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Wrench for 5C collet block nut

trlvn

trlvn

Ultra Member
This should NOT be this hard!

I bought a used 5C collet block set* (square & hex) via Kijiji last year but only got the 5C collets this spring. Went to use it for the first time today. Realized that collet block set didn't include a spanner wrench and I don't have a proper one.

Between KBC, Amazon, Shars and a few others, I can't seem to find the right thing. The nut is 1.675 in dia (42.6 mm). The holes for the pin are round and approximately 0.210 in dia (5.3 mm). The holes are shallow and have a somewhat rounded bottom. I take it this is the typical nut used on import collet block sets.

Where can I find an appropriate wrench?

Craig
* The set does come with a 'quick close' nut that is locked with a cam. I couldn't get that very tight--I could still twist the part in the collet after tightening it.
 
Its a common complaint. Look for something called hook wrench. But others have found issues there too. Expensive. Or the body ID & pin diameter don't match the nut. It might be more expedient & cheaper to make one.

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Hook wrenches come in as a size range, you won't find the exact size, it would be like a 42-44mm size wrench as an example

They are pretty cheap on Ali, no so much on amazon,

...but they are quite easy to make, just some plain old 1/4 flat bar and a piece of round bar, or a bolt small enough to fit in the hole
 
I need one too. I was thinking that i'd turn a ring to fit the od of the nut, something thick enough, and drill radially in for a pin (broken drill bit?) and weld a handle on.

an er25 wrench is almost a perfect fit with a little filing on the pin to make it roundish.
 
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PeterT said:
Its a common complaint. Look for something called hook wrench.
Click to expand...
Some of the ads (Chinese and Chinese via Amazon) that I've scanned call the type with the rectangular lug a hook wrench (or spanner) and the type with the round lug/pin a pin wrench/spanner. So it's best to try different search terms. I've bought a couple of different ones recently for spindle collars on my lathes. Neither of them anywhere as nice as @YotaBota 's though.
 
Normally, I'd be pretty much all-in on another side project...but somehow I'm not feeling it this time. I'd like to just buy a dang wrench!

I went down the AliExpress rabbit hole and could not find the right combination of outer diameter and pin size. All the ones in the appropriate outer diameter seemed to have a 6mm pin where mine requires a 5 mm pin.

Some of the big US supply houses (Grainger, MSCDirect) seem to have what I need but I'm looking at USD $50+. Ouch.

The hunt continues.

Craig
 
trlvn said:
Normally, I'd be pretty much all-in on another side project...but somehow I'm not feeling it this time. I'd like to just buy a dang wrench!

I went down the AliExpress rabbit hole and could not find the right combination of outer diameter and pin size. All the ones in the appropriate outer diameter seemed to have a 6mm pin where mine requires a 5 mm pin.

Some of the big US supply houses (Grainger, MSCDirect) seem to have what I need but I'm looking at USD $50+. Ouch.

The hunt continues.

Craig
Click to expand...

Make 5mm pin into 1/4 in pin and problem solved.
 
OK, I think I found one that is going to work:

GearWrench 81862 WR ADJ SPNR PIN 1-1/4"-3"(3/16" Dia) : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

GearWrench 81862 WR ADJ SPNR PIN 1-1/4"-3"(3/16" Dia) : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement
www.amazon.ca

It is a GearWrench product so not completely unheard of. $60 with shipping and tax so I can live with that. A great number of the import wrenches that I was looking at were not going to be delivered until the end of September or early October. This one is supposed to be delivered by Sept 4.

Craig
 
trlvn said:
OK, I think I found one that is going to work:

GearWrench 81862 WR ADJ SPNR PIN 1-1/4"-3"(3/16" Dia) : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

GearWrench 81862 WR ADJ SPNR PIN 1-1/4"-3"(3/16" Dia) : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement
www.amazon.ca

It is a GearWrench product so not completely unheard of. $60 with shipping and tax so I can live with that. A great number of the import wrenches that I was looking at were not going to be delivered until the end of September or early October. This one is supposed to be delivered by Sept 4.

Craig
Click to expand...

Always pay attention and read the ratings, owner reviews don't lie. Just saying!
 
trlvn said:
OK, I think I found one that is going to work:
Click to expand...

I have a four piece set like that.

They work ok, but I sometimes find I need to hold the end arm in place with my fingers as I rotate the handle. Even then, it sometimes pops off.

As the years have raced by, I have collected a few fixed jaw wrenches that came with various chucks and collets that work much better.

That one should work for you, but based on my experience, I'd be planning to make or buy a fixed jaw wrench at some future time.
 
Dusty said:
Always pay attention and read the ratings, owner reviews don't lie. Just saying!
Click to expand...

I am not sure what you are saying here Dusty. It sounds like sarcasm but maybe not.

Regardless, I don't really trust user reviews unless there are LOTS of them. Even then, I remain skeptical.

Sellers pay people or use employees to post fake positive reviews.

Clueless idiots post negative reviews.

I pay most attention to the ones in the middle who provide balanced feedback.

On the other hand, it's pretty safe to conclude that a thousand good reviews is a good product and a thousand bad reviews is a bad one.
 
Dusty said:
Always pay attention and read the ratings, owner reviews don't lie. Just saying!
Click to expand...
I did read the reviews. One of the guys that busted his admitted to using a cheater bar. The pin is only 3/6" diameter--what the heck did he expect?!? I'll inspect mine carefully and return it if there is anything I don't like.

I should mention that I have a set of GearWrench ratchet-sockets. Really like them.

Craig
 
Dusty said:
Always pay attention and read the ratings, owner reviews don't lie. Just saying!
Click to expand...

In defence of Dusty's comments, there was no intent on my part to be sarcastic, show ill will or reticule any members choice of tooling. Said comments were simply mentioned as a heads up for all to read between the lines, make common sense informed decisions and nothing else.

Believe it's time for old Dusty to keep my mouth shut and fly under the radar. Enough said!
 
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Dusty said:
In defence of Dusty's comments, there was no intent on my part to be sarcastic or reticule any members choice of tooling. Said comments were simply mentioned as a heads up for all to read between the lines, make common sense informed decisions and nothing else.

Believe it's time for old Dusty to keep my mouth shut and fly under the radar. Enough said!
Click to expand...

Regardless of sarcasm or intent, I certainly wasn't offended and I doubt anyone else was. I was just trying to figure out what you were really saying. I'm old and often get confused about such things - Especially with my wife.

Keep smiling and keep flying above the radar!

Besides, if everyone else ducks, I'm a dead one!
 
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