Wrench for very large packing nut and locking nut

[redbopeep]

OK, its always something. Even the biggest monkey wrench we've got is too small for for the packing nut on this boat. By measurement, it seems the locking nut is 3-1/2" and the main packing nut is 3-7/16". The adjustable wrench sold via West goes up to 3". Anybody know of an adjustable packing nut wrench that doesn't cost a fortune that will handle the larger sizes?

[MiddleAgesMan]

Have a couple cut out of plate steel by a machine shop. They could be pretty crude, the only critical feature being the exact size of the jaws. These would also have the advantage of being much lighter than a pair of large adjustable wrenches. I'm thinking 3/8 or 1/2 inch plate would do the trick.

[Canoez]

See if you can find a repair shop that works on LARGE trucks. They usually have the type of hardware that you are looking for. You might be able to borrow what you need for a short time.

There is a shop nearby that was very generous with lending out tools, but you had to secure them by leaving your credit card number in case the tools disappeared. They even had socket sets with sockets the size of large coffee cups!

[redbopeep]

I'm scrounging around the boatyard right now looking for something to do the job. I've got some 3/8" thickx6" wide x60" aluminum plate left over from a project that maybe, maybe could do it. Don't have any steel laying around. Maybe double up the aluminum....

Always something, always something.

Could modify the rack/handle of the monkey wrench so it goes just a little farther...

[htom]

A local farm equipment dealer's shop will have them, too.

[boylesboats]

several large pipewrenches should do the job

[Hughman]

yeah, go with the flat steel pair-you'll need two, if there's a lock nut. generally, there's not enough room for a pipe wrench, let alone two of them.

Some quality time with a hacksaw will fix it up.

[kc8pql]

I use a pair of these. Adjustable slip nut wrenches. Find cheap ones at the big box, good ones at plumbing supply houses.

http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/198010_front200.jpg

[Concordia...41]

I use a pair of these. Adjustable slip nut wrenches. Find cheap ones at the big box, good ones at plumbing supply houses.

http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/198010_front200.jpg

The problem is those don't open wide enough. I just checked our big honking 24" crescent wrench and it only has a 2 7/16" opening...

I'd say rent something, but this is a tool (set) you'll need so the time investment to make something will pay off ten fold...

Keep after it and you'll be posting launch pictures soon! :)

Cheers!

- M

[MiddleAgesMan]

I kept a one of those gizmos on one of my boats, can't recall if it was the Alberg or the Gazelle. My recollection is the things had barely enough UMPHHH to turn my smallish packing nuts, probably half the size of Redbopeeps. When you put some real force on them they spring a little and slip a little and suddenly they're off and your knuckles are bruised or bleeding.

They may open wide enough but they won't be much help with nuts that haven't been moved in a few years, especially big ones.

[redbopeep]

I actually have a couple of pipe wrenches big enough. But its bronze (the nut) and pipe wrenches are angled such that the jaws require the little "teeth" along the wrench to sorta dig into the nut. I'd prefer not to chew it up. Plus, I'd like to keep the wrenches on the boat and don't see doing that with my big pipe wrenches.

I see a few monkey wrenches on Ebay that are bigger than the 12" one I have--and mine is almost big enough--so I could get one of those and mod the rack on mine to make it open just a little bigger. .. Monkey wrenches are cool but clunky, though. They are like pipe wrenches but have close to parallel jaws and don't have the teeth that eat up the nut.

I don't have to tighten this up for a few weeks at minimum so have time to make something if I don't find something. Buck Algonquin makes fixed size ones but their sizes go from 3-1/4" (too small) to 3-13/16" (too big).

[JimConlin]

This? (http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103469687)

http://www.cooperhandtools.com/_cache/15cfb99f51951112f3d5457cf0b2d519.jpg

[redbopeep]

Jim, in a pinch that would do it--we have a couple, one little one from Matco and a bigger one from a plumbing supply place--but they have teeth that grab on and eat the bronze too. I must admit, sometimes the only thing that will work is something with teeth like that but I'd like to try to keep my 80 year old packing nut looking as good as it does now.

[SMARTINSEN]

Jim Conlin you beat me to it.

The 16" Channelock waterpump pliers have a capacity of 14-1/2"
They cost about $24.00https://www.hardwareworld.com/files/pi/l3/S/10KB.jpg

[redbopeep]

Jim Conlin you beat me to it.

The 16" Channelock waterpump pliers have a capacity of 14-1/2"
They cost about $24.00https://www.hardwareworld.com/files/pi/l3/S/10KB.jpg

Hey, do you have a pair? Don't they have the same little teeth that I'm trying to avoid?

[redbopeep]

I kept a one of those gizmos on one of my boats, can't recall if it was the Alberg or the Gazelle. My recollection is the things had barely enough UMPHHH to turn my smallish packing nuts, probably half the size of Redbopeeps. When you put some real force on them they spring a little and slip a little and suddenly they're off and your knuckles are bruised or bleeding.

They may open wide enough but they won't be much help with nuts that haven't been moved in a few years, especially big ones.

Yea, I was wondering about how well those things special made for packing nuts actually work. Not much of a moment arm there and I figured they could open up.

Similarly, I have a very hard time using something like channel lock pliers which require MY strength to keep them on the nut (unless they have the nasty little teeth! to help out).

[Concordia...41]

Put a piece of t-shirt or rag where the jaws meet the nut and turn away.

As far as tightening things goes, this is a medium pressure thing and a little bit of rag will protect the packing nut so it won't get chewed up by the little force necessary to bring the jaws tight.

[Paul Fitzgerald]

Hey, do you have a pair? Don't they have the same little teeth that I'm trying to avoid?

Put some duct tape or masking tape over the teeth

[redbopeep]

Put a piece of t-shirt or rag where the jaws meet the nut and turn away.

As far as tightening things goes, this is a medium pressure thing and a little bit of rag will protect the packing nut so it won't get chewed up by the little force necessary to bring the jaws tight.

Is it really something that requires not much force? Somehow I look at that big nut and think, oh, no :confused:

I've chewed up plenty of plumbing fittings on my house radiator system and plumbing system (with channel locks :( and pipe wrenches). There's a reason that certain tools have those little teeth--they need them to do the job if some wimpy person (like me) is doing the work. Other tools (like old fashioned monkey wrenches or some of the crescent wrenches (or whatever you call those wrenches with parallel jaws that are smooth) are smooth but have nice long handles to get a good moment arm on the nut. I'm thinking I need to go measure how much room is really there for any tool with a long arm. Even the channel locks take quite some space.

[Gary E]

A Tshirt will do nothing to stop the teeth from biting the bronze, and the T shirt stands a good chance of wrapping around a turning shaft and causing a lot of trouble..

Instead, cut a length off of an old worn out leather belt, and use rubber bands to secure the leather to the pliars jaws.

Better is to get a proper open end wrench... makes the job easy and it's done safely.

[MiddleAgesMan]

It's not quite like what we learned about avoiding pliers when we needed to tighten up the bolts on our bicycles. A smooth-jawed wrench of the proper size is to be preferred but the sort of nicks you'll leave on the flats of a very large packing nut ain't no big thang, IMO. You won't ruin that nut by rounding the corners in a lifetime of service. Padding the jaws might work but if you have to get really serious the padding will either make the wrench slip off or will be perforated by the teeth anyway.

BTW--I think there's a typo in the post above about the capacity of 16 inch waterpump pliers. I might buy 4 1/2 inches but not 14 1/2. ;)

[Concordia...41]

Well, I didn't think about (nor plan) on tightening a nut on a moving shaft :eek:

The face of the jaws of the pipe wrench meeting the sides of the nut should be spot on. And when the right (level) force meets the nut, it should turn. Additional force squeezing the wrench down on the nut is a waste, and when things go wrong (not that they ever do on a boat....) then that's when the wrench slips and the nut gets rounded off.

It's kind of like removing a screw. If you have the right size screwdriver in at a 90 degree angle to the screw, you coax the screw out by light turns. Extra pressure doesn't help and is actually counter productive.

I'll have some pictures in a minute, I'm saving and erasing a card now.

[FSS172]

If there's enough room for the jaws of the channel locks, how about grinding the teeth off? In fact I'm guessing you could grind an angle into the jaws that would engage the corners of the nut enough to grip it without chewing it up. You'd be turning it into a special purpose tool, but you might find other uses for it....

[redbopeep]

Well, I didn't think about (nor plan) on tightening a nut on a moving shaft :eek:

The face of the jaws of the pipe wrench meeting the sides of the nut should be spot on. And when the right (level) force meets the nut, it should turn. Additional force squeezing the wrench down on the nut is a waste, and when things go wrong (not that they ever do on a boat....) then that's when the wrench slips and the nut gets rounded off.

It's kind of like removing a screw. If you have the right size screwdriver in at a 90 degree angle to the screw, you coax the screw out by light turns. Extra pressure doesn't help and is actually counter productive.

I'll have some pictures in a minute, I'm saving and erasing a card now.

I totally agree--if things are the right size and correct angle to the nut. Pipe wrenches have non-parallel faces. Channel locks the same. The big wrenches with parallel faces (whatever they're called) I don't have "big enough" for this thing. The monkey wrench can be modified to be made big enough.

I think I'll go hunt down some pics too.

[Concordia...41]

Well first of all, we need to clarify...

OK, on the right is what I thought was a crescent wrench, but which an English chap that used to work for me consistently called a "spanner." It's actually a Peterson wrench. My mom's family is from Nebraska and I had two cousins work at the Peterson wrench factory, but if I ask anyone to hand me a Peterson wrench I just get a blank stare, so I just gave up. Plus, they got bought out by the Vise-Grip folks, and I think the whole plant is closed now, but I digress... :rolleyes:

In this picture, what I thought was a channel lock pliers, actually says "Crescent" on the red handle :confused:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8ce09b3127ccec52c86b9dd6f00000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

You can see from the size of the whateveritis on the right (24" 'Crescent wrench' with an opening of 2 7/16") is huge!

The channel locks will be a little more maneuverable, but she's worried about scaring the nut so the teeth should be padded (or filed down) just enough so that they don't gouge the bronze.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8ce09b3127ccec52de820fd8d00000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

[redbopeep]

Pipe wrench jaws are not parallel:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/35/Pipe_wrench_patent.JPG/104px-Pipe_wrench_patent.JPG

Monkey wrench w/parallel jaws on left (another pipe wrench on right):

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Monkey_and_Stillson_wrenches.png/300px-Monkey_and_Stillson_wrenches.png

Buck Algonquin (wrong size) packing box wrench

http://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com/images/productimages/packingboxwrench.jpg

Crescent wrench (parallel jaws) also note link below it to pricing for the big ones which may or may not be big enough...
http://contractorstools.com/graphics_c/crescent_org_bl.jpg
http://contractorstools.com/crescent.html

Channel locks (can possible get rid of the teeth):

http://zo-d.com/stuff/images/channel-lock-pliers-s.jpg

Offset Hex Wrench (what I'd love to have but it's not big enough either...): )

http://zo-d.com/stuff/images/offset-hex-wrench-s.jpg

[Concordia...41]

I think the "crescent" wrench with the teeth filed is your best bet, and boy was I ever surprised to see our large one priced at $169 when I was trying to figure out what I was talking about before posting...

[redbopeep]

given all the choices--I can make something that looks like the Buck Algonquin tool-- OR I can modify some channel locks (by getting rid of the teeth and maybe grinding them so they fit exactly onto my particular sizes needed.

[Concordia...41]

FWIW, what does that pretty Buck Algonquin dedicated packing box wrench set a person back?

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I'm for the idea of cutting a couple out of plate steel. Find a shop with CNC plasma cutter, and they could do it in minutes. They make these CNC cutters now in a table top style, so a lot of shops have them. Make a pattern up in cardboard, then specify the nut size. You would only have to do this once.

I have an adjustable wrench large enough for my packing glands, and they are not in a hard to get at place.

[kc8pql]

I kept a one of those gizmos on one of my boats, can't recall if it was the Alberg or the Gazelle. My recollection is the things had barely enough UMPHHH to turn my smallish packing nuts, probably half the size of Redbopeeps. When you put some real force on them they spring a little and slip a little and suddenly they're off and your knuckles are bruised or bleeding.


My pair open 3 3/4", were made by Crescent and work just fine on the 3 1/4" and 3 1/2" nuts on my stuffing box. Look around. They aren't all cheap chinese made.

http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/198010_front200.jpg

[AstoriaDave]

I found "pump wrenches" at the local industrial supply store, but I am sure they do not go up to 3 inches in capacity.

By far, the best suggestion is fab a couple of correct-fitting open end "wrenches" from quarter inch plate steel and use those. Model the outline on that mongo "Petersen" wrench, and run the handle out eighteen inches or so. That should be plenty for the packing nut and the lock nut. These things do not need to be bull tight. they are only holding the packing in place, and if they are locked together, they won't come loose. Put a little marine grease on the threads and the contact surfaces and they will be good forever.

[prestonbriggs]

FWIW, what does that pretty Buck Algonquin dedicated packing box wrench set a person back?

About $50.

Preston

[SMARTINSEN]

BTW--I think there's a typo in the post above about the capacity of 16 inch waterpump pliers. I might buy 4 1/2 inches but not 14 1/2. ;)

Yes, obviously. I was going to edit, but reading further down, I am glad that you caught it.

Yes it does have the teeth. I am thinking that instead of the rag trick to shield the teeth, you might try placing a metal shim along the lands of the nut, and let them get grunged up rather than the packing nut. Would you be able to get a good enough bite?

The advantage of the Channellocks over some of the other competitors, is that they are made in the good old U S of A.

[SV Papillon]

Offset Hex Wrench (what I'd love to have but it's not big enough either...): )

http://zo-d.com/stuff/images/offset-hex-wrench-s.jpg[/QUOTE]

Off set hexs are sized similar to pipe wrenches and availble in a large number of sizes, two bigger ones are what you need.

[redbopeep]

My pair open 3 3/4", were made by Crescent and work just fine on the 3 1/4" and 3 1/2" nuts on my stuffing box. Look around. They aren't all cheap chinese made.

http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/198010_front200.jpg

First--what is this called and where did you get it--since yours is bigger than the ones at the marine stores?

Second, while doing a search on "crescent spud wrench" I found this which is like my beloved monkey wrench but this one comes bigger! The 15" one would work...I think... Now I just look to see if I actually have room for it or not...

http://www.hanessupply.com/store/product.asp?catid=116&prodid=776


http://www.hanessupply.com/store/images/tha62179.jpg

[ssor]

Hammering a piece of copper over the jaws of the channel lock pliers would serve to shield the nut from the teeth. There will be less chance of slipping if your purpose made wrenches are flare nut pattern with five flats instead of four.

[S B]

Is there room enough to set a bar clamp on the nut? if there is , an old steel one might do.

[Ian McColgin]

Most adjustable wrenches have jaws that are not deep enough even if they can be stretched to wide enough. The adjustable monkey wrench as shown by redbopeep is unlikely to work even if big enough as the space under most stuffing boxes is limited.

Two things have worked for me in a hard pinch. There's an oil filter wrench that has an adjustable dacron strap rather than the usual one size stainless band. Even better, ViceGrip makes a unit with a bicycle chain connection. Get that number around the nut, slip a bit of pipe over the handle part with the adjusting screw, and give it a little norweegansteam.

On the other hand, you have the boat. Get at least one wrench that really fits.

G'luck

[dhic001]

I'd make one, but if you aren't prepared to do that, go and find a local heavy engineering firm and ask them about it, They'll have suppliers of tools of that sort who will be able to supply such a thing. Large wrenchs/spanners are available, its just not a common thing you'll find in your local hardware shop.

Daniel

[The Bigfella]

I made one - took about 15 minutes.

Get a lump of 1/2" steel plate and an angle grinder. Cut the 1/2 nut shape out with the angle grinder. Weld on a tube handle. Done

[redbopeep]

I made one - took about 15 minutes.

Get a lump of 1/2" steel plate and an angle grinder. Cut the 1/2 nut shape out with the angle grinder. Weld on a tube handle. Done

Making it seems the most likely thing that would work. The very large tools cost ridiculously more than it would be to just put in a new bronze buck algonquin packing box and buying their spanner to fit :(

I hate that angle grinder, btw--but I must admit that hubby does most the "heavy" stuff and this little project is something that I can actually do. I'll leave the lugging around of big things to him, though :)

[Gary E]

Hammering a piece of copper over the jaws of the channel lock pliers would serve to shield the nut from the teeth. There will be less chance of slipping if your purpose made wrenches are flare nut pattern with five flats instead of four.

I like your copper idea... could be made from a few inches of 1/2 or 3/4 water pipe... Flatten it and bend it over the sides of the pliars jaws...

[Ron Williamson]

Actually,if you flatten the pipe just a bit,you can get the jaw inside of it.Then beat on it ,gently for a custom fit.
R

[Paul Scheuer]

If you ever do get them off, you could think about drilling a small recess in several of the faces and using a custom spanner wrench.

[BrianM]

Two things have worked for me in a hard pinch. There's an oil filter wrench that has an adjustable dacron strap rather than the usual one size stainless band. Even better, ViceGrip makes a unit with a bicycle chain connection. Get that number around the nut, slip a bit of pipe over the handle part with the adjusting screw, and give it a little norweegansteam.


I second Ians' advice on a Strap Wrench. Usually made from aluminum, and can be used on ANY diameter in a pinch. If you have space to swing it, you can grip most any geometry and develop some pretty amazing grip.
http://www.leonsupply.cc/strapwrench.jpg

The Pipefitters I work with are never without this universal tool.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

I'd make one....

Daniel

This sounds like the "Immersion Heater Problem" where you have a whacking great nut but it doesn't really take a huge amount of torque.

First time I needed to move one I borrowed a 4" stilsons - that's an adjustable wrench with a 4" opening and a 30" handle - not a delicate bit of kit.

Then I found the proper answer
http://www.newtooleng.co.uk/dyn/productGroup_36.jpg
http://www.newtooleng.co.uk/Immersion_Heater_Spanners/3

These are stamped from steel perhaps three sixteenths thick.

Easy to make if you know how to mark out an accurate hexagon.

If hand strength is insufficient - then a lump hammer is pressed into service.

There is a version of the strap wrench that uses a length of chain as the strap - never had one work on a tough job but they look like they might.

[Jim Ledger]

[quote=P.I. Stazzer-Newt;1993592

There is a version of the strap wrench that uses a length of chain as the strap - never had one work on a tough job but they look like they might.

[/quote]

You might be talking about one of these. Very handy for pipe in close quarters, but likely to bugger up a bronze lock nut. It might be overkill for this situation, so far it's been overkill for every situation, but one of these days....


http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m193/searover1916/chainwrench.jpg

[The Bigfella]

C'mon guys - what is needed is a simple solution for a simple problem - build a tool to do the job - it only takes 15 minutes.

[Jim Ledger]

What, the chain wrench is no good?:confused:

[The Bigfella]

Damn sight dearer to do

[Tylerdurden]

I use one of these for most large packing nuts in boats.

http://www.coastaltool.com/hand_tools/ridgid/images/basin_wrench.jpg

31180 1019 Telescoping Basin Rigid tools













The model number listed will do 2 1/2' pipe including unions and packing nuts. Order from you plumbing supply house. It will get any angle including 90's with a telescoping handle.

Next stop is a chain wrench.
http://www.coastaltool.com/hand_tools/ridgid/images/chain_wrench.jpg
Not nearly as versatile

After that you can find specific stamped wrenches for you size at the same supply house. They are cheap but cannot handle to much torque.

[The Bigfella]

Like I said. Make one

[mobjack68]

Disassemble your biggest "crescent" wrench, as in, remove the screw that holds the thumb wheel in place, slide the movable jaw out and using your steadiest hand and an angle grinder?? cut another (or two) teeth into the jaw...??

[Tom Robb]

"Make one"
Finastkind advice.

[outofthenorm]

I think this is the tool you're looking for. It's called a "Packing Gland Wrench". or "Hook Wrench". This one is for disassembling a Browning machine gun, Available Here (http://www.bmgparts.com/water.html), but it would be easy to make one up exactly to size. I have one on board. Works a charm. The little lug at the bottom hooks over one of the "tabs" on the nut and the upper bit makes contact with another "tab" about 1/3 of the way around the nut. Tremendous leverage and no slip. Make the handle any shape or length you need.

http://www.bmgparts.com/products/A1526391M.jpg

Here's another one (http://www.steritool.com/tools/Adj_hook_spanner.htm), adjustable, made from stainless steel

http://www.steritool.com/images/product/10224.jpg
- Norm

[py]

Haul the boat, remove planks on both sides adjacent to the packing gland. probably 3 or 4 planks each side to ensure good access. Then you can get a decent measurement with a micrometer. Take the measurement to a machine shop, get a perfect custom spanner made, and best get it chrome plated so's it doesn't rust. Seriously, what the bigfella said. Steel, angle grinder, welder, 15 minutes. Or a cheap oil filter wrench. Bite the bullet here, you can do it.

[John B]

adjustable clamps, C clamps, f clamps ,clamping clamp clamps ...... get a clamp and some packing for clearance, hell , I carried a light aluminium vice ( clamp on steroids)aboard for years and I used that as a spanner before now.

[Tylerdurden]

Talk about making something out of nothing. I haven't had a boat I could not replace the packing in yet using a large basin wrench.

[redbopeep]

Talk about making something out of nothing. I haven't had a boat I could not replace the packing in yet using a large basin wrench.

cough, cough... guess you haven't had large prop shafts and packing nuts? ;) Do you realize how large this thing is? This nut is about the size of an oil filter...not a plumbing fitting. Most things you can buy off the shelf seem to be made for fittings up to about 2-1/2". We've got a nice, large, basin wrench which doesn't go close to the 3-1/2" that it needs to for this packing nut. Now, I'd love to hear that you've got one sufficiently large--and where it can be procured? :confused:

In the meanwhile, I've decided to just make one for the lock nut and to use either a modified clamp for the actual packing nut or go ahead and get a (different than I have now) strap type oil filter wrench that can be dual purpose for the oil filters on the boat and for this

Will post pics next week :)

[Tylerdurden]

cough, cough... guess you haven't had large prop shafts and packing nuts? ;) Do you realize how large this thing is? This nut is about the size of an oil filter...not a plumbing fitting. Most things you can buy off the shelf seem to be made for fittings up to about 2-1/2". We've got a nice, large, basin wrench which doesn't go close to the 3-1/2" that it needs to for this packing nut. Now, I'd love to hear that you've got one sufficiently large--and where it can be procured? :confused:

In the meanwhile, I've decided to just make one for the lock nut and to use either a modified clamp for the actual packing nut or go ahead and get a (different than I have now) strap type oil filter wrench that can be dual purpose for the oil filters on the boat and for this

Will post pics next week :)


What is the shaft size? If its too large for a basin wrench then you can order a specialty wrench. When we built the 53' to 65' sportfishermen we provided packing wrenches from these guys with a custom bracket to hold them.
http://www.foreandaftmarine.com/379-PBW125.htm

[outofthenorm]

Redbopeep - I don't think you're paying attention.;) The wrench I posted above is MADE for exactly that job on EXACTLY that kind and size of nut. It's available for gland nuts up to 10 INCHES across and you can buy one for about $35 at any industrial tool supply place. No need to re-invent anything. Just google "hook wrench" and you're done.

- Norm

[redbopeep]

Norm--does that really work? I've seen these before but must admit that I question their ability to do the job--you say you use it on your boat though...hummm. I can see myself having it fall off the nut time and again. Some of us are clumsier than others, you know?

Tylerdurden--I originally looked at those Buck Algonquin wrenches that you linked to. They don't come in the right size (our nuts are 3-1/2" and 3-7/16") but are made for the Buck packing boxes. I just plan on making one like one of these if I make one, btw. Seems right.

News update--We have way, way, way more tools than I thought. And just think, there's a whole bunch more back in our storage unit in Maryland :p . Hubby just showed me a Rigid strap wrench that we own (used it on the radiator system on the house) which looks like it will just make it round the 3-7/16" packing nut :D.

Now, just need that lock nut tool which I'll be happy to make over the weekend or early next week. I need to get our metal cutting bandsaw up and running since I want to use it for the project. Hey, didn't I say "always something" ???

[Tylerdurden]

Its tough guessing, I never had one so big as not to handle it with some tool. With the large basin I can do some very large nuts on unions. It just catches a face.

[Gary E]

(our nuts are 3-1/2" and 3-7/16")

You could make the wrench fit the 3 1/2 and use a 1/16 shim for the smaller nut,

[outofthenorm]

My recco of the hook wrench was made on an assumption that may be faulty - I was assuming that you had this style of nut to deal with, mostly because there are so many ways to deal with a regular hex nut.

http://web.mac.com/outofthenorm/iWeb/Site%202/Photos_files/100_0229.jpg

If it is a large hex nut, one very easy solution is to drill one or more carefully sized holes in the side of it and insert pieces of bar stock to use as levers. I once removed a 2/12 inch gland nut from a pump that way using 2 one-foot bars.

- Norm