice valve with a lot of flow but they take a special rubber washer and they not only do not carry them, they also don't carry a 1/8" piece of neoprene to make one with.
They had some puny neoprene washers but they are as thin as plastic wrap. Worthless. I guess they keep the bins full.
I only have a small piece of neoprene that I bought long ago at a REAL hardware store.

Soooo,,, I did the same as last time. I bought a new valve and took the seal out of it.
I shall return what is left of the valve in two pieces on my next trip and get my money back.

I like to go in now and again because I worked there for a year to buy a new truck and still know a few people that work there.

PS
Barr Lumber had a piece of neoprene so I bought a piece from them on my way home.

[mold maker]

The new female DIY crowd sure has improved the senery at the hardware box stores. I often forget what I went for, but that gives me a reason to go back.

[Artful]

The new female DIY crowd sure has improved the senery at the hardware box stores. I often forget what I went for, but that gives me a reason to go back.

Well don't go to Walmart - you'll apt to want to pluck your eyeballs out. :shock:

http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/realthinktank/m7fTGprn1S2ziO9L3IKntdYG8tFVSrvBS8sybbUYM3ml04cF3d 1aMc9sHrji/7image.jpg.scaled.500.jpg
http://i.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/topic-frontend/0/6/0/83060_v1.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R85tFOhycSQ/TY8wumroHmI/AAAAAAAAAcI/JH8VK0ogWio/s1600/ws3.jpg

And if these are any of my fellow Boolliteer's I apologize in advance.

[paul h]

One of my biggest gripes is all the different size lock rings, clamp nuts, any thing that has a hex shape and must be turned. I'm somewhat OCD about not chewing up things with a pair of channellocks.

What is available that covers most of the sizes we encounter with different brands of reloading/casting equipment?

Forster co-ax. No need to use a wrench as dies slide in and out, and are allowed to "float" to self align to the case. Yes, they are expensive. But if you've ever considered upgrading your single stage press, you'll never regret getting a co-ax.

[Uncle Grinch]

Well don't go to Walmart - you'll apt to want to pluck your eyeballs out. :shock:

http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/realthinktank/m7fTGprn1S2ziO9L3IKntdYG8tFVSrvBS8sybbUYM3ml04cF3d 1aMc9sHrji/7image.jpg.scaled.500.jpg
http://i.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/topic-frontend/0/6/0/83060_v1.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R85tFOhycSQ/TY8wumroHmI/AAAAAAAAAcI/JH8VK0ogWio/s1600/ws3.jpg

And if these are any of my fellow Boolliteer's I apologize in advance.


SHUT THE DOOR!!! I'm glad I don't frequent Walmart!!

[Uncle Grinch]

Well don't go to Walmart - you'll apt to want to pluck your eyeballs out. :shock:

http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/realthinktank/m7fTGprn1S2ziO9L3IKntdYG8tFVSrvBS8sybbUYM3ml04cF3d 1aMc9sHrji/7image.jpg.scaled.500.jpg
http://i.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/topic-frontend/0/6/0/83060_v1.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R85tFOhycSQ/TY8wumroHmI/AAAAAAAAAcI/JH8VK0ogWio/s1600/ws3.jpg

And if these are any of my fellow Boolliteer's I apologize in advance.


SHUT THE DOOR!!... I'm glad I don't frequent Walmart.

[Uncle Grinch]

Boy... those pics really upset me. Sorry for the double post.

[beagle]

They're available from Snap-On as special order. We bought a bunch about 5 years back./beagle


I suppose these are no longer available, but i have used "cannon plug" pliers on dies and die nuts for 50 + years --
I liberated them from USN custody -
For the youngers, "cannon plug" pliers are similar to channel lock or water pump pliers, but have curvered hard rubber covered jaw.
my tuppence

[Longwood]

There are Canon plug pliers on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150838409635?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[BRobertson]

Aluminum AN wrenches,

used for aircraft fuel and hydraulic lines

You can get a fairly complete set from Summit Racing

for reasonable prices

They are nice cause they won't damage your nuts!!!!!!!!!


Bob

[alamogunr]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We just got back from vacation(if there is such a thing if you're retired) and I went to Lowe's and picked up one of these. Only used it to try it out but I think it might be just what I was looking for.


My Lowe's sells these:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=248566-943-06012&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3284786&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

[Hamish]

Can anyone recommend a product that will get puke out of a keyboard?

[err.gray]

3O year helicopter mechanic here, I gotta agree with Longwood. Crescent wrench, seems like one with an inch and a half jaw will do just fine for you. If they're outta SAE ones(standard) a metric one that opens to 37 mm should do the same trick.

[NSP64]

I suppose these are no longer available,

Nope, still available. I still use them on cannon plugs.

Not the one in my avitar, but on aircraft. LOL

Knipex makes a smooth jawed cressant style wrench.
I also use a FORD wrench.

[alamogunr]

As I reported earlier, I picked up one of these at Lowe's:
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=248566-943-06012&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3284786&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

It works OK on lock rings but not on the collets that hold the decapping rod in place. My experience has been that you need to lean on that to keep the rod from being pushed back into the die. It works fine on the locknut.

I had to use the correct size wrench to loosen the boolet seating stem since I had tightened it more than necessary. The pliers work on it now.

In general, these pliers work great after I got over trying to torque everything to bolt specs. Now everything is more than finger tight but with the exception mentioned above, not too tight. The plastic on the jaws prevents too much tightening.

[guidogoose]

The new female DIY crowd sure has improved the senery at the hardware box stores. I often forget what I went for, but that gives me a reason to go back.

You ain't lying! I go to my local Menards just for the cashiers!

[guidogoose]

Well don't go to Walmart - you'll apt to want to pluck your eyeballs out. :shock:

http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/realthinktank/m7fTGprn1S2ziO9L3IKntdYG8tFVSrvBS8sybbUYM3ml04cF3d 1aMc9sHrji/7image.jpg.scaled.500.jpg
http://i.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/topic-frontend/0/6/0/83060_v1.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R85tFOhycSQ/TY8wumroHmI/AAAAAAAAAcI/JH8VK0ogWio/s1600/ws3.jpg

And if these are any of my fellow Boolliteer's I apologize in advance.

Sir, next time can you please post some sort of warning before posting pics like this? Some of us WERE trying to eat lunch.